SCHOOL may be shut for the majority of pupils, but that hasn’t stopped staff at a Basingstoke secondary school from 'showing what humanity can do' to help the Covid-19 response.

Teachers at the Costello School have been volunteering their time, donating to charity and delivering items to vulnerable residents, while staff in the technology department have been busy making plastic face shields for frontline NHS workers.

The school remains open for pupils of key workers, as well as those who are most vulnerable, with blend of IT lessons, art, PE and wellbeing activities being offered.

For those that are learning from home, more than 3,000 pieces of work have been set and supported, and headteacher Randall Jull says the response from pupils has been “amazing”.

But he says what has impressed him most is the way staff have stepped up to the plate.

Mr Jull says that as well undertaking their home learning responsibilities, staff have answered the NHS' call for volunteers and are manning phones and visiting homes of those unable to get out.

They have also been supporting the local food bank and making deliveries to hospices and homes, while the school’s caterers, Chartwells, have been helping the school provide meal parcels to families most in need.

Mr Jull added: “The amazing staff in the technology department have also been giving their time, using donations of materials to produce face masks for the NHS, and the school is donating their science Googles.”

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News of the staff’s handiwork was even shared on Radio 4 on Sunday.

Speaking during the daily news bulletin, Miss Young, the school’s curriculum team leader for design and technology, said: “We have been in school for two days and we’ve made 150 face masks.

“I’ve got some going to the children’s ward up at the hospital, I’ve got some going to the Covid-19 ward up at the hospital.

“A nurse up there said that all they’ve got is goggles and paper face masks, so obviously anything that we can provide for people is going to be a massive help.”

Headteacher Mr Jull has shared his pride of all those involved with the school.

“I’m so proud to be able to be part of this community," he said, "to have our wonderful students keen and active despite having their routine thrown up in to the air, our parents who have answered the call, and most of all to my staff who, in a time of crisis, have shown what humanity can do.”