In February 2025, the Year 5 classes at Delves Lane Primary School in Consett, County Durham, took part in a project on the Consett Steelworks, forming part of our two-year Consett Heritage Project. The children learnt about the history of the steelworks and developed their understanding of the impact that the steelworks closure had, and continues to have, on the community. They interviewed Alan, a former steelworker, and began to consider the positives and negatives of the steelworks closure.
The students then created paintings and decorated a quilt under the title- 'Consett Past and Present'. Some of their designs included the Hownsgill Viaduct, Consett AFC, images of the steelworks, the red dust, and the contrast of the environment in the steelworks era compared to present.
The children then worked in groups to develop a poem, thinking about the ways that Consett Steelworks has impacted the community, both positively and negatively. Each group chose a photo relating to the Consett Steelworks, and wrote their own poems using poetic techniques. We hope you enjoy them!
The Last Chimney
This poem was created by Aaron, Heidi, Imogen, Isla, Lily and Zac.
Monuments and Memories
This poem was created by Lilly-Rose, Oliver, Thalia and Teddy.
Consett's Caterpillar
This poem was created by Hylton, Lainee, Lewis, Miles and Paula Louise.
Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / December 10th, 2024
Youth Social Action / December 10th, 2024
Aspirations and Future Planning / December 10th, 2024
The Importance of Vocational Visits to Aid Employability in Young People
At Building Self-Belief, one of the many programmes is the ‘Bridging the Gap’ Youth Employability Programme. Recently, this programme was conducted with year 10 boys from Boldon School. The first few workshops centred around improving wellbeing, and then the boys prepared for their vocational visit by working on goal setting, CV making and considering what makes a good employee.
Consett Heritage Project / September 9th, 2024
Joan Colling - Consett Heritage Podcast
Joan is from a family who have lived and worked in Consett for many generations. She worked at the steelworks and discussed her role at the steelworks, and the impact the closure had on her family, friends and the community as a whole.
Youth Social Action / June 3rd, 2026
Wellbeing and the Arts / June 3rd, 2026
Benfieldside Community Garden / June 3rd, 2026
Creating our Very own Fairy Garden
When we asked the children at our Children's Gardening Club, what they thought was missing from our community garden, the one thing they all really wanted was their very own Fary Garden. Take a look at our short film about the creation of the Benfieldside Fairy Garden, they have made a fabulous job of it!