Bellway Durham gives construction students a rare insight into life on a building site

Construction students with special educational needs enjoyed a rare first-hand experience of life on a building site during a visit to Bellway Durham’s Hedworths Green at Lambton Park development near Chester-le-Street. The housebuilder hosted 13 sixth form students from Barbara Priestman Academy in Sunderland, a specialist school for children and young people with autism and complex learning difficulties.

The youngsters, who are studying for Level 1 qualifications in construction, were taken on site by Bellway Durham’s Head of Construction Daniel Ferguson and given a tour of a completed showhome by Head of Sales Lindsey Oliver.

During their visit, they got to see homes at various stages of construction, from the foundations being laid to the finished product, and were also given an insight into the various health and safety measures which are taken on site.

Construction teacher Aimee Patterson, who accompanied the students along with teaching assistant David Pells and the school’s head of sixth form Natalie Preece, said the visit had been both informative and inspiring for the students.

She said: “It was the first time this cohort of students have visited a real-life construction site and it was a really special experience for them. Due to health and safety restrictions it can be difficult for us to organise construction-related career visits so to be invited by Bellway to their Hedworths Green development was a real treat.

“It was great for the students to see the construction process in action step by step – from the first course of brickwork and the cavity walls, to the pipework and electrics and then the finished article. It really helped to reaffirm everything they have been learning in the classroom, especially the importance of health and safety which is extremely important.

“The students loved the experience. It made them feel like their knowledge was relevant and has inspired them to look into college courses, apprenticeships and other routes into the industry. We always have a strong cohort of students who are really practical and who would thrive in hands-on construction roles and be an asset to the industry.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to Bellway for giving us this opportunity. The team were so welcoming, kind and understanding and the students all felt right at home. The information was pitched just at the right level which helped to make the visit very informative and relevant to the course that the students are taking.”

Lindsey Oliver, Head of Sales at Bellway Durham, said: “At Bellway, we pride ourselves on our inclusive approach and this extends to our relationships with local schools and colleges. We appreciate the particular barriers that students with special educational needs can face when entering the world of work and passionately believe they should be given the opportunities to achieve their potential.

“The construction industry is facing a skills shortage so it’s absolutely crucial that we inspire as many young people as possible to pursue careers in the sector. It was wonderful to welcome the students from Barbara Priestman Academy to Hedworths Green and we thoroughly enjoyed showing them around the development. We hope the visit not only gave them a better understanding of the housebuilding process and the variety of job roles available in the sector but also provided valuable experience which will help them on the next stage of their career journeys.”

Bellway is building 145 homes at Hedworths Green at Lambton Park, a collection of properties centred around a large village green featuring a traditional buttercross within the historic 1,200-acre Lambton Estate.

For more information about the development, visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/durham/hedworths-green-at-lambton-park or call the sales team on 0191 622 4188.