Open Doors Cheesmur Building Contractors - Year 8

On Thursday, thirteen Year 8 students took part in an exciting Open Doors careers visit to Cheesmur Building Contractors. They were welcomed by Dan Hayman, Estimator at Cheesmur and Chailey School’s Enterprise Advisor, who gave an insightful introduction to the construction sector and the role of a building contractor.

Throughout the visit, students discovered the wide variety of careers available in construction — both on-site and behind the scenes. They learned how different teams collaborate to bring projects to life, and that construction is about much more than just building. It involves design, planning, teamwork, and problem-solving.

To put their learning into action, students worked in small groups on a hands-on challenge: designing and building a structure of their choice using lolly sticks. The activity tested their creativity, communication, and engineering skills, and resulted in some impressive mini constructions!

The visit was a fantastic opportunity for students to explore future career possibilities and gain a deeper understanding of the many pathways within the construction industry. A huge thank you to Dan and the team at Cheesmur Building Contractors for hosting such an engaging and inspiring day.

Our Year 8 students embraced the opportunity with enthusiasm. Their existing knowledge of the sector was impressive, and they asked thoughtful questions throughout the visit. They approached the challenge with a positive attitude and worked brilliantly in their teams. Well done, Year 8 — we hope you enjoyed the trip!

Mrs Wickens

Careers & Work-Related Learning Coordinator