Pupils from a secondary school in Coventry gained valuable insight into the construction sector with a behind-the-scenes tour of an active new homes site, courtesy of award-winning homebuilder Spitfire Homes.
12 pupils in year 10 from Grace Academy visited Clarendon by Spitfire Homes.
12 pupils in year 10 from Grace Academy near Potter’s Green were treated to an exclusive tour of Clarendon, a brand-new community near Burton Green, where 182 design-led homes are being created, following an engaging introductory presentation delivered by Planning Manager Frances Keenan and Senior Technical Coordinator Hannah Majid.
The collection showcases the entire construction process, from completed homes to properties under construction and areas where groundworks are underway, giving each pupil a real understanding of the vast number of roles required to deliver a new community and how sales and marketing teams work alongside them.
Led by Assistant Site Manager Dennis Coleman, the tour covered everything from routes into the industry to cross-departmental collaboration, sustainability and more, with pupils enthusiastically asking questions throughout.
This visit reinforces the Spitfire’s commitment to supporting early careers, following its pledge to ensure at least 5% of its total workforce is made up of graduates or trainees as it tackles the industry’s workforce shortfall head on.
Emily Williams, Assistant Principal from Grace Academy, said: “Our pupils were thrilled by the visit delivered by Dennis and inspired by the insight they gained from Frances and Hannah’s previous presentation, who demonstrated that women can excel in a sector often seen as male-dominated. Seeing the site in action, meeting the people behind each stage of the build, and understanding the skills and qualifications needed opened their eyes to the range of careers available. Experiences like this are invaluable in helping our students envision what’s possible outside the classroom, and it’s fantastic that Spitfire continues to invest in young talent.”
Dave Smith, Managing Director at Spitfire Homes, said: “The construction industry is facing a real challenge with an aging workforce making it vital that the next generation sees the breadth of opportunities that are available. Hands-on experience offers a practical insight that is difficult to replicate in a classroom environment and the team at Spitfire takes great pride in introducing young people into the exciting world of construction. As we expand across a wider Midlands region, investing in early careers is central to our growth. That’s why we have committed to ensuring at least 5% of our workforce are trainees or graduates.”
In delivering Clarendon, Spitfire is contributing more than £1.8 million towards improvements to local education, infrastructure, NHS services and highways. Clarendon sits on the border between Coventry and Warwickshire, less than five miles from the city centre, surrounded by green spaces and outdoor activities.
More than 20 homes have been moved into at Clarendon, and interest is high. A fourth showhome, the Montagu townhouse, was recently unveiled and is available for public viewing. For more information or to arrange a viewing, please visit https://spitfirehomes.co.uk/find-your-home/clarendon/.
