Laying the foundations for tomorrow: St Helens backs new construction GCSE

Article date: 10 October 

Main contractor VINCI Building, which is delivering the scheme on behalf of St Helens Borough Council and ECF - a partnership between Homes England, Muse and L&G - has been working with the school to help design and resource the new qualification, which launches this month.

The idea first took shape in Summer 2024, following conversations between St Cuthbert's Careers Lead, Vicky Jones, and VINCI Building's social value team. Inspired by similar successful programmes elsewhere, both recognised the benefit of equipping local students with practical skills and direct links to industry.

As part of the initiative, VINCI Building has engaged one of its trusted suppliers, the St Helens-based Knauf Insulation UK, to provide high-quality construction materials and tools. These will be used in lessons to give students real-world, hands-on experience with industry-standard products.

To complement these resources, VINCI Building and Knauf Insulation UK will also deliver specialist training sessions to pupils. These sessions will introduce students to a wide range of techniques including acoustic lay-in grid ceiling installation, airless spray plastering, hand jointing and finishing, and advanced metal stud partitions, as well as bonding, taping and positioning insulation boards.

This partnership is designed to bridge the gap between education and employment by preparing students for further study, apprenticeships, and careers in construction.

[Draft quote, for comment by school] Vicky Jones, Careers Lead at St Cuthbert's Catholic High School, said: "This is an exciting moment for our school and our students. The new GCSE in Construction will open doors to new opportunities, giving our young people the chance to learn practical skills, work with real materials, and be inspired by professionals in the industry. We are grateful to VINCI Building, Knauf Insulation UK, St Helens Borough Council and ECF for their support in making this possible. It shows our students that the community believes in them and their futures."

Councillor Kate Groucutt, Cabinet Member for Business and Inclusive Growth at St Helens Borough Council, said: "Our regeneration programme is about so much more than bricks and mortar - it's about people, opportunities, and hope for the future. This new GCSE in Construction is a fantastic example of how investment in our town can directly benefit our young people. By working with schools and industry, we're giving students the chance to gain real skills, confidence and inspiration for their future careers. That's the true measure of regeneration - creating positive change that lasts for generations."

Sean Traynor, the Director of Strategic Growth at St Helens Borough Council and one of the driving forces behind the town centre regeneration has extra reason to be pleased with links between the project and the school as he is a former St Cuthbert's pupil.

"I'm truly grateful to St Cuthbert's as they provided me with the skills to start my career, starting at a company in construction and based around the corner in Sutton. By supporting this new GCSE, we're giving young people the skills and confidence to build their own futures, while also helping to grow the construction workforce our economy needs."

Hannah Bailey, Social Value Manager at VINCI Building, said:
"We're delighted to be working with St Cuthbert's on this pioneering course. Giving students access to real construction materials and training from industry experts ensures they get a genuine taste of the sector and the opportunities it can offer."

Matt Whiteley, Senior Development Manager at ECF, added: "At the heart of our regeneration plans is a commitment to deliver long-term social and economic benefits. This initiative is a fantastic example of that in action - supporting young people, strengthening local education, and building pathways into skilled careers."

The new course underlines the wider social impact being delivered through the St Helens town centre regeneration programme, with partners committed to creating benefits that extend far beyond the construction site. It represents a meaningful step forward in aligning classroom learning with industry expectations and is set to play a positive role in shaping the future workforce of construction professionals.

St Cuthbert's Secondary Modern School was opened by the Most Reverend John Carmel Heenan, Archbishop of Liverpool, on 29 September 1957. It was the first Catholic Secondary Modern to be built since the end of the Second World War. Famous in the 1960s for its rugby and football achievements, the school became a high school following education reforms in the early 1970s that introduced the comprehensive system.