Youngsters excel at housing design challenge

Published by Craig Downs for Frank Haslam Milan in Housing and also in Communities

Pupils at a Northumberland school had the chance to design their perfect housing estate and pick up some tips from industry experts at the same time during an exciting business challenge event.

While planning the theoretical 12-home development, Bedlingtonshire Community High School students had to decide who the houses should be built for and how they would market them.

Help and advice was provided by representatives from community regeneration specialist Frank Haslam Milan (FHM) North East, who also judged the competition.

The event was part of a series organised by the Northumberland Education Business Partnership.

The aim is to teach youngsters more about different industries working in the region and give them the chance to quiz employees from local businesses about their roles.

FHM Representatives Andrea Scollen and Simon Ferry attended the Bedlingtonshire event and said they were impressed with the youngsters’ enthusiasm and ideas.

Community Liaison Manager Andrea said: “It is important for us to get involved in the communities in which we work and events such as this are a great way to meet local youngsters and hopefully make a difference to their lives.

“The pupils at the event were all keen to learn more about the housing and regeneration sector and had some great ideas when it came to designing their own estate.

“Who knows, in the future we may even see some of them coming to work for us at FHM.”

There are now plans to hold a second, similar event at the school, this time focusing on the use of ‘green’ technology such as solar panels when designing and building new homes.

Carole Richards, work related learning coordinator for the Northumberland Education Business Partnership said: “Bringing business ambassadors such as Andrea and Simon into schools really brings events like this to life for the pupils involved.

“It gives them an idea of the different jobs available and also the chance to ask questions and take part in mock interviews.

“It’s also a great way for local businesses to make a difference to their community by volunteering as business ambassadors and taking part in these events.”

More than 150 Year 7 and 8 pupils took part in the event, which was held just before the school broke-up for the summer holidays.