PUPILS at a Barry primary school swapped uniforms for hi-vis jackets and hard hats to become builders for a day.

Year 4 pupils from Barry Island primary spent the day learning about the building trade and visited the former Marine Hotel on Barry Island.

The pupils and teacher Polly Davies visited the building site to see how contractors Pendragon Design and Build are planning on changing the hotel to offer 20 new and affordable homes on the Island.

The £2.4million development started in March 2014 and is being built for Newydd Housing Association in partnership with Vale Council.

Apprentice carpenter Sian Bridge gave the pupils a demonstration on the tools she uses and spoke about how to get work in the construction industry.

They completed an online safety quiz and found out about the history of the historic hotel which was built by Francis Crawshay in 1850.

He was a keen yachtsman and the hotel beds were bunks and access to upper floors were from iron ladders.

Pupils used site maps to decipher where they were on site, saw how a fork lift raised heavy blocks and spoke to Dorian the site manager about his job and what he does each day.

Teacher, Polly Davies said; “Such a wonderful opportunity to be a part of such a great project, real people, real jobs, in our local community. We can't wait to learn and develop along this journey together."

Head teacher Ty Golding added: “The opportunities from working alongside Newydd have been both exciting and meaningful. The children have enjoyed planning for and meeting the professionals involved in the redevelopment project. The site visit has provided a wonderful insight into both the environment and processes involved in construction and engineering work.

“Furthermore, the chance for girls to see and communicate with women who are in key roles in such projects has no doubt been a catalyst for them to discuss and begin considering such careers for themselves in the future.”

The pupils will revisit the former Marine Hotel as a basis for their class project for the term and hope to create a time capsule, in September.