'Children can teach parents how to unclog the sink'

Will Hunter's first pipework stand the bucket test?

Installing pipework, fixing leaks and hanging radiators are on the curriculum at a primary school.

All 120 year five and six pupils at Sandon Primary Academy in Staffordshire are being taught practical plumbing skills including how to fit sinks.

Hebden Bridge-based organisation, Plumb Learning, conduct workshops across the country and are becoming more popular in mainstream schools.

"The kids leave my classes high-fiving each other at their accomplishments, and go home to teach their parents how to bleed the radiators and unclog the sink," workshop leader Scott Hutchinson said.

Leo is fully focused on his drilling as Charlie inspects his handiwork

Plumb Learning CIC wants to create inclusive, hands-on learning opportunities that go beyond the traditional classroom.

The community interest company also offers tiling sessions to children as young as ten years old.

Nicola Pointon works at Sandon Primary Academy and said the school is always keen to do things differently.

"Our headteacher Mrs Beckett wanted to give the students skills they wouldn't ordinarily learn in and out of school."

Keen learner Charlie said he preferred the lesson to literacy and maths, although classmate Hafsah pointed out the cross-curricular links within the activities.

"We had to figure out how much we needed to use and how many [pipes and connections] we needed to complete the design."

The decision to include whole year groups helps address the common perception that the profession is for men.

A government report published in 2023, suggested that 5% of employees across 687 heating and cooling businesses were female, but the report noted: "The sector may be slightly less diverse than these numbers imply."

Mr Hutchinson, also believes the sessions improve independent problem solving, self-determination and personal confidence.