Housebuilder brings construction careers to the classroom at Heron Park Primary

Year Five pupils at Heron Park Primary Academy in Eastbourne have been given a behind-the-scenes look at the world of housebuilding during a visit from local construction expert Blair Harvey, Senior Site Manager at Barratt Redrow Southern Counties.

Blair visited the school to speak to both Year Five classes about careers in construction and housebuilding, introducing pupils to the wide range of roles and skills involved in building new homes.

The visit comes amid a growing national focus on technical and vocational education for young people. Prime Minister Andy Burnham recently announced plans to introduce new technical education pathways from the age of 14, giving pupils early access to skills training, work experience and connections with employers. Construction was specifically highlighted as one of the career paths young people could pursue.

During the session, Blair introduced pupils to the different careers in the industry, from hands-on roles on construction sites to opportunities in planning, technical, sales and marketing. Pupils were also encouraged to think about the skills needed to succeed in the industry, including teamwork, communication and problem-solving.

Following the talk, the children completed a specially designed worksheet to put what they had learnt into practice. The activity encouraged pupils to explore the skills required for different roles and think about which careers might appeal to them in the future.

Blair Harvey, Senior Site Manager at Barratt Redrow Southern Counties, said: “It was great to spend time with the Year Five pupils at Heron Park Primary School and show them just how many different people and skills are involved in building new homes.

“When people think about housebuilding, they might initially picture just the teams working on a site, but there are so many different opportunities across the industry. Introducing children to these types of roles from a young age can help them understand the different options open to them as they get older. I hope the session inspired them to think about career paths they may not have considered before.”

Nicholas Bond, Teacher at Heron Park Primary School, said: "Blair’s session was a fantastic opportunity for our Year 5 pupils to hear directly from someone working in the construction industry and learn about the wide range of careers available.

“As a teacher and member of the East Sussex Careers Hub, I have seen firsthand how important early engagement is in challenging outdated gender stereotypes and breaking down barriers before they become established.

"The children thoroughly enjoyed learning about how communities are designed and developed, and the hands-on activity inspired them to connect their own strengths and interests to future career aspirations."