Oakham School and Rutland Plastics have joined forces to take the production of face shields for Key Workers to another level, with the aim of making up to 20,000 masks in the days ahead.
The School’s Design Technology Department has been producing masks for the last three weeks, using their own 3D printers and Laser Cutters. Members of the Design Department have been working non-stop, along with volunteers who have been making, packing and delivering the masks. The team have managed to hone their approach and production line; resulting in an impressive 600+ masks now being made each day.
Aware that the supply of PPE continues to be in great demand, Tim Weston, Head of Oakham’s Design Technology Department, has been working closely with local manufacturers, Rutland Plastics, to increase production further. Based in Oakham, Rutland Plastics have over 60 years’ experience of custom injection moulding.
“We’ve made custom moulds for the headbands as this is the part that takes the longest to make for the School,” says Steve Ayre, Managing Director at Rutland Plastics. “We can now make two headbands every 20 seconds. We’ve worked collaboratively to get the final design right, so that the visors can be easily and quickly constructed by the volunteers – meaning they can get to those who need them faster.”
The School has gathered a large team of volunteers who are ready to assembly the visors over the next few weeks, as well as delivering them to those who have requested them – which includes hospitals in Peterborough, Leicester, Lincoln, and Kettering. Visors will also continue to be provided to staff at Rutland Memorial, Melton and Market Harborough hospitals, along with numerous care homes and doctors’ surgeries across Rutland, as well as further afield in Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.
“This massive jump in production is only possible thanks to the amazing donations from the community,” continues Tim. “Firstly, Rutland Plastics, who have freely given their time, expertise and materials – including donating around 6,000m of elastic – to create the headbands. It is particularly wonderful that this local family business is run by Old Oakhamians Steve Ayre (93) and Caroline Ayre Johnston (96) – demonstrating how the School and its community are working together during such difficult times. Secondly, Darryl Brunt at Fellowes stationery suppliers who have kindly donated 25,000 A4 clear PVC sheets to make the visor. Finally, and most importantly, the hundreds of people in the school community – parents, alumni and staff – as well as the local community, who have donated money that has enabled us to fund the additional resources and manufacturing of the visors.”
Anyone who wishes to provide additional funds to further aid the making of these visors can visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/TimWeston4
The headbands have been made from Polypropylene (PP) so are fully recyclable. The blue colour follows NHS safe product colour standards. Before using the visors made by Oakham School Key Workers are encouraged to please read our full disclaimer at https://www.oakham.rutland.sch.uk/facevisordisclaimer.
Or, for any further information about our visors, please contact facemasks@oakham.rutland.sch.uk
