Bents Green Secondary School is a specialist school for pupils with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Social Communication and Moderate Learning Difficulties for ages 11-19 and recently the Post-16 Department have moved to the Sheaf Training Centre in Sheffield to allow their learners to enhance their Vocational Skills particularly around Construction and Horticulture.

Last year the school were recognised as an NOCN Centre offering their students the chance to complete qualifications in Literacy and Numeracy (Functional Skills), PSD and Construction. Since then the learners have been putting the skills they have learned into practice by adapting a workshop and adding classrooms that will in the future offer further opportunities to other students, as well as themselves.

Since creating the classrooms the students have also continued to enhance their skills by creating wooden Christmas trees and they have plumbed-in a sink that all users at Sheaf Training will be able to utilise.

Frank Hunter (Head of Bents Green School Post-16 Department) said:

"The students and staff involved have taken great pride in building their own classroom, which they are now using for construction lessons. It really meant something to our young people to be involved in ‘real work’ that they could see through from start to finish. We hope to now move on to other projects that improve our environment and are useful to all service users at Sheaf Training."

The learners’ latest project involves using reclaimed wood and making wooden planters that will be used in the spring.

David Ravensdale (NOCN Northern Account Manager) said:

“The work that the learners have completed is excellent. They have very much earned their qualifications and I will look forward to hearing about future projects that the learners will be undertaking.”

Frank continues:

“We’re also looking for donations of tools, equipment or materials for our pupils to use in their plumbing, building and horticulture training, so if anyone has anything they don’t need, please get in touch. Our kids are great, they have such enthusiasm and their skills are improving every day; we really want to support their vocational development with more good quality resources.”

If anyone has anything they can give to the school, please get in touch with Frank Hunter, email: fhunter@bentsgreen.sheffield.sch.uk or call 0114 403 1048.