Perse DT staff reach major milestone in PPE production for healthcare workers

27 Apr 2020

More than 1,000 face shields have been produced by The Perse design and technology department to help healthcare workers on the front line of the battle against Covid-19.

The availability of PPE (personal protective equipment) has been a major talking point since the coronavirus lockdown, but the school’s DT staff have been doing their bit to support healthcare professionals with the manufacture of NHS-compliant visors over the last few weeks.

The school’s laser cutters, usually used to help pupils prepare practical work, have been used to cut material to make headbands as part of the protective face shield. These visors are fully adjustable, comfortable and can be cleaned in order to be re-used.

Face shields have been delivered to many in need, including Addenbrooke’s Hospital departments, such as oncology and the intensive care unit (ICU) at the Rosie Hospital. Further afield, they have been sent to the baby unit/ICU at Stoke Mandeville Hospital and the ICUs at Charing Cross and St Mary’s Hospitals in London. Some smaller quantities have gone to independent carers, plus residential and care homes for the elderly and disabled.

Perse Head of DT Keith Wilkin said: “This has been a great team effort with departmental staff working hard to make this happen, either in school or, in Miss Bennett’s case, receiving the laser-cut parts to then assemble and deliver locally.

“It has also been great to see the wider school community volunteering to help us, with some past students asking to come in and help. The department is proud to help provide PPE and other equipment – we are used to trying our hand at all things practical.

“A special mention should be made to Turners Art who donated a large quantity of the visor plastic to us and saved us from running out. We cannot thank them enough.”