FRONT line staff working in Bournemouth have praised and expressed their gratitude to staff at Jewell Academy.

Doctors, nurses, police officers and delivery drivers all have children who attend Jewell Academy in Poole, Bournemouth and admitted they have been able to carry on as normal because they know their children are being supported and cared for at school.

Daniel Smith, 39, an A&E charge nurse at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital and his wife Emily Ellis Smith, 31, a clinical support worker, also at the RBH, have three children and the eldest two, Presley Smith, 5, and Mason Ellis, 8, attend Jewell Academy.

Daniel said: “I do believe the teachers need as much praise as everyone else.

“The teachers face a daily risk to coronavirus from the children that come into school. It would not be on purpose but it is still there.

“It’s a massive relief to know that our children are being looked after. All other forms of childcare have been taken away and Emily and I would have struggled to go to work without the support from the school.

Emily added: “The teachers have been very brave to keep going into school – they have been amazing especially to be open during the bank holidays and school holidays.”

Tessa Vaughan, 31, a Victims Bureau Officer with Dorset Police, has two children and her daughter Clara, 6, attends Jewell Academy.

She said: “The support from the school has been really, really good. I couldn’t ask for better.

‘’Knowing that Clara can go into school and that there is a normality there for her has been so important during this time and really beneficial.”

Abby Taylor, vice principal at Jewell Academy, said her main priority during the lockdown was to stick to government guidelines while protecting their own keyworkers.

She said: “There is a very strong sense of social solidarity now. It has been refreshing to recognise how we all depend on each other, identifying our health service and key workers during these very worrying times.

“Many children have expressed to us as teachers, their fear and anxiety during the pandemic, many of whom have family working on the frontline of the NHS. Whilst teachers provide the everyday stability, routine and care that our children so desperately need, we as teachers are also demonstrating our thanks and gratitude for our frontline.”