Pupils at a Derby school were given the building blocks for a future career in construction after welcoming an industry professional into the classroom.
Year ten students from Murray Park School in Mickleover, heard first-hand about the opportunities available within the construction sector when Richard Philpott, Masonry Project Manager at Stepnell, visited the school to assist in a practical construction lesson.
During the session, Richard supported pupils with a practical bricklaying activity while also sharing insights into his own career journey — from studying at college and working on the tools to progressing into project management.
Murray Park is among a small number of schools in Derby to offer construction as a vocational qualification alongside child development, digital IT, and health and social care.
Year 10 student Jacob said: “I feel really lucky to have the opportunity to study construction at school. It’s my favourite subject because every lesson feels rewarding and there’s a real sense of pride in what we achieve.
“We get to take part in some amazing practical activities and I really enjoy having a mix of hands-on learning alongside classroom-based subjects like English.
“It’s such a positive environment when we’re doing things like bricklaying and joinery and I’ve even been able to use some of the skills I’ve learned at home to make my own shelf.
“It was really interesting to meet Richard and hear about his journey into the construction industry. It helped us understand how the skills we’re learning now can lead to real career opportunities in the future.”
The subject, run by Adam Cantrill, lead practitioner in vocational studies, has been recognised as delivering some of the strongest progress outcomes across the school, with attainment exceeding the national average in 2025.
Last year, 77.8 per cent of pupils achieved a Level 2 pass in construction — equivalent to a Grade 4 at GCSE, while 55.6 per cent achieved a Level 2 merit.
Outcomes were also particularly strong across a diverse cohort of learners, with 76.9 per cent of pupil premium students achieving a Level 2 pass, alongside 62.5 per cent of SEND students.
Stepnell is a construction and development company working across sectors including education, healthcare, residential and commercial projects. Alongside delivering projects, the company regularly works with schools and colleges to support young people through practical construction activities, careers talks and industry insight sessions.
Richard said: “I am so impressed with the facilities the school has here — they are up to college standard.
“It’s fantastic to see young people being given the opportunity to experience construction in such a practical way while they are still at school.
“There are so many different career paths within the industry and sessions like this help pupils understand what opportunities are available to them.”
The school’s construction facilities have recently benefited from a £20,000 investment, helping to create an industry-standard learning environment where pupils can develop practical skills and gain real-world experience. The funding included professional equipment such as cement mixers and trade tools, along with PPE including overalls and work boots.
Headteacher Nicola Caley said: “We are incredibly proud to offer our pupils the opportunity to study construction and gain practical skills alongside their academic learning.
“While Mr Cantrill does a fantastic job of teaching students the practical skills and knowledge needed within the classroom, it is incredibly valuable for them to hear directly from an industry professional who has experienced the different career pathways available within construction.
“Experiences like this help bring learning to life and give pupils a real insight into the opportunities that could be available to them in the future.
“We are very grateful to Richard and Stepnell for taking the time to support our pupils and share their experiences.”
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