Students gain real world construction insight on site experience day in Norwich

Students from St Ed’s college were given a valuable opportunity to experience the world of construction during a recent site visit to the Festival Park development in Norwich.

During their time on site, students were guided through the development by Senior Site Manager Darren Coopper, who brought a unique perspective to the experience, having previously worked as a teacher himself.

Darren’s background in education helped him connect with the students, offering engaging explanations of the construction process, site safety, and the wide range of roles involved in delivering a housing development. Students were able to see a range of build stages, ask questions, and gain a deeper appreciation of the skills and teamwork required to make a new community a reality.

Educational visits such as this allows students to gain a broader understanding of potential career pathways and provide practical insight about careers in construction.

The Festival Park development provided an ideal setting for the visit, showcasing modern construction techniques and the progression of a live site.

Speaking after the visit, Senior Site Manager Darren Cooper said:

‘It was a pleasure to welcome students from St Eds onto site. Having come from a teaching background myself, I understand how important it is to bring learning to life outside the classroom. Construction offers a wide range of opportunities, and visits like this help students see what’s possible.’

Heidi Duhig, Fundraising Manager St Ed’s commented:

‘We would like to thank Persimmon Homes for supporting the St-Eds Construction students’ site visit. The trip was really informative and gave students a valuable chance to see a real construction site in action. They found the experience very helpful and enjoyed learning more about the industry firsthand.’

Charles Church remains committed to supporting local communities and promoting education through engagement initiatives such as site visits, helping to inspire the next generation of talent within the construction sector.