CONSTRUCTION students got a close-up view of building methods both ancient and modern when they visited Stonehenge.
The Level 1 carpentry and joinery students from Wiltshire College & University Centre’s Salisbury campus tried their hand at Neolithic skills, including hurdle making, wattle and daub and using a flint axe, before seeing the construction of a new education centre at the English Heritage site.
Their day began with a workshop led by volunteers and archaeologists where the students were taught hurdle making using wood from the nearby National Trust forest, thatching and wattle and daubing. The students learnt how tools including flint greenstone axes, adzes – a hand tool used for shaping, smoothing, and carving wood – and stone chisels were used to fashion pine logs into consistent square shapes to build structures.
There were more up to date skills on display in the afternoon with contractor Beard Construction as Social Value Co-ordinator Hannah Phillips and Project Manager Issa Alani, talked them through the building of the new learning centre.
The new centre, designed to expand educational access to the World Heritage Site, is a modern, STEM-focused education hub paired with a reconstructed prehistoric building, aimed at transforming how students experience the site
After the project introduction and a health and safety briefing, students were equipped with PPE and taken on to the site and were able to take a close look at the joinery work on the new building’s roof.
Joiner Hayden Scott from C&S Carpentry ended the students’ day with a demonstration of joinery skills and a careers discussion. He gave the students a wood joints demonstration and discussed their suitability for different timber types before giving them a chance to try out some modern tools – ending with a lively race to see who could drive a nail in fastest.
Placement Officers Katy Mitchell and Emma Binting said the day had been a unique learning experience. “The opportunity was brilliant and fruitful, especially as the students were given hands-on experience in using the tools and getting a chance to see the building of the learning centre,” they said.
Chris Homer, Head of the Construction Department, added: “I’m very pleased with how it all went, I’ve had some excellent feedback from the students, particularly regarding the presentation, the opportunity to access a live site, and the professional discussion with the carpenter. Experiences like this are incredibly valuable for our learners.
“Our sincere thanks go to Claire Marston and Sophie Thomas from English Heritage, as well as Hannah Phillips, Issa Alani, and the Beard Construction team.”
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