Ferndale Community School GCSE Construction

Yesterday I joined Ferndale Community School’s GCSE construction class on a visit to the new Welsh Assembly Office currently being built in Merthyr.

This is a new course in the Design and Technology Department at the school, run by Mr Lance Gibbins (Head of Technology). Mr Gibbins has beeen with the school for over 35 years, having started teaching in 1970 in Hendrefadog Sec Mod in Tylorstown, which went 'comp' in 1973, where he became Head of Department (now Technology) in 1977. He is a Chief Examiner with the WJEC.

G.C.S.E. Construction and the Built Environment is one of the new fast growing courses being introduced to give pupils practical ‘hands on’ experience. It is very encouraging to see that one of our own Rhondda schools is pioneering this course and is the only school in South Wales doing so.

Pupils have been entered this year for the Carpentry and Joinery option of the course, but there are several other options which include, Painting and Decorating, Brickwork, Building Services, Building Design and Surveying.

The course entails pupils ‘linking’ with a large construction company, and through these links, gaining experience in the building industry at various levels. Carillion are the main contractors at the Merthyr Assembly Building and they have been very helpful and have responded extremely well to the ‘challenge’, they have provided the boys with High Visibility Jackets, Gloves and Hard Hats, the school has provided Boots, and the C.I.T.B. (Construction Industry Training Board) are providing extra help, guidance and money to fund the course.

Mr Gibbins says ‘So far the boys are very enthusiastic and have responded well to the new challenge, the course is different to most school courses and they have established a very good working relationship with the staff involved as well as working well together.’

The class has developed a ‘picture’ Web Site which shows the ‘workshop’ facilities in school (portakabins) and ‘The Site’ in Merthyr. They will continue to add to this as the course progresses.