Pupils design and build a park bench

Year 10 pupils Adrian Concannon, Andrew Jones and Robert McClay, have even come in during their free time to work on their three-seater project, which now sits proudly between two wooden planters - which they have also made - in the new school vegetable garden.

Although tied into their other curriculum work, the bench was a project undertaken as part of their technology and design class for GCSE - that’s woodwork to older Sentinel readers - and by all accounts the three pupils enjoyed their woodcraft immensely.

Technician for the Technology Department, Roland Baird, said: “They started this bench about a month ago and worked during class time on it as well as coming in during their free time on a couple of occasions. It is a pine bench, made from timber from a sustainable source.”

The three-seat bench ‘grew’ out of an idea that took root with the school classroom assistant, Sinead, many months ago.

“They really have conducted themselves well in seeing this project finished. They certainly seem to enjoy their classes and enjoy seeing things growing and have already had their first harvest in the garden, and I’d like to commend them for their dedication in seeing their project through. They have certainly spent a lot of time and effort on it,” said Mr Baird.