SCHOOL NEWS: Pupils think safety first with Jones Building Group

PUPILS at St Michael’s Academy in Yeovil have been thinking about putting safety first – thanks to Jones Building Group.

As statutory fire safety compliance works begin at St Michael’s Academy, staff at Yeovil-based Jones Building Group have had to talk to the pupils about safety as they will be working during the school term.

Mark Porter and Nicola Telford presented an assembly before the works began, focusing on the importance of understanding safety signs and how to be safe on a site.

The pupils responded positively in the interactive session, with Mr Rowland and student Mel willingly volunteering to model the Personal Protective Equipment to demonstrate what each item is used for and why they are so important to keep workers safe.

The pupils were asked to design their own safety signs as part of a competition set up by Jones Building Group to continue engagement on this important topic after the assembly has finished.

PHOTO – TOP: Pupils and Nicola Telford, of Jones Building Group, with their winning signs which are now helping keep the site safe at St Michael’s Academy.

Mark Porter, Jones Building Group’s managing director, said: “It is so important to ensure that children are aware of site safety and their role to play in ensuring they are safe as well as their peers and anyone that is at the school.

“We were glad that the pupils responded so well to our assembly and all the entrants for the safety sign competition were excellent.”

Alison Draper, business manager at St Michael’s Academy, added: “The children have been fascinated by the building work, however the safety information and education they received at the start of the works, along with the poster competition has ensured that they understand the need for them to behave sensibly around the working areas.”

Winners were chosen from the entrants, with Nicola Telford and Ellie Sibley returning to present the winners in an assembly attended by the whole school and some of the pupils’ parents.

The winners signs will be displayed around the site for the remainder of the programme and all winners will receive a prize when works draw to a close at Christmas.

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