This week, we were delighted to host pupils from Rydal Penrhos School as Year 5 and 6 students visited our Pensarn Development site for an exciting and educational experience.
Over two days – Tuesday and Wednesday, the students were welcomed by civil contractor Chris Jones, Director of Vectorex. The visit offered a rare opportunity to explore a live construction site up close, and for many, it was their first real insight into how homes are built from the ground up.
Each visit began with a Health & Safety induction, after which the children were kitted out in high-vis jackets and hard hats, ready to step onto the site safely and confidently.
The tour kicked off with a hands-on demonstration of how modern construction uses high-tech surveying tools — including GPS and laser equipment — to map out the site and individual plots with pinpoint accuracy.
Students then explored the massive infrastructure that supports every home, including foundation works and the underground pipe systems that carry water and waste safely to the main drainage network. A real highlight was the chance to walk through a section of pipe over 1 metre in diameter, each weighing over 4 tonnes, giving a true sense of scale to what’s usually hidden far beneath our feet.
Perhaps the most memorable moment for the children (and the teachers!) was climbing aboard one of the enormous diggers used on site — a moment that sparked lots of wide-eyed wonder and excitement.
There was also time to get tactile, with the children handling samples of blue clay excavated from the site, learning more about the natural materials that lie beneath our feet.
The visit was full of thoughtful questions, big smiles, and growing curiosity about the world of construction.
If you know a school or class that would be interested in arranging a similar visit to one of our live development sites, please get in touch via email: pensarn@cartreficonwy.org
Last modified on June 22nd, 2025 at 2:57 pm