Portsmouth's Admiral Lord Nelson School makes vital protective face shields for Tops Day Nurseries
A PORTSMOUTH school has been doing its bit to make sure nursery workers are not forgotten when personal protective equipment is being dished out.
Admiral Lord Nelson School is closed to all but key-worker children, and the design and technology department has been using its expertise to produce 1,000 face shields which have been donated to Queen Alexandra Hospital, South Central Ambulance Service and local care homes.
The school this week donated protective visors to Tops Day Nurseries, the south coast’s largest childcare provider.
The chain has branches at Queen Alexandra Hospital and the Lakeside in Cosham, two of the nurseries which have have remained open throughout the coronavirus pandemic to ensure children are cared for while their parents continue to provide vital services.
Managing director, Cheryl Hadland, said: ‘We are extremely grateful for the kind donation from Admiral Lord Nelson School. We would like to say a special thank you to the design and technology department who have been quite clearly going above and beyond to help key workers during this unprecedented time.’
Despite coming into close contact with children, many of whom have parents in the NHS, the government has not identified nurseries as needing PPE.
A statement issued by the nursery said: ‘It’s very difficult to source PPE without impacting on the NHS supplies. However, we believe this donation will help nursery staff feel valued and appreciated and give them the option to protect themselves a little more, which is wonderful.
‘The school have done a fantastic job to make such a large quantity of visors and masks.’
Teachers in the department used the school’s own materials and laser cutter to produce the face shields.
The department’s curriculum leader, Davina Cherry, said: ‘It’s a pleasure to be able to support our community in and around Portsmouth and our ALNS family.’
Some of the funding for materials to make the masks came from local author, Margaret Foster, who donated £200 from the proceeds of her book, Mudlarkers: Memories of Earning a Few Bob in Portsea.