Children from Larbert High School in Larbert, Falkirk, are being given the opportunity to experience the world of construction by designing a development for a first-time property developer.

The activity, organized by the Scottish Building Federation in conjunction with ConstructionSkills and running from the Federation’s HQ, is part of the Federation’s activity schedule for National Construction Week (NCW).

Third year pupils from the school assume the roles of construction manager, architect, civil engineer, quantity surveyor and site agent, and meet the challenge of translating their brief into a reality.

Working in teams of five, the pupils have to build six housing estates and a shopping centre, taking into account a road network, including roundabouts and a bridge, services, including gas and electricity, and a pipeline. Once the design is completed, the winning team will be awarded the contract based on the lowest tender – and, as they are first time developers, they will want to keep their costs down!

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Kay Conn, Principal Teacher Pastoral, Larbert High School, said: ”Getting the children involved in an activity such as this is at the top of our agenda. We like to encourage team work and participation in activities that give the pupils a flavour of the real world of working.

“We are particularly pleased that the Scottish Building Federation has agreed to offer the school this activity as part of NCW as it sits well with our own JEET (Journey into Education, Employment or Training) Day, during which we are offering the pupils a chance to take part in a variety of activities ranging from an Army assault course to learning about social and ethnic differences in our multicultural society.

“It’s great being able to offer the children the benefit of expert advice, and all of us at Larbert High School are looking forward to the challenge and seeing the results of the children's hard work.”

(CD)