August 15, 2024, Bath, England: Last month, 180 enthusiastic students from Oldfield Park School in Bath enjoyed a unique opportunity to visit the construction site of Vanguard's upcoming self-storage facility, conveniently located just around the corner from their school. The young visitors, aged 5-11, toured the site in groups of 30, with each visit lasting about 20 minutes. To emphasise the importance of safety, Vanguard provided each child with a branded hard hat to wear during their tour.
Guided by the Experts
During the visit, site managers from UC Build led the children through an engaging and educational experience. The site managers explained various aspects of the construction process, including what the workers were doing and what the finished site would look like. They emphasised important health and safety rules, such as the dangers of entering a building site without proper supervision, and discussed the purpose and function of the personal protective equipment (PPE) worn by workers.
To make the learning experience interactive, the site managers asked the children questions like, "Why do you think it might be dangerous to enter a building site?" The children were eager to respond and demonstrated a strong understanding of the risks involved.
Hands-On Experience and a Crane Driver’s Wave
The highlight of the visit was when the children observed a crane lifting heavy panels. For the benefit of each of each group, the crane driver playfully stuck his head out of the cab and waved, much to the delight of the young visitors. This hands-on experience gave the children a tangible understanding of the machinery and teamwork involved in construction.
A Special Preview
The site managers also shared exciting news about the restoration of a De Havilland Vampire aircraft, which will be displayed in the reception area of the new facility. The children were thrilled to hear that they would be invited back for a return visit to see the site—and the plane—once the work is complete.
A Day to Remember
The visits took place on a sunny day, with the children showing keen interest and asking numerous questions. The accompanying photo captures UC Build’s site manager, Alex Chapman, enthusiastically explaining the site plans to the children from a specially set-up viewing gallery.
This educational field trip provided the students with an early introduction to architecture and construction, a well-deserved day out of the classroom, and a memorable experience at an architecturally stunning building that will soon become an iconic part of the Bath lanscape.