STAFF who would normally be teaching full classes of students in Ludgershall have instead been delivering some Easter cheer to struggling families.

Following the temporary closure of The Wellington Academy as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, staff have been preparing boxes of groceries and food vouchers for families whose children would normally qualify for free school meals.

This service has been made possible by a financial donation by the Academy’s partner, Wellington College.

But as Easter approaches, the school’s staff wanted to add some extra cheer to the food boxes, so began donating chocolate eggs themselves for the students and their families.

The Wellington Academy’s headteacher, Steven Paddock, who only took up post on April, said he arrived on his first day to find a huge pile of Easter eggs in the school hall.

“My senior deputy headteacher, Rob Wood, had emailed staff to ask if they would be able to contribute some Easter eggs, and many of them added a few to their shopping trolley, which was very kind,” said Mr Paddock.

“We also had very generous donations of chocolate eggs from the Tidworth branches of Lidl and Tesco, which was really appreciated. Money is very tight at the moment for a lot of families, and the school is at the heart of the lovely community we have here, so it feels good to do something for families that will put smiles on faces.

“We have deliveries of grocery boxes going out to between 20 and 30 families each day, and during the Easter week teachers are coming in to make sure those to families under pressure can treat themselves and their children.”