Immanuel College has surpassed its £1 million target for a 36-hour fundraising drive to cover Covid-related costs.

Around 850 parents and other supporters responded to the Bushey school’s appeal last week.

“People were very generous. This will give us a comfortable buffer for the next year,” said Immanuel’s director of business development Lynda Dullop, “We’re very happy.”

The money will help parents unable to pay full fees because their businesses have been hit in the pandemic. Fees are £18,900 a year for the secondary school and £10,500 for the preparatory school.

Immanuel has also had to buy protective equipment, arrange extra cleaning and improve its IT system to provide remote learning.

Major donors and foundations matched pledges made in the appeal.

And pupils chipped in with their pocket money too.

“We had class competing against class to see who could raise the most,” she said. Year 8 came out top, earning themselves a chocolate prize.

For the first time, the school has reached 700 pupils with 99 entering year 7 in September.