Planters built from reclaimed wood are among the latest projects completed as part of a new hands-on school programme in Cumbria.
Twenty Year 10 students at Dallam School have installed sustainable planters across the school grounds, designed and built as part of the school's new Multi Skills course, which launched this year to broaden practical and technical learning at Key Stage 4.
Accredited through AQA’s nationally recognised Unit Award Scheme (UAS), the course focuses on sustainability and real-world problem solving, helping students develop workshop skills in planning, measuring, and manufacturing.
Students have already completed three accredited units, each earning individual AQA certificates.
Using reclaimed pallet wood and recycled materials, the students designed and constructed the planters, which now brighten the school grounds and reinforce the school’s environmental focus.
A Year 10 student said: "It is good knowing that what we’ve made will stay in school.
"Seeing them outside makes us proud of what we’ve done."
Finished with the school’s house logos – Owl, Deer, and Wolf – the planters serve as a visible reminder of the practical impact of classroom learning.
Headteacher Steve Henneberry said: "This is the first year we have offered Multi Skills, and it has given students the opportunity to develop practical, transferable skills within an accredited framework.
"Projects like this bring learning to life.
"Students can see the impact of their work in the school environment, and that sense of purpose is powerful."
Mr Henneberry added that the course had also had a positive impact on student attendance, saying: "We've seen an attendance uplift of up to 9.84 per cent among the students in this class, with over half the students having improved attendance compared to last academic year.
"That's a sure sign their overall education is benefiting from the extended range of courses we now offer."
Future projects will see students moving on to toolbox construction and the integration of traditional woodworking techniques with CAD and CAM technologies, including 3D printing and laser cutting.
These projects will further develop both their design and manufacturing skills using a blend of modern and traditional methods.
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