Penyrheol Comprehensive School’s Alternative Provision Unit has unveiled a brilliant new woodwork classroom – created inside a shipping container – giving pupils a dedicated space to learn practical construction skills in a setting that better suits their needs.
The project has been supported by Codi Group and J G Hale Group Ltd, through the Gwynfaen Community Benefits Fund. A total of £7,673.90 has been invested into the new learning space, covering the cost of the container itself, essential tools and equipment, and the installation of electrics to make it fully functional for teaching and hands-on learning.
Special thanks also go to Seer Construction, who completed the base for the container free of charge. Their support has helped make the classroom possible and is a great example of partnership working in the community.
The new space will directly support the delivery of both GCSE Construction and BTEC Construction courses, giving the Alternative Provision Unit its own dedicated teaching area. Construction subjects are hugely popular the school, and this means more pupils can access practical learning in a calmer, more personalised environment.
Alternative Provision plays a vital role in helping young people who may struggle in a traditional classroom setting, offering a safe and supportive learning space with smaller class sizes and tailored support. This new classroom will help remove barriers to learning and give pupils the best chance to engage with education and achieve their potential.
Alongside classroom learning, pupils will also benefit from expanded outreach opportunities through links with Young Dragons, who are currently working with students to introduce construction as a potential career path and connect construction skills with core curriculum subjects. This will also involve Codi and Hale in future site visits and talks at the school and on site.
The project has been made possible thanks to the tireless work of Charlie Karby, who leads the Alternative Provision Unit, and Natalie Finney the school’s Careers Co-ordinator, who helped bring the idea forward and connect partners to make it happen.
