In January, 240 pupils at Barnsbury Primary School were taught the importance of staying safe and the dangers of playing around nearby construction sites as part of a curriculum-based school programme hosted by Cala Homes (Thames).
The children took part in Cala’s ‘Stay Safe, Stay Away’ initiative, hosted by Steve Morris who provided them with an interactive session that uncovered the history of building houses and engaging the children in roles within the construction industry, while also spreading the message to children that construction sites are not somewhere to play around.
The initiative is an essential part of Cala Homes’ Community Pledge, which they deliver as part of its Chestnut Fields development, located near the school. Through the Community Pledge, the housebuilder commits to providing positive social impacts to the areas it builds through community engagement initiatives, such as school workshops, volunteering, donations, sponsorships, and bursaries.
Barnsbury Primary School, says: “On behalf of our children and staff, we’re thankful to Steve for dedicating his time to provide our pupils with an engaging and thought-provoking session on the topic of safety around construction sites.
“The initiative helped the students gain a deeper understanding of the potential dangers these sites present and the importance of leaving them to trained professionals, all while providing them with insights on the history of our homes and the different roles and responsibilities of the people behind them.”
Steve Morris, Group HSE Manager at Cala Homes (Thames), said: “At Cala, we’re committed to educating children on the importance of staying away from construction sites, and the Stay Safe, Stay Away initiative is vital in delivering that message.
“While all our sites are secure, it is essential that children understand the potential dangers of entering construction sites to ensure their safety and that of their friends. Although it’s a serious subject, it was brilliant to see the pupils at Barnsbury Primary actively engage with our presentation—asking insightful questions and even trying on our safety gear to better understand the importance of leaving construction work to the professionals.
“We hope that by raising awareness, we perhaps inspire the next generation of construction professionals.”
Schools near a Cala Homes development can register their interest in Stay Safe, Stay Away by getting in touch via the website.