STUDENTS from Arnewood School were brought to a housing development in New Milton. 

Housebuilder Pennyfarthing Homes secured the former Advertiser & Times premises in Compton Road in 2022, following the sale of the paper to Illiffe News & Media in October 2020. 

The firm partnered with the school to offer students studying BTEC construction a hands-on learning experience at the site. 

Over several weeks, small groups of students enjoyed a unique opportunity to tour the site, gaining first hand experience of daily operations on an active construction site. 

Site manager Tim Cummings said: “I was truly impressed by the student's curiosity, they asked some very technical questions about managing a project of this size.  

“With many of them approaching important exams, I hope this experience has inspired some to consider a career in construction.   

“It’s a field that is incredibly rewarding, varied and offers so much beyond the typical desk job.”  

Pennyfarthing Homes was granted planning permission to convert the main office building into 10 modern apartments with the demolition of the former print room and warehouse with two new blocks of apartments providing 13 further homes.   

Work began in the spring this year with completion targeted for autumn 2025.  

Head of technology at Arnewood School, Mr Clarke, said: “The students returned to school full of excitement. 

“They learned a great deal from Tim, from how a site is set up to the construction techniques commonly used in the industry today.  

“His insights into the challenges of creating new homes in today’s market were invaluable.” 

Student Charlie Blackburn said: “I had such an amazing experience at Pennyfarthing’s New Milton development site.  

“Construction is my favourite subject, and seeing how homes are built was inspiring.  I am now seriously considering a future in construction or architecture.” 

The development is a joint venture with the New Forest District Council with the scheme providing 100 per cent of the units as both affordable homes for rent and emergency housing accommodation for families facing homelessness, addressing a pressing need for high-quality homes in the area.