Coronavirus: Private schools offer bursaries and beds for NHS key workers and their children

‘We are in awe of their commitment, passion and bravery,’ one headteacher says

A private school has announced new bursary places for the children of NHS staff, while others have been offering beds for key health workers to support them during the coronavirus pandemic.

Reigate Grammar School said they will fund bursaries for 10 students whose parents work in the NHS or care workforce.

Shaun Fenton, the Surrey school’s headmaster, said: “Our school and its global community recognise the outstanding contribution the NHS key workers make to the health and wellbeing of the British people, particularly at this time of national crisis.”

He added: “We are in awe of their commitment, passion and bravery as they protect and care for us all from their pivotal position on the front line.”

The independent school will fund ten additional places for students whose parents work across the NHS, including nurses, paramedics, porters and cleaners.

Mr Fenton said: “The coronavirus pandemic crisis has reminded us that there are a whole host of professionals who keep hospitals and the wider health community running.”

Meanwhile, other private schools have been letting health workers use their dorms during the pandemic.

Eton College has also offered free rooms in their boarding houses to NHS professionals or emergency service workers if they “need accommodation to avoid having to self-isolate”.

In Wales, Rydal Penrhos School has invited frontline workers during the Covid-19 outbreak to stay in their accommodation.

The independent boarding school launched the initiative after a firefighter – and former pupil - asked for help as he could not stay at his home due to the infection risk.

John Waszek, the executive principle, said: “Our critical frontline workers are doing such a fabulous job throughout the region, and they deserve our help and gratitude.”

Charterhouse School, Malvern St James Girls’ School and Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe have also offered up some of their boarding facilities for key workers.

The UK went into lockdown in mid-March as it battled the coronavirus outbreak which has brought countries around the world to a halt.

More than 233,00 people have tested positive for the virus in the UK, the health ministry said on Thursday.

Around 33,600 people who contracted Covid-19 have died to date, the government said.