A Taster Day for the Construction and the Built Environment Diploma was
hosted by Sawyers Hall College on Wednesday 29th April to give year
9 students from schools across Brentwood, a chance to learn about the
innovative new course. Students from Shenfield High School and St.
Martin’s School joined with our students to gain an insight into the
theory and practical work involved in this new qualification, which
is worth seven GCSEs (grades A* to C), and to learn about related career
opportunities.
The students were set the task of planning a swimming pool as part of
the Olympic Project in the Brentwood area. Pauline Start, Head of Department
at Anglia Ruskin University, Liam Stubbins, a Quantity Surveyor and Jack
Dearlove, Diploma Tutor at Prospects College led the first activity,
which allowed the students to discover more about how such a project
might be designed, surveyed and managed.
As well as being given the opportunity to talk to experts in the construction
field, the students also experienced some practical skills first hand.
After being shown how to set up and use an optical level, the students
carried out their own land surveys.
The students displayed good teamwork skills and a lively interest in
all aspects covered in the taster day, especially the surveying activity.
The new diploma will be delivered jointly by Sawyers Hall College and
Prospects College as part of the Brentwood Learning Partnership, from
September 2009.