Students at Newton Abbot’s new South Devon University Technical College recently visited Linden Homes’ forthcoming Tithe Barn development in Exeter as part of a project to develop their engineering skills.
The 22 pupils, all aged between 14 and 18, were given a brief and asked to create plans, offering practical solutions for specific engineering challenges.
Graeme Fuell, head of design for Linden Homes, said: “We spent the day explaining how to plan a new homes development and how to overcome issues including topography and services.
“We love having schools and colleges visit us on site, some of the pupils ask some really interesting questions and make some very imaginative suggestions – it’s great to see them so inspired.”
Alison Hannah, assistant principal at South Devon UTC said: “There was a real buzz when we left Linden Homes; the students loved visiting site and the inspiration they gained has been reflected in their attitudes and work, so it was a very valuable visit.”
The SDUTC is working closely with local industry in the fields of engineering, the environment and water to offer GCSE studies for pupils from Year 10, plus A-Levels and BTECs for those aged 16-18. The college is supported by a number of significant employers and founding partners of the UTC, including Galliford Try, South West Water, Centrax, the Environment Agency and national charity Water Aid.
Nigel Palmer, managing director of Linden Homes (part of the Galliford Try Group) said: “As one of the nation’s leading home-builders, with a strong portfolio across the South West, we’re very keen to support the UTC and to see it, and its students, succeed. The construction and civil engineering sector needs young people with the skills required to help drive economic growth in the future, and we hope this new school will help to provide them.”
Ian Crews, principal at South Devon UTC, said: “Students at South Devon UTC have had an early experience of working with one of our key partners. Graeme Fuell spent the day working with students engaging with the issues around providing housing to meet local needs. Throughout the day students were challenged through a real-life situation to design a housing development that met a series of planning constraints but also provided a viable option for the company. The day culminated with students presenting to Graeme their group solutions to the original challenge.”
The day long visit included a trip to Linden Homes’ exciting new development on the outskirts of Exeter called ‘Tithe Barn’, which is being built in partnership with Aster Homes. Comprising a range of two, three and four bedroom properties, the land off Tithebarn Lane will provide 412 new quality homes for the local community.
For more details on Tithe Barn visit www.lindenhomes.co.uk and for further information on the SDUTC visit www.southdevonutc.org
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Media can contact Emma Mackay on 01626 357652 or email emma.mackay@lindenhomes.co.uk
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