KIRKBY THORE PRIMARY SCHOOL DESIGN THE PERFECT VILLAGE
Kirkby Thore Primary School, in collaboration with Changing Lives Learning Trust, Balfour Beatty, Atkins, and National Highways, have proudly launched a bespoke careers programme designed to engage and inspire students. This initiative aims to add significant value to the school community, which is directly impacted by the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine scheme.
The innovative programme spans four months and includes a series of visits to the school, each focusing on different stages of the project. Led by experts from various disciplines, the sessions provide students with hands-on activities and insights into how a project is created and developed.
Students have been tasked with designing and creating their own ideal village, applying the skills they acquire throughout the programme. The culmination of their efforts will be showcased at a celebratory event, where parents, community members, and all project participants will be invited to join in the festivities.
The programme kicked off with an introduction to the client and road safety. The next session, led by Atkins, will delve into design elements. Subsequent sessions will cover commercial aspects, surveying, planning and engineering, environmental considerations, customer and communications, and will conclude with the end celebration.
This final celebration will not only highlight the students’ achievements but also serve as an opportunity to engage with the local community, sharing the benefits of the scheme. The project fosters collaboration among all stakeholders and aims to inspire future generations to consider careers in the industry.
With only 40 pupils, Kirkby Thore Primary School is thrilled to have such a significant impact on its students. If successful, the programme will be expanded to other primary schools along the route affected by the scheme.
The A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project involves upgrading single carriageway sections of road to dual carriageway standard and making improvements to the junctions along the route, enhancing connectivity between the M6 at Penrith and A1(M) at Scotch Corner.
Katy Bowmer, Assistant Project Manager for National Highways, said:
“We are delighted that Kirkby Thore Primary School invited us to take part in this initiative to give children an insight into what we do day-to-day. We want to make a positive impact on the local communities before, during and after we have finished delivering the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine Project.”
“It was great to see young pupils engage and take an interest in the work we do, especially as they are part of a generation who will benefit from the project in the years to come.”
