Builders lay foundations for school partnership

A Newcastle primary school is set to benefit from an educational partnership with two firms behind a housing development in the city.

Placefirst and Lovell, which are delivering 146 build-to-rent homes at Benwell Dene, have joined forces with nearby Bridgewater School to provide learning opportunities for pupils and “showcase” the construction industry to “potentially inspire future careers”.

Officials say the collaboration will also include a health and safety assembly and a poster design competition to raise awareness of construction site dangers.

Phil Jones, development director for Placefirst, who met with Samantha Robson and Adam Beechey, headteacher and business manager at Bridgewater School, respectively, on site at Benwell Dene, said: “Engaging with young people about development and construction at an early stage is important not only to help demystify the industry and showcase the diverse range of skills involved, but also potentially inspire future careers. 

“There’s a huge range of opportunities in the built environment, across engineering and design to sustainability, project management and more.

“With such high demand for housing across the UK, our sector needs to do more to attract the best talent, ensuring we have the skilled workforce required to meet the demand in the future. 

“And while the pupils at Bridgewater might not be putting hard hats on just yet, we hope to highlight how the skills they’re learning in the classroom will be important in the future.”

Samantha added: “It was a privilege to be able to visit the site. 

“Affordable, rented family homes are much needed in the west end of Newcastle, and we are really pleased this is happening so close to our school.

“We look forward to working closely with both Lovell and Placefirst with the children to develop their knowledge of the career opportunities working in construction as well as other links to the curriculum.” 

Benwell Dene, a multimillion-pound regeneration scheme, will transform a six-acre brownfield site into a mix of houses and apartments, with completion expected in 2027.

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