Batts Combe quarry’s outreach with local schools in the Mendips
- Our Batts Combe quarry in Cheddar continues its programme of engaging with local students
- Recent outreach activity includes attendance at Kings of Wessex annual careers event as well as hosting Year 3 students from Axbridge Church Of England First School at the quarry.
- Both events provided the opportunity to set out how material from the quarry is used, as well as highlighting the varied career paths available in the mineral and construction sector.
Our Batts Combe quarry has engaged with students from local schools in the Mendips, Somerset this month as part of our ongoing community engagement programme.
Inspiring future talent for careers in construction
Members of the quarry team attended Kings of Wessex Academy annual careers fair to highlight the early career paths available across all areas of the business, including higher apprenticeships and graduate trainee programmes, and to encourage pupils planning their next steps to consider roles in the minerals and construction sector.
Several former pupils from the school have joined our team in recent years in apprentice and other roles, and we have also hosted work experience pupils. Newly appointed Unit Manager, Luke Wilson, was on hand to share his own engineering and quarrying journey, which has included stints working in a quarry overseas.
How we use limestone in our everyday lives
Later in the month pupils from Axbridge Church of England First School visited the quarry to find out about limestone and its varied uses. They learnt that every man, woman and child in the country uses the equivalent of four tonnes of aggregate a year, with uses including in asphalt used to repair and construct roads, to cement used in concrete for construction, as well as in fertiliser and toothpaste.
After a safety briefing, the group of 25 seven- and eight-year-olds went on a quarry tour and were able to see some of the large machinery on site in action.
Jess Emery, Teacher at Axbridge First School, said: “We really appreciate the time the team at Batts Combe give to our students each year.
“It’s a great way for the children to understand more about an important industry in their community and how essential the limestone rock is to our everyday lives.”
Luke Wilson, Unit Manager at Batts Combe quarry said: “The young Axbridge First School pupils were full of curiosity, and it was great to see their enthusiasm.
“We were also thrilled to be able to return to Kings Of Wessex’s career event and really value the positive relationship we have built in recent years with the school’s careers team.”