School makes PPE for NHS

The Design Technology Department at Simon Balle School have been busy manufacturing protective visors for community nursing teams and other local NHS workers.

Teams based at NHS Hoddesdon Health Centre took delivery of 50 protective visors made by staff at the school in Mangrove Road. 

The highly protective and re-usable items were enthusiastically received by the staff. They will be used by the Community Nursing Teams, GP led Social Prescribing, and volunteer teams doing shopping. 

A further 50 are also being provided for local staff at a newly established NHS "Hot Hub" facility dealing with patients showing signs and symptoms of Covid-19. It is planned to make further batches to support local key workers.

This is on top of the first batch of visors that went to Lister Surgery in Hatfield and also the NICU Special Care for Babies Ward at Barnet General and further batches that went to Enfield Community Services, the Ivel Medical Centre in Biggleswade and even some posted to Northern Ireland for use by key workers.

Head of Design, Jack Andrews said: "Having been inspired by Birchwood High School, we have now perfected our manufacturing process and with a small team can produce 50 visors in under 4 hours. We have also provided Hitchin Girls’ School and Highlands School with examples and processes used and are always looking for ways in which to make the process more efficient."

Both Jack Andrews (Head of Design) and Alison Saunders (Headteacher) are so pleased that the school can make such a difference to its local community and Mrs.Saunders added: "Even in these unusual times where schools are not fully open, we continue to be able to demonstrate our significant role in helping the local community, by using our resources and expertise. I am so proud of what has been achieved and will prove to be an inspiration to our whole community at a time when hope is needed".