STAFF at a Poole school have been honoured for their selfless work during the first coronavirus lockdown.

The principal and senior staff at Ocean Academy have been awarded with Blue Peter badges after year 6 pupils wrote to the TV programme about their dedication during the national restrictions.

Principal Jo Quarrie, vice principal Loren Tharme, assistant principal Rachel Richardson, office manager Jane Burry, site manager Rick Mullins and receptionist Rhoda Fudge have al received the award.

Mrs Quarrie said: “It was a lovely surprise to receive the badges and completely unexpected.

“Our priority during lockdown was and still is, to make sure our students feel safe, looked after and have a real sense of stability.

“We knew our students and their parents appreciated everything that we did and this is a lovely way to show it.

“This is testament to all school staff nationally who go above and beyond to support their pupils and families.”

In the letter from the year 6 bubble, the students highlighted how the school staff were still working tirelessly.

The children stated: “They are the kindest people we have ever met.

“On top of their regular tasks, they have been having meetings throughout the holidays and have been working non-stop every day, from very early in the morning to late at night.

“All their hard work has meant we have been able to come back in to school and feel safe, happy and comfortable.”

The first national lockdown earlier this year saw all students, bar those of key workers or classed as vulnerable, study at home through online classrooms or learning packs.

Vice principal Loren Tharme said: “I was shocked and then really proud to find out about my Blue Peter badge.

“I was so proud that the students had arranged this on their own – they hadn’t been prompted to do it.

“Teaching is not a job you do for accolades, but it is very nice to have our hard work recognised.

“A Blue Peter badge seems really elusive when you’re a child. Blue Peter is a programme the students will watch and they would have thought that we would appreciate having a badge.’’

Ocean Academy’s office manager, Jane Burry, said: “The first lockdown was tough. We were here all the time and it was relentless but it gave us a sense of purpose. The students were our priority. To receive this Blue Peter badge is the icing on the cake.”