A school in Shepton Mallet is lending its iPads to local care homes during the coronavirus crisis to help residents stay in touch with loved ones.

St Paul's Junior School approached three care homes to see if residents might take advantage of the devices while children are home-schooling.

Head teacher Chris Partridge had the idea as the school has several families who have already been sent an iPad to help with the home learning which David Fingleton, the school's IT lead, has organised.

Mr Partridge told Shepton Mallet Nub News: "As the head teacher, I contacted St Cecillia's and Field House care homes in Shepton Mallet, and Highfield House in Castle Cary.

"They have welcomed the opportunity to borrow a few iPads for their residents to use to keep in contact with their families.

"I have dropping some off to Highfield, Field House are getting back in touch when their events manager is back on site, and St Cecillia's are borrowing two iPads.

"Albert Owen, our chair of governors, is also a member of League of Friends for Shepton Mallet Hospital and is enquiring if they require some iPads.

"Of course, the vulnerable and key worker children currently at school have individual iPads to reduce contamination so they still have access to devices.

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"We are always looking for ways to support our community and I knew we could help with our spare iPads in school."

Highfield in Castle Cary said their staff have previously been using their own mobiles to support residents, so the iPads will prove very useful.