September 2014
Pupils and teachers from Bishop Ian Ramsey Primary School, Medomsley, were rewarded with a day out visiting Story Homes’ The Woodlands development in Shotley Bridge.
School pupils enjoying watching the machinery in action
The trip enabled the children to learn more about house building and the various trade roles involved. Health and Safety Manager, Sean Trodden, led the trip ensuring children were aware of all the Health and Safety aspects needed when on a building site. This tied in with their new curriculum which involves a class project for “The Big Build”. The children are learning about the “Three Little Pigs” and how different materials are suitable for building different aspects.
Year one class teacher Zoey Renwick said the following about the trip: “It will definitely give the children a wider understanding for our class project. It has been great to see the use of all the different materials and why they are important. The kids have loved every minute. It was a fantastic, really well organised morning. The children were really well looked after and all getting to have their picture in the JCB made their day!
“One of the pupils was from the class above and is on our outreach programme. The whole aim is to give him as many life experiences as possible by taking him on trips. It was great to see him having such a brilliant time and when Sean Trodden gave him his Story Homes tie at the end it was a really nice touch.”
One of the children enjoying having a go in the JCB
After seeing the various stages of building a house the final part was to take a look around the finished product. Going inside and viewing the four-bed detached show home was just as much a treat for the teachers as the children.
One of the highlights of the tour was when the children all had the opportunity to sit in the JCB and get their picture taken – plus the odd few who were beeping the horn too! It was great to see the Year One class have so much fun and achieve their aim of learning about house building for their school project.
The Woodlands is set in a beautiful location offering breathtaking views across County Durham’s Derwent Valley. With a range of property types this fantastic development really does have something for everyone.
