The Stephen Longfellow Academy worked in partnership with Willmott Dixon, a National Construction company, with the aim of promoting construction careers to Year 9 students. A secondary aim included showing students how their learning in specific subjects links to the real world. We also wanted to challenge the notion that only males can work in construction. Several bespoke activities were set up on carousel for Year 9 students which linked the work of construction to curriculum subjects and was led by 2 female team leaders from Willmott Dixon and several other staff. The activities for the day included:

  • The Tetrahedron Challenge (Maths)
  • Lego Challenge (Art & Maths)
  • Circuit Challenge (Science)
  • Map Finder (Geography)

The Tetrahedron Challenge:

The Tetrahedron Challenge required students to build a giant Tetrahedron, using only dowels and elastic bands. Wilmott Dixon staff spoke about the importance of shape, measurement, and costings in construction. The challenge involved estimation of the materials and then this was followed by the physical construction of the Tetrahedron. Throughout the challenge, various construction roles were discussed. Some of these included: Quantity Surveying, Engineering and why maths is essential in any career, especially construction.

The Lego Challenge:

The Lego Challenge linked with Art & Maths lessons. Students were required to design, cost, and build a bridge from Lego, which had to be strong enough to support a metal object.

The Circuit Challenge:

The Circuit Challenge involved using electrical circuit boards and students were tasked with producing as many different completed circuits from the manual as they could in the set time frame. The Circuits included: alarm systems, working motors and lights. Willmott Dixon staff discussed the work of electrical engineers and the importance of science and physics in producing a working circuit.

The Map Finder Activity:

The Map Finder Activity focused on location and what makes a site useful, therefore, linking with the subject of Geography. Students were reminded of how to use maps and coordinates. Students then looked at maps and cities and looked at transport links. The activity ended with 2 student groups competing against each other in a coordinate finding exercise.

Every student was awarded a certificate of participation and the top 4 students identified by Willmott Dixon were given gifts.

Student feedback from the challenges showed:

  • 89% of students said that they enjoyed between one and all of the activities, when they were asked which activity the enjoyed the most.
  • 89% of students said that the lessons had made them aware of how Art, Maths, Science and Geography skills are used in different construction roles.
  • 89% said the lessons had improved their knowledge of the types of jobs available in the construction industry.
  • 89% would consider a career in the Construction industry and recommend the Take over day to future students.

Feedback from Willmott Dixon:

Thank you for having us, it was a wonderful day and you and your team are so supportive it’s amazing to see, so please pass on our thanks for letting us use their classrooms for the sessions.

The students were very engaged, asked a lot of questions about their futures and how the activities were relevant. Some were able to relate this back to what they have learned in STEM subjects which was refreshing to see.

They showed excellent teamwork and communication skills, and it was clear they all had different roles to play in the tasks so we could explain that everyone’s skills are useful, even though it may not be clear to them.

Many used the time to ask about the education/training routes into the industry. I have some wonderful connections to training and education providers post 16, so if you wanted any introductions, please just say the word.

Let me know what you need in the future for any other events, always an honour to get involved with your school.

Vickie Thornton BSc (Hons)
Social Value Coordinator – Yorkshire

Feedback from TSLA staff member:

I was able to sit in on two of the sessions, the Circuit Challenge, and the Lego Challenge. Our students absolutely loved these workshops. The kit provided by Wilmott Dixon really complimented the work that some of our Year 9’s were exposed to last year in KS3 so students were straight into the building of complex circuits without many hiccups.

Most of our students engaged for the duration of the sessions and Willmott Dixon staff did their utmost to keep them engaged and interested with the tasks at hand. I found myself constructing my own circuits.

Feedback from my form also indicates that they really enjoyed the building aspects of the other workshops and every student said they would like to do something similar again.

Ayrton Sharp (Teacher)

The Stephen Longfellow Academy will continue to work with Willmott Dixon to support their careers programme which will involve site visits, enterprise activities and work experience.