Pupils from St Agnes RC Primary School in NW2 have collaborated with Elysian Residences, a developer and operator of retirement living, to learn about building site health and safety.

The drawings are now on display on the hoardings at Elysian's new development, The Oren, which is currently under construction in West Heath Road, Hampstead, London NW3.

Through a four-month project, the pupils aged 7 to 9 from St Agnes RC School received a presentation on building site safety from Elysian Residences, following which they were asked to create an illustration showcasing the dangers of a building site.

The illustrations were part of a school artwork competition and the judges, Janine Jasper representing Elysian Residences, Tony Cobb, The Oren Site Manager from Kingscote Construction and St Agnes teacher Nadia Panas-O’Brien, faced some hard decisions but managed to settle on five winning entries. The winning designs were then used to create specially framed artworks on the site hoardings, which have recently been installed onsite at West Heath Road.

The pupils and staff were given the VIP treatment with a guided site tour of The Oren, with each guest provided with their own Hi-Vis jacket to keep. Olivier, Aleksandra, Zuzanna and Mia, all aged 7 to 9, attended with teacher Nadia Panas-O’Brien, and teaching assistants Chanelle Dias and Elizabeth Pamo-Simples.

The tour also gave winners the opportunity to see first-hand their creative work displayed on a large scale on the hoardings and to have a ‘meeting’ in the site Boardroom.                                

The ‘meeting’ allowed winners to not only ask questions but to also tuck into handmade cakes, provided by Oren neighbour Jessica, who had heard about the competition and wanted to make something special for the winners and teachers.

Mrs O’ Reilly, Head Teacher at St Agnes RC Primary School, commented: “We are very appreciative of educational opportunities that can both stimulate and inspire pupils, which is why opportunities like the building site health and safety presentation provided by Elysian Residences, are important.” 

“While not all 120 pupils who saw the presentation were able to win and visit The Oren building site, the information and issues presented have provided food for thought, as pupils realise that building sites are not just about deliveries of cement and bricks.”

“Our budding artists were thrilled to have won and excited to be able to visit a real building site and see their works displayed: the child sized Hi-vis vests were greatly appreciated and made them feel part of the site team.”

Gavin Stein, Chief Executive Office, Elysian Residences, said: “Elysian Residences are committed to building and supporting communities, both within the residences we develop, such as The Oren, and the wider area. The opportunity to work with community groups and schools, providing both support and extramural opportunities also brings a new dynamic to our work, helping to ensure that the communities we create are integrated with their wider surroundings.”  

“Our vision is for The Oren to become the best retirement community in Hampstead, which is already one of the finest places in London to live.”  

See the full gallery of the winning drawings on The Oren development profile.