The wider community can now
contribute to the vocational skills
learning of our young people with a
made-to-order offering for a range of
products.
Young people on our Trade Skills programme of
learning are developing and practicing skills in
areas such as the use of hand and power tools, and
making 3D objects.
On the Trade Skills programme, a range of products
including mosaic-patterned tables, garden planters
and domino clocks are made during sessions, which
have gone onto be sold in pop-up shops in Reading
and Newbury.
Now, these items, and more, can be made-to-order,
with West Berkshire residents able to place orders.
Nikki Smith, Vocational Teacher in Trade Skills, said:
"Our young people are involved in the production of
every single item ordered through this service.
"By placing an order, you are giving our young
people a meaningful opportunity for them to
develop,
practice and
generalise skills which are
crucial factors in their future
independence and ability to enter
the world of work."
A brochure of items to view is
available on our website. To place an order,
email shinemadetooorder@priorscourt.org.uk.
Prior's Court is now
offi cially an Eco-Schools
recognised Green Flag
school.
After around 18 months of work,
Prior's Court has reached Green
Flag status as part of the EcoSchools
scheme - the top rank
achievable.
Over the past year, despite
challenges posed by the
coronavirus pandemic, activities
have continued on-site to
empower our young people, and
our staff to play an active role in
caring for their environment.
Recent actions taken include:
● Holding an Eco-Day, featuring
activities for our young people
such as recycling workshops, a
litter pick across site, craft sessions
to form an Eco-Code poster, and
more.
● Switching as much of our
electricity supply as possible to
renewable sources (with switching
over the remainder of our meters
planned to follow)
● A focused action on reducing
printing across site, with our
young people emailing staff
reminders on how to cut printing
and working towards being
paperless.
While nine of our young
people are on our Eco-Schools
committee, the events in the past
months have featured dozens of
our young people taking part.
Activities have been adapted
to give our young people the
opportunity to embrace the
scheme. For example, using our
Virtual Reality headsets to explore
the oceans and beaches, while
trips to these places have been
off-limits due to the coronavirus
pandemic, and using preferred
communication methods with
young people.
Nickie Dunphy, Prior's Court
Purchasing Manager who is
leading on the Eco-Schools
project, said: "This has been a
real team effort from staff across
Prior's Court who have grasped
this opportunity to truly empower
our young people to care for their
environment.
"This is not the end of our ecojourney.
We are determined to
continue to make Prior's Court a
greener place to live and work."
Handmade items made-to-order
Green fl ag status for eco-eff orts