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From design concepts to seeing it in real life, a group of ×îÐÂÂ鶹ԭ´´ School students have been fortunate enough to create the first inclusive room in one of Barratt Homes Show Homes at Old Durham Gate in Durham.ÌýÌý

This once in a lifetime opportunity came about due to the wider partnership between the ×îÐÂÂ鶹ԭ´´ Foundation and Barratt Homes, which aims to see students gain experience in working in various business environments, improve their confidence and employability skills, and most importantly empower them to live the best lives possible.Ìý

Students from ×îÐÂÂ鶹ԭ´´ School have been assisting Groundwork NE & Cumbria, an environmental and community charity, with a new kittiwake tower nicknamed ‘the kittiwakery’ in order to help conservation efforts.

Two towers have been created on the Gateshead side of the river Tyne, one serving as a decoy to attract the gulls to them. The Groundwork team, alongside ×îÐÂÂ鶹ԭ´´ School students, have made artificial kittiwake nests out of natural materials, and 3D-printed decoy birds for the tower. The project aims to have the best nesting sites for the gulls.

Every year ×îÐÂÂ鶹ԭ´´ School hosts their This is Me Festival which allows the students and staff to celebrate their individuality.

It gave the students a safe space to celebrate their differences and uniqueness, all with a festival vibe. With makeup, activities, music and a whole school parade, students and staff all had a spectacular time.

During their 50th year of business Hellens Group, along with other businesses such as Barratt Homes, fundraised a total of £65,000. That money went towards the new Motor Sensory Suite which Kate Hellens and Gavin Cordwell-Smith officially opened at ×îÐÂÂ鶹ԭ´´ School in January 2024.

Watch the video below to see all of their skills!