Students of special educational needs and disability (SEND) and alternative provision (AP) schools across the Black Country have been invited to take part in a design and construction competition.

The Midland Metro Alliance (MMA), which is spearheading the design and delivery of tramway extensions across the region for Transport for West Midlands, has launched the initiative for the second consecutive year.

It asks participants to build a bug hotel, or potentially innovative tram stop designs, throughout spring.

 

 

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The competition has previously received recognition from The Career & Enterprise Company for its outreach to SEND and AP students who often encounter additional hurdles.

Oli de Botton, CEO at the company, lauded the scheme, saying: "It’s fantastic that the team at the MMA are once again giving back to their local community to host such a wonderful competition."

Teams chosen by their schools, divided into various age groups, will vie for prizes and work together for a collective celebration of their work and ideas later in the year.

Rose Rees, MMA Head of Engagement and Skills, said: "Last year’s competition was an absolute highlight of our education workstream and it’s fantastic to be able to do it all again."

The competition was launched on February 21.

Schools can submit their entries until June 14.

Angela Moore, senior delivery manager for Careers Strategy at the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), said: "WMCA are keen for more employers to offer opportunities for SEND and AP pupils across the region to help them develop their skills and learn about the next steps after education.

"It is a pleasure to work with the MMA on their superb careers outreach spearheaded by Rose Rees and the wider team."

Schools have also been asked to document the competition journey of students through photos, journals, and videos.

Judging will be held ahead of an award ceremony to take place in Wolverhampton on Tuesday, June 25.