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School raids science cupboards to send goggles and rubber gloves to in-need hospital

A school is raiding its science cupboards and sending anything of use to its local hospital to help battle against the equipment shortage brought on by the coronavirus outbreak. 

Huntington School in York will send “well over 100 pairs of goggles” and “as many rubber gloves as we can get hold of” to York Hospital following a plea from a parent who works there as a nurse. 

Headteacher John Tomsett admitted it “does feel like war effort stuff” but the school was keen to help the local community any way it could. 

The nurse had mentioned to her child the hospital was running low on goggles due to the high demands of battling coronavirus. 

Tomsett said: “Her child mentioned we had loads of those at school so she sent over an email – we just thought what a great idea.

“What’s the point of us having the resources in our science prep room for months when they are short at the hospital – we are happy to help.”

The headteacher explained the science department is “sending anything they think will be useful” including personal protective equipment like goggles and rubber gloves, along with items such as sterile syringes.

Last month it was revealed Waltham St Lawrence Primary School, in Berkshire, is sending medical supplies to China in a bid to aid Chinese pen pals impacted by the virus.

On Monday schools across England will close to all but the children of “key workers” and vulnerable pupils. 

But headteachers were forced to wait until almost midnight on Thursday to be told which children will be eligible to continue attending schools.

Tomsett said it had been a “chaotic week”, working past midnight each night and then rising again at 5am the next day “constantly briefing parents and teachers”. 

At the time of writing deaths caused by COVID-19 in the UK had risen to 144 – with 3,269 testing positive. 

Due to the dangers, Tomsett said he has also been “hard-nosed” on the usual rites of passage for departing year 11 pupils such as shirt signings and book signings. 

The practice has been banned at the school to help stop the spread of the virus. 

Additionally, this afternoon’s farewell assembly for year 11 pupils will not only wish them well but warn them of the dangers of coronavirus and the need to adhere to government guidance.

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