Autistic students create outdoor area for primary children in Doncaster

Harrison College students became engineers and conservationists for the project after joining forces with Richmond Hill Primary Academy, Sprotbrough.

It is the third community project the multi award-winning Doncaster college has completed in the area.

Harrison College prepares students for employment and the Community Action Project seeks to bring together many of the skills they have learned, including leadership, teamwork and problem solving.

During the week-long initiative, 20 students created an outdoor learning environment for primary school children.

They were supported by a staff team from Harrison College, along with volunteers from TCV, Lucy Smith from CAF Rail, Pippa Mell from Applaud BC and Steve Dixon. Jason Chatwin at LAC Shop Fitting helped students with project management and health and safety issues.

Ardagh Group sponsored the project, which will continue to run in the new academic year and will contribute to the students achieving their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award.

Plant director at Ardagh Group James Grant visited the project during the week. He said: “It is absolutely fantastic to see that our sponsorship and engagement with Harrison College has been so worthwhile and is promoting outdoor learning and supporting the school ethos.”

Materials and resources were donated by Barratt Homes, Simplas PVC Recycling, Johnston Paints, Twisted Knot, Dudley and Sons Roofing and Walkers Nurseries.

From an overgrown unused field students created a mud kitchen, music board, pond, seating area, firepit and entrance steps.

They learned how to use tools safely and recycled materials, such as used pallets, into a mud kitchen and seating. They used their maths skills to measure and design the products to maximise materials that had been donated by Doncaster’s business community.

Mike Peebles, chief commercial officer at Harrison College, said: “The annual Community Action Project is an important part of preparing our students for the world of work as they are working for a client and delivering on a clear project brief.

“None of the work would be possible without the fantastic support we received from local businesses, their response has been overwhelming positive and all the team at Harrison College thank them.”

Head of Richmond Hill Primary Academy Kelly Cousins added: “Our work with Harrison College has absolutely transformed our forest school provision. We are absolutely thrilled with the result and so appreciative.

“The students are a credit to the college. We have plans and space for more projects, so we look forward to our partnership continuing next academic year.”

Since its curriculum is employer led and based around real life business projects, Harrison College welcomes businesses with challenges and projects that can be put to the students to solve. Anyone interested in being part of the scheme can contact Mike at [email protected]