The Design Technology department at Chelmer Valley High School has been part of the herculean effort of providing healthcare workers with PPE during lockdown. What started with a few strips of plastic, a stapler and bit of elastic, has now developed into a full production line utilising two laser cutters and four members of staff. The team are currently focusing on the manufacture of full-face visors, using the design from electronics specialists Kitronik, along with ear guards, but are also branching out into masks, scrubs and scrub bags. They would however, not be able to do this without the kind support of parents and the local community, including Broomfield Primary School, who have been generously donating and purchasing materials to ensure the manufacturing line continues.

The PPE has predominantly been donated to local hospitals and care homes in and around Chelmsford and Colchester, but has also reached healthcare staff in Lincolnshire following a request. With the team working on a rota system, they are able to ensure that a steady supply of visors is available to healthcare workers, and will continue doing so until there is no more need.

Miss Lucking, HOD said,

"I am incredibly proud of the hard work my team are putting in to manufacturing PPE for our wonderful healthcare workers. With the support and donations from parents and the local community it’s been a real team effort. We are in a very fortunate position at Chelmer Valley High School, the Technology department is very well equipped with modern technology and we are able to have all of our laser cutters working simultaneously. I think this unprecedented situation has really highlighted the importance of design technology as a key subject within the curriculum."