Barnfield send Pennine Lancashire Students on a Westminster Visit

Date: 30.11.2009

Local company Barnfield Construction are helping students to 'bring Learning to Life' by supporting their exciting ambitions.

Following a number of built environment workshops held throughout the year, students from Accrington Academy and the Blackburn and Darwen Pathfinder Schools are making waves in the construction industry by designing their own environmental projects. With the help of professionals from Pennine Lancashire company Class Of Your Own, Accrington Academy students formed their own company 'Roots' to project manage the construction of their Eco Classroom building which they hope will take place next year in the grounds of their school. Pathfinder students formed 'Sensory Solutions' to create a sensory garden for the community in the grounds of Witton Park, Blackburn. They are now preparing their individual Project Launch Days and writing their own supplier questionnaire to ensure that their own community focussed values are upheld.

Class Of Your Own recently set the students the task of writing a company Mission Statement which defined their sustainable principles. This resulted in a number of students being invited to visit Westminster next month to tell government ministers about their exciting projects, hosted by Accrington MP Greg Pope. The winning statement at Accrington Academy was written by Year 10 student, Kamila Samin, with runners up Lauren Monk and Rebecca Lowe.

It stated:

One Name, One Meaning, One Goal. That's what Roots is all about. Our aim is to show that by working together, no matter your age, you can achieve anything. Building an Eco-Friendly classroom will prove this. When starting something new, and creating a project, you need foundations, You need Roots.

The winning statement from the BwD Pathfinder students was written by Year 11 St Bede's student, Lizzie Killalea, with runners up Josh Kelly (Our Lady and St Johns), Akeela Abbas (Darwen Vale) and Umer Ashraf (Witton Park). They will be accompanied by Matthew Unsworth and Daniel Royle of Newfield School. The statement read:

"Sensory Solutions strive to provide a sanctuary that's accessible to all. Our VISION is to FEEL an inner contentment and share our ZEST for life. HEAR the hum of diverse wildlife and experience the SCENT of aromatic plants and herbs: SEEK SERENITY, SEEK SOLACE,SEEK SENSORY SOLUTIONS."

Local company Barnfield Construction heard about the competition, and immediately offered their support to help them on their way. Charlotte Rice, Marketing Manager for Barnfield presented the three winners with a cheque to cover the cost of their train journey, a mode of transport which supports their sustainable travel learning experience. Charlotte said "We are very excited to be part of showcasing to Government ministers the extremely worthwhile projects that the teams are working on. It is very pleasing to observe that girls in particular are interested in and being encouraged to enter into the challenging yet worthwhile Industry of Construction. Children are our future and we look forward to working with them to fulfil their career goals in any way we can."

Andy O'Brien, Accrington Academy's Vice Principal, commented "The student's Mission Statement really reinforces our aim to bring out the best in everyone, and their eco project will enable them to understand what sustainability means in a very practical way. The Westminster trip will allow them to meet like-minded students from other schools and share their learning - all contributing towards best environmental practice in schools."

The presentation was also supported by Peter Clarke, Deputy Leader of Hyndburn Council.