IT MAY have been closed to all but the children of key workers since March, but Alton School’s pupils and staff – like so many others across the Herald area – have gone to extraordinary lengths to support the community response to coronavirus.

The school has donated personal protection equipment (PPE) from its science labs to the Alton branch of Brendon Care home.

While families, both past and present members of the school community, have been helping with the PPE sewing effort ­with Sister Neelam sewing sets of scrubs for the Ackender Road sewing group.

Rebecca, who is in Year 7, and her mum have been making scrubs and wash bags for the Alresford Scrubbers.

And other pupils have been showing their support for key workers by creating NHS banners and rainbows to display at home.

Year 4 teacher Stephanie Woods-Davison created a VE Day video featuring her beautifully-sung rendition of A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square (https://youtu.be/eiCxpzicOFE), while many pupils made colourful bunting for the occasion.

Pim Grimes, head of Alton Prep School and Nursery, said: “We are so proud of all our pupils, who never cease to amaze us with their creativity and positivity.

“We also want to thank all parents for being so supportive of our school during these very challenging times.”

Even though schools are physically closed, Alton School is continuing to deliver its Prep and Senior School curriculum via its Alton@Home remote learning programme.