Supporting Frontline Workers
RGS Worcester has been busy supporting the national call for assistance with providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the NHS. The Design and Technology department submitted a design for face visor masks and received the go-ahead to start production. Using the School’s laser cutter, a prototype was made and trialled by an RGS parent who is a medical worker and proved successful. Conversations were had with a surgeon in Leicester also known to the design team while on his ward rounds!
Initially, the sourcing of polypropylene to make the visors was a challenge but a trip to Leicester to collect this material and the production of visors began. Then came the challenge of sourcing acetate but having asked for local help, this issue was overcome too.
Producing to date 2125 visors on-site is no small feat and the staff have been delivering the face visors to the NHS and Care Homes across the county of Worcestershire. Mr Batchelder, Head of Design Technology commented: “We looked at using 3D printing for the visors but this was going to take 4-5 hours per visor. We then modified the design and changed to using the laser-cutter which is a much faster process.“ The School has received many emails and social media posts thanking the School for its efforts and support.
In addition, at the beginning of the UK lockdown, the four RGS Worcester schools supplied 338 sets of goggles from the Science and Design Technology departments for use by medics. The Art and Textiles departments are producing drawstring bags for storing and washing uniforms.
Headmaster, John Pitt, said: “It is great that we are able to use some of the School’s resources to support the NHS at this critical time. As well as providing education for Key Workers’ children, the supply of the goggles, visors, scrubs and scrub bags, I hope, will make a difference, and provide much-needed support for those on the front line.”