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Taunton School community supporting frontline key workers

In these unusual and unsettling times, it might be difficult to understand how schools are managing, especially in the independent sector. With its vast range and breadth of facilities available, Taunton School has a commitment to serving the community in a way that utilises all it has on offer. 

From the outset of the restrictions, Head of DT, Glyn Bough, decided to lead an initiative to make use of the school 3D printers to make PPE Face Shields for the community. More than 400 have been made and distributed to Musgrove Park Hospital, Southmead Hospital, plus a number of surgeries, pharmacies and care homes in the local area.

Glyn said: “There is a movement within the Design and Technology Departments across the country to help with the Covid-19 pandemic. And, having come from a family that have worked for the NHS for many years I felt we need help in any way we can. We have the machines, and we have the material; so why not? We will make as many as we can. We are also utilising our laser cutting facilities to make alternative versions of visors.”

With the school’s excellent catering facilities and staff experience, the school is currently supplying approximately 60 nutritiously balanced food boxes to Musgrove Park Hospital daily.

These are donated to front line workers and the feedback received has been overwhelming. This is led by Head Chef, Lisa Richards, plus a team of Taunton School staff who are all volunteering their time to come in and (safely distanced) pack the boxes every day.  The plan is to keep this going for as long as possible and small donations towards the cost of supplying these boxes is gratefully welcomed: https://bit.ly/ TSCovidNHS

The school has long supported local nursing home, The Firs, and students during normal term time, volunteer on a regular basis. Over the Easter break the Taunton School community was able to help a call to supply donations of Easter eggs to their residents. In total, they received more than 80 which meant that the hard-working staff as well as the residents were able to enjoy some Easter cheer.

A number of Taunton School parents and students have been supporting ‘Taunton Scrubbers’ – a local group set up to make and supply PPE clothing to our local NHS workers. They have so far donated nearly 3,000 items. They welcome volunteers from all backgrounds so if you are interested in getting involved then visit the Taunton Scrubbers Group on Facebook for more information.

Taunton School is striving to continue its education of students via online platforms and this has been a great success so far. The school’s termly open morning will still go ahead, but digitally instead. ‘Visitors’ can enter the virtual open morning on the school website on Friday, May 8. Visit www.tauntonschool.co.uk.

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