Syrian refugees in Jordan have been sent stationery by a Chippenham school.

Hardenhuish pupils in Years 7 to 11 clubbed together to buy 40 sets of colouring pencils, maths sets and filled pencil cases for Jubeiah Secondary School for Girls, their link school.

Nalia Atmeh, a teacher at Jubeiah School, said: “The Syrian students were very happy and excited to receive their stationery gifts from the head of the educational directorate from the British Council.

“We can’t thank Miss McKinley and Hardenhuish enough for their kindness.”

Frances McKinley, the international schools co-ordinator at Hardenhuish, said: “Pupils were aware of the issues in the Middle East and thought that this would be a good way of making sure the supplies went straight to children who were refugees.”

More than 850 pupils gave 20p so that every tutor group could buy a pencil case.

They were posted before the summer holidays, but only arrived a few weeks ago because of import issues.

Miss McKinley said: “Hardenhuish School is proud to be an International School with links to schools in the Middle East, as well as the Netherlands and Bangladesh.”