House Building with a difference

Kidderminster College called upon local students to give the RSPB a helping hand. Year 10 students at Bewdley High School who are working as part of the Construction in Schools Scheme have been honing their carpentry skills by making nest boxes.

The Scheme, which trains students in construction and property maintenance skills, runs as part of the ContinU Consortium, which comprises Wyre Forest Secondary Schools, Kidderminster College, the Connexions Service and Local Training providers, develops vocational work-related skills for 14 -19 year olds.

By building nest boxes, the students are helping the RSPB with their recently launched campaign aimed at increasing the population of tree sparrows: the population of which has seen a decline by 94% between 1974 and 2001. The nest boxes are distributed to participating farmers around the country, to encourage breeding amongst the tree sparrows. Anna Broszkiewicz, The RSPB’s co-ordinator commented, “This is a brilliant effort being made by the students to support a bird once common in our countryside – the new homes will support and help expand existing colonies of tree sparrows around the West Midlands.”

Kidderminster College’s Marketing Officer, Denise Brownridge who recently volunteered to help the RSPB with this new campaign, identified this opportunity which would benefit both the RSPB and students alike. She commented, “The students have done a fantastic job! Not only have they made a valuable contribution to the RSPB by their efforts, but they have also gained some invaluable carpentry skills in the process. They should be extremely proud of their achievements."

In just three weeks the students have made in excess of 50 nestboxes for the RSPB, under the guidance of course tutor Rowland Hill. Such has been the success of the project that the entrepreneurial students are now turning this into a business venture and are now selling the nest boxes to anyone wishing to buy one! The students, however, will still continue to support the RSPB with supplying nest boxes to meet demand.