The David Wilson Construction Centre at Northampton Academy

The David Wilson Construction Centre is nearing the end of its first highly successful year at Northampton Academy. Currently 82 students from Northampton Academy, Duston School, Moulton School, Unity School, Western Favell School, Caroline Chisholm School and the special schools group, have been developing their skills in bricklaying and carpentry and will also experience plumbing over the coming months. Numbers are set to rise next academic year to over 160 students per week accessing this first rate facility.

Nathan Goode and Jamie Hines, who are both students at Northampton Academy, are finding the programme highly rewarding and enjoyable. Nathan feels that it has shown him what it is like to be in a working environment and has inspired him to look at a career in construction in particular bricklaying and possibly starting his own business in the future. Jamie says that already he has gained a range of new skills and is looking into careers in the construction industry; he hopes to gain an apprenticeship upon completion of the course.

Not only have students been learning first hand skills in the different areas of construction, delivered by the excellent team from Moulton College, they have also been developing as individuals, gaining and growing in confidence and developing skills for life. Students are also using elements taught in school, such as maths in a practical way when working out how many bricks will be needed to build a structure and when marking out joints in wood.

The staff and students of Northampton Academy and partner schools are very grateful for the support of the David Wilson Foundation for making the Centre possible.