Overtown pupils given insight into homebuilding industry

Orchard Primary pupils receive 500 books as Persimmon supports education alongside major housing development.

Pupils at Orchard Primary School in Overtown have been given a hands-on introduction to the world of construction after receiving 500 books from Persimmon Homes.

Persimmon Homes donated copies of Cones and Building Sustainable Homes, a book designed to inspire young people to learn more about how modern homes are built.

The books were presented to staff and pupils by Craig Moore, Land and Planning Director at Persimmon Homes, alongside Michael McBride, Convenor of Education at North Lanarkshire Council.

The story follows four cone characters – Conestance, Conerad, Cone-Vera and Conen – as they explore the homebuilding process, from timber frame manufacturing through to construction on site. The aim is to introduce pupils to the industry in an engaging and accessible way, while highlighting modern methods of construction.

The initiative comes as Persimmon progresses plans to deliver 601 new homes in the Overtown area, bringing significant investment to the local community.

As part of the development, Persimmon will contribute around £3 million towards education provision in North Lanarkshire, helping to support local schools as the area grows.

Michael McBride, Convenor of Education at North Lanarkshire Council, said:

“It was a pleasure to visit Orchard Primary School in Wishaw and see firsthand the strong partnership Persimmon Homes has with the local community and schools. The children clearly enjoyed the visit, and it was fantastic to see them receive books from Persimmon Homes.”

Craig Moore, Land and Planning Director at Persimmon Homes West Scotland, said:
“It’s great to be able to visit Orchard Primary and share these books with pupils. We hope they help spark an interest in how homes are built and inspire future careers in construction.

“As we deliver new homes in Overtown, it’s important to us that we also support the local community, and that includes engaging with young people and investing in education.”

Persimmon Homes’ wider development in Overtown will deliver a range of energy-efficient new homes, with properties ranging from two-bedroom terraced houses to five-bedroom detached family homes, designed to meet the needs of first-time buyers, growing families, and those looking to move within the area. For more information of the development visit their website.