Pupils build up their health and safety knowledge at a visit to brickworks
A GROUP of Measham pupils have visited a local brickworks and factory for an educational tour aiming to teach children about health and safety.
Measham C of E Primary School became part of the Safety Squad, a school engagement project from building products manufacturer Forterra.
The initiative links local schools and Forterra’s manufacturing plants around the UK to promote awareness of health and safety in work, school and home environments.
Measham brickworks plant manager Kishan Sisodia said: “It was our pleasure to host the pupils and teachers of Measham Primary School as the inaugural members of the Safety Squad.
“It was great fun and a huge success. We thoroughly enjoyed showing them what we do at the plant and how we stay safe at work.”
An excited group of 30 Key Stage 1 pupils, aged seven and eight, visited the Measham brickworks and Red Bank factory for an educational tour.
Red Bank has a long history in Leicestershire, having produced chimney pots and bespoke clayware in Measham since 1919.
Centuries-old crafting methods remain in use to this day alongside newer mechanical methods.
Equipped with hi-vis jackets, hard hats, and a Safety Squad booklet, the pupils and teachers of Measham Primary School embarked on their health and safety journey.
They discovered how to use the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) and learned about safety in the manufacturing environment, learning how bricks and clay products are made and the way they are used.
Laura Beighton, a teacher at Measham Primary School, said: “Thank you so much to all the Forterra team for organising the Safety Squad – the children loved it.
“I have to express how impressed we all were with every staff member – the level of care and safety they showed was incredible!”
The next stage in the Safety Squad programme involves the pupils writing about the history of bricks and the processes involved in making them.
They will conduct their own safety evaluation at home or in their classroom and create STOP sign designs to add to the safety signage in the factory.