Students from The Coleshill School rolled up their sleeves to help reshape a part of the school grounds, in a project that aimed to teach them about leadership and perseverance.

Last year a pilot scheme was run with Shining Bright Futures, a Coleshill-based not-for-profit company set up by Adam Gray, a former assistant headteacher at The Coleshill School.

Students from Years 7, 8 and 9 took part for three hours each week, taking time out of the curriculum to help clear the school’s overgrown old allotment area, as well building furniture and learning how to cook.

Adam explained: “The pilot scheme ran for six weeks and the students really enjoyed it. It was about getting them active and giving them a vocation. At the end, they each got a Level 1 certificate to recognise their efforts.

“The project follows The Coleshill School’s ‘SPIRIT’ ethos, which encourages Self-management, Perseverance, Innovation, Reflection, Independence and Teamwork – and perseverance, and the students really came together and got stuck in.

“It’s a different kind of project, because it brings extra provision of this kind into schools, rather than sending students away on trips where they might not flourish in a new environment. 

“The idea is to get students involved who may have had issues with the curriculum, whether that’s attendance, behaviour or emotional challenges, and try to identify and address them, to help them in their broader school life.”

Plans for the old allotment area, which was given to Year 9 students as a project, include a wellbeing garden, raised flower beds and possibly even livestock such as chickens.

Year 8 pupils created furniture such as comfy outdoor sofas from old pallets, while the Year 7 students headed into the kitchen to learn how to cook everything from lasagne to cup cakes.

Now, the pilot scheme has been extended to include all year groups, with personal training added to the activities on offer.

And the Coleshill community backed the project too, with a local firm donating the pallets and farmer John Plum, from Southfields Farm, donating his time – and his digger – to clear the allotment.

Headteacher Ian Smith-Childs said: “It is great to see the students getting involved in this community project and for them to feel a sense of achievement. We look forward to them going on to achieve their full potential at school and in the wider community.’