Baginton Fields Academy Students Dive into Construction with Hands-On Event

Sean Noone Baginton Academy, Victoria Hingley EKFB and Daman Holmes, Tarmac

Baginton Fields Academy recently held a highly successful Constructability Day, offering students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) a hands-on introduction to the construction and engineering industries.

Victoria Hingley, the Skills, Employment, and Education Coordinator at EKFB—a joint venture involved in the HS2 project—played a crucial role in organising the event. Hingley emphasised the importance of such initiatives in addressing the critical skill shortages within the construction industry while providing meaningful engagement opportunities for SEND students.

Victoria said: “Today’s Constructability Day at Baginton Fields Academy provides students with a unique, hands-on insight into the world of construction and engineering. It is designed to be sensory-oriented and fun.” The event featured volunteers from EKFB, along with partners from Tarmac, Enva, and Arcadis, showcasing a collaborative effort to enhance educational experiences.

Sean Noone, assistant headteacher at Baginton Fields Academy who organised the event, shared his perspective: “The Constructability Day was a phenomenal success. Our pupils built walls with foam bricks using shaving foam as mortar, worked with miniature diggers in a sand pit, and some even enjoyed ‘demolition’ activities, using their wheelchairs to knock down a cardboard structure. These activities not only provided fun and excitement but also helped develop important skills and confidence.”

Baginton Fields Academy is part of the Thrive Education Partnership and caters to secondary-aged students with a range of special educational needs, including Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The school’s mission is to deliver inspirational learning experiences and prepare students for future success.

Alison Francis, Headteacher at Baginton Fields Academy, expressed her enthusiasm about the event: “Engaging with industry professionals through initiatives like Constructability Day not only enhances our students’ learning experiences but also prepares them for real-world opportunities. It’s about breaking down barriers and showing our students what they are capable of achieving. We are very grateful to those businesses and volunteers who have given up their time and resources to work with our learners, to give them a memorable experience.”

As the construction industry faces a significant skills shortage, events like Constructability Day are crucial according to Victoria Hingley. She said; “The UK will need approximately 251,500 new workers by 2028 to meet expected levels of work and many students from SEND backgrounds could be perfect for these roles, as they often excel in skills-based, routine-driven tasks. We need to break down stigmas and provide these young people with the opportunities they deserve,” she added.

The Constructability Day is just one example of how Baginton Fields Academy and Thrive Education Partnership are working together to create a brighter future for their students. Through continued collaboration and innovative programmes, they aim to ensure that all students have access to quality education and meaningful career opportunities.

Find out more about Thrive Education Partnership at www.thrive.ac