Friday Feature: How schools are coming together to support their wider communities

Schools across the country have been helping their local communities as part of the UK’s fightback against coronavirus. Our Friday round-up aims to provide a little light relief, as we highlight some of the great work schools are engaged in...

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A planned charity fundraising walk took a different turn last weekend, as a pupil and teaching assistant at Claires Court School completed the challenge separately with walkie talkies to support each other through. The fundraising walk was for the National Autistic Society and raised over £1,500.

"I continue to be amazed at the determination of our employees to make a difference during the current crisis. Sobia and her wider families support for some of the most vulnerable children in society, particularly at this time, provides breadth to our understanding of who needs support throughout the year, whatever happens."

--- James Wilding, academic principal at Claires Court

Over the Easter weekend, volunteers at Canford School baked and delivered cupcakes to key workers, the vulnerable and the elderly in their local community.

To show their appreciation for NHS staff, pupils, parents and staff at Solihull Preparatory School have created and delivered personalised goodie bags to frontline healthcare workers. Follow the #NHSstaffrock hashtag on Twitter for more updates on this initiative.

“This is a small gesture which we hope will brighten their day. Our wonderful pupils are kind and creative and I’m delighted that this initiative allows them to harness and amplify both great qualities."

--- Mark Penney, head of Solihull Preparatory School

Nick Dyson, director of creative enterprise at Francis Holland School, Sloane Square, has created Cofight-19, a national campaign designed to bring comfort and support to children and their families during the coronavirus pandemic. Each day for 19 days, creatives from an array of different industries provide valuable resources for parents and young people, ranging from music activities to sports challenges. Read more about this initiative here.

“Cofight-19 is a brilliant initiative bringing individuals and organisations together to promote good mental health at this very difficult time by inviting everyone to collaborate, to get creative, to get active and to #FightTheFear!”

--- Rae Snape, head of Milton Road Primary in Cambridgeshire, a state school benefiting from the campaign

As part of an ongoing drive to provide vital personal protective equipment for NHS workers, Leighton Park School has brought together 18 manufacturing partners to produce thousands of much-needed face shields. Read more here.

“Thank you for your support of Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust with these masks! It really means a lot that people in the community are pulling together!”

--- Andrew Haydon, an A&E nurse

Staff members at St Gabriel's School are also working hard to provide much-needed protective equipment for NHS staff. Mel Hunter, an art and textiles teacher, is making and delivering scrubs to the Royal Berkshire Hospital as part of the Scrub Hub network.

Pupils at Portsmouth High School are using their free time to sew scrubs bags for free for any NHS staff who need them - another example of students' amazing community spirit.