Pupils from St Margaret's CE Primary School in Angmering recently stepped beyond the classroom to experience how a new local development is taking shape. The visit to Oakleaf Place is part of hands-on learning initiative designed to help young people connect their learning to the community around them.
As part of their current topic exploring vehicles and transport, the children in Reception (ages 4–5) have been focusing on different sub-themes each week. This week’s focus on ‘construction vehicles’ has captured their imagination, supported by stories such as ‘Construction’ by Sally Sutton. Following the site visit, teachers have seen a wealth of creative responses from the children, including impressive writing, role play, artwork, and construction activities inspired by their experience.
The visit provided a valuable opportunity for pupils to understand the role construction plays in shaping communities - creating places where people can live independently, stay connected, and feel part of their local area. By seeing the process first-hand, the children explored how developments like Oakleaf Place respond to the evolving needs of the community.
During their visit to McCarthy & Stone’s Oakleaf Place development, pupils toured the live site, observing machinery in action and learning how different roles and equipment come together to build new homes. Guided by site representatives, the session introduced the full construction journey, from groundwork through to completion, in a safe and engaging environment with plenty of opportunities for questions. One moment in particular captured the children’s curiosity, as they watched the crane in operation - Does it take him 100 years to get up there?
one pupil asked, referring to the crane driver climbing up to the cab.
Mrs Reene, teacher at St Margaret’s CE Primary School, said:
The team were incredibly welcoming, taking the time to answer the children’s questions about the building site and the different roles on site. The children were fascinated watching the crane in action - something many had been especially excited about - and loved learning about the operator, even having the chance to speak to him via walkie-talkie. They also loved hearing about the different coloured helmets worn on site and were thrilled to receive their own yellow hard hats. A big thank you as well for the chocolate bunnies, which were a big hit! It was a fantastic experience - thank you, McCarthy & Stone!
The initiative reflects a commitment to engaging with local communities in meaningful ways, helping young people connect their learning to real-world environments while raising awareness of future career pathways.
Alongside supporting education, the Oakleaf Place development is contributing to the local area through the use of regional contractors and suppliers where possible, as well as creating employment opportunities during construction and beyond. Ongoing efforts are also being made to keep nearby residents informed as the development progresses.
Tom Horley, Senior Site Manager, at McCarthy & Stone, commented:
We were delighted to welcome pupils from St Margaret’s Primary School and to share a small part of what goes into creating a place people can feel proud to call home. It’s important to us that developments like this are not only about new homes, but about supporting the wider community and inspiring future generations.
This visit highlights how local projects can extend beyond construction, offering opportunities to support education, strengthen community connections, and give young people a clearer view of the world around them.
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