Fifteen teachers at a Woodford Green high school will head for Calais this weekend in a van packed with warm clothing donated by students and parents.

Woodbridge High School in St Barnabas Road is sending the convoy after students and staff raised more than £3,000 for migrants in the French port city.

An awareness week was held from Monday 19 to Friday, November 23, to educate the students about the experiences of some of those who have travelled from far away to reach Calais.

It included a screening of the film Children of Calais: A Case to Answer, with director Sue Clayton hosting a Q and A session for over 70 youngsters, teachers and parents.

Staff also took on students in football and netball games to raise money and the week ended with a Christmas fayre.

Donations of cash amounting to £3,000 were collected for Care4Calais, a charity delivering aid and support to those living in the camp.

A collection was also held for warm winter clothing which will be distributed by the teachers this weekend when they volunteer in Calais.

Headteacher Steven Hogan said: “I am immensely proud of the efforts that our students and staff have made to raise money for the Care4Calais charity.

“This is completely in line with our values of kindness and respect for others.

“Our students have made a huge effort to do all that they can and they are a credit to the school and the local community.

“I am also grateful to those staff travelling to Calais this weekend to hand over donations and volunteer for the charity.

“All those connected with our school have been so generous with their time and money.”

But the fundraising didn’t end there. Year 8 student Eva Bennet raised a total of £341 by taking part in a sponsored silence.

The money along with an additional £212 raised by her peers will go to Children In Need.