Pupils at two South Shropshire schools are being given the chance to use local expertise to support them in the delivery of their Diploma qualifications.
Shropshire Housing Group is bringing its knowledge to the curriculum for two brand new diplomas, which will help students learn through teamwork with real businesses.
Diplomas are new qualifications that deliver learning through the context of different occupations. Shropshire Housing Group will be supporting diplomas in Business Administration & Finance (BAF) and Construction and the Built Environment (CAB), and is working with Lacon Childe School, at Cleobury Mortimer, and Church Stretton School.
Students taking the CAB diploma will get a real life context for their learning by being able to examine the new Ashbrook Farm development, at Church Stretton, looking at factors such as how environmental considerations impact on the design and build process.
The Church Stretton students have already received at presentation at Shropshire Housing Group's headquarters from its development team and building consultant Alan Fox, of Fox Associates, on the various aspects of the project, including the need for community consultation in the design and planning of any new development.
As the new diplomas get underway, Shropshire Housing Group chief executive, Martin Holland, has also paid a visit to Lacon Childe School to provide support, insight and advice to the pupils.
Helen Vaughan, regeneration officer at South Shropshire Housing Association, which is part of Shropshire Housing Group, said: "Shropshire Housing Group is extremely committed to community support and education, so sharing the knowledge and expertise of our staff with diploma students makes tremendous sense. Connecting learning with the real world of work makes the whole process so much more interesting and effective."
SSHA’s support for the diplomas extends the work of its Advantage West Midlands funded Homegrown project, which is also helping to prepare young people for work.
Homegrown works with employers to provide hands-on taster activities to inspire young people’s interest in local work opportunities.