Level 5 Pre-Apprenticeship Joinery students from Ayrshire College have brought learning, wellbeing and community together through a five‑week project transforming outdoor spaces at Park School, Kilmarnock.
Using timber, tools and teamwork, the students designed and built a vibrant outdoor classroom complete with handmade stools, a reading chair, colourful benches and planters. Alongside these practical learning spaces, they also created two special features focused on wellbeing: a Friendship Bench and a memorial bench dedicated to a much‑loved Park School pupil.
The project gave students the opportunity to apply their joinery skills in a real‑world setting while working collaboratively to enhance the school’s outdoor environment. The finished spaces now offer pupils places to learn, socialise, reflect and connect with one another.
At the heart of the project is a carefully crafted memorial bench, created in memory of Katy, a much‑loved member of the Park School community who sadly passed away. Positioned as a peaceful place for reflection and remembrance, the bench sits alongside the Friendship Bench, a space designed to encourage conversation, inclusion and peer support among pupils.
Head Teacher Carol Ann Burns praised both the quality of the work and the compassion shown by the students:
This project has been incredibly meaningful for our school community. The students have shown exceptional creativity, teamwork and care in delivering something truly special for Park School and its pupils. The memorial bench for Katy is a beautiful tribute and will remain a cherished place for reflection for years to come.
The initiative was delivered in partnership with Ayrshire College, supporting students to develop practical, vocational and employability skills while making a positive contribution to the local community.
Craig Barrie, Lecturer in Construction Technology, Trades and Renewables at Ayrshire College, said:
It has been a privilege to support our Level 5 Construction students on this project. They have demonstrated outstanding dedication and skill, applying what they’ve learned to create something meaningful in a real‑world environment. Projects like this show the value of hands‑on learning and the positive impact our students can have within their communities.
The outdoor classroom furniture, planters, Friendship Bench and memorial bench now stand as a lasting testament to the students’ craftsmanship, teamwork and the strong sense of community shared by Park School and Ayrshire College.