A TEACHER at a Dorchester school has been making face masks for her pupils to wear whilst using public transport.

After the government announced that everyone using buses and trains would need to wear a face covering, Sonya Parker, a teacher at St Osmund's Church of England Middle School, decided to put her skills to good use.

As head of the school's design and technology department, Mrs Parker had all the necessary tools to get to work on making personal protective equipment for her students.

She said: "Basically, with the government guidelines coming out with the public transport we have students that get the school bus so I thought I would make some for them.

"I made some for staff as well as they have children who might need them. I have made more than 90 masks now.

"I have been making them at home. You have to wash the fabric at 60 degrees to get rid of all the bacteria then keep the kitchen table clean.

"I have used a lot of different materials that have been donated by staff and I had a lot anyway."

Mrs Parker has even adapted her design specifically for the smaller heads of her pupils. She said: "Students really like the shape because I adapted the shape and size of the original design to make them a bit smaller for the children's faces. They fit really well around the student's faces. The ones you get in the shop are quite large for them, plus the shape of the big square ones you can get are quite uncomfortable."

After only starting her role at St Osmund's just after Easter, it's been a real baptism of fire for Mrs Parker. She did not have long to familiarise herself with pupils before schools were closed to all but the children of key workers.

She said: "With the students at home it's been really tricky and really difficult but the school has been amazing in keeping up with home learning. It's hard not being able to see them but we have been setting design and technology challenges for them to try at home.

"I'm really looking forward to September when we can see them all again."