On Wednesday, students and teachers at Casterton Primary Academy were treated to a royally good surprise when Prince William and Kate Middleton popped by via video call. The couple took a moment to thank the teachers and school staff for continuing to provide much-needed care for the children of essential workers during the coronavirus pandemic.
Watch below: Prince William and Kate Middleton make heartfelt phone call to healthcare workers
The academy, which is located in Lancashire, north-west England, is in close proximity to Burnley General Hospital, where several of the students’ loved ones work and continue to work throughout the COVID-19 outbreak. The duke and duchess went on to thank the staff for their dedication in providing a “safe place” for children, even during what are supposed to be the Easter holidays.
"Well done... Honestly, to you and everyone who's in during this time," Kate shared with the staff. "It must be such a relief for all the parents who are key workers to know that the normality is there for their children—they've got the structure and they've got a safe place for them to be, so really, really well done to all of you."
"We just want to say a huge thank you to you guys and well done in keeping it all going," Prince William added. "Please pass on many messages of support for all the staff and all the volunteers. They're doing a great job."
Casterton Primary is currently operating as an open hub for four other academies – Castercliff Primary Academy, Pendle Primary Academy, Colne Primet Academy and West Craven High School – which are part of the Pendle Education Trust. The charity Place2Be, which the duchess is a Patron of, has been working alongside the school to provide mental health support to children during these challenging times.
