Rivington and Blackrod High School, Rivington Lane, Rivington

ENTERPRISING pupils at Rivington and Blackrod High are making and selling garden furniture.

In fact, the business has taken off in a big way with orders flooding in from schools and individuals to the extent that they are finding it hard to deal with the demand.

The Woodworx scheme under the school’s POWERWAVE Skills project, is aimed partly at developing vocational skills in children of various ages, is also used by other pupils from other schools and young adults.

Although the scheme had no start-up funding it is now making profits, which are all ploughed back into the fledgling business to buy more materials and better equipment.

The scheme is split between two sites in Crown Lane and Lostock Lane, Horwich, and local firms, Anthony Axford and Herbert T Forrest, are also backing the scheme.

Tutor David Heys said: “It’s been fantastic and the whole thing has exploded. We are having difficulty coping with all the orders we are getting in. “We are very excited to be nominated in the business awards, but it is a tribute to all the pupils who have worked hard.”

Initial fabrication used donated materials and recycled items, until sales provided some operating funds.

From that basic start in November last year, orders worth more than £3,000 have been received.

The students at the centre design and create garden furniture, including benches, picnic benches, bird tables, free-standing bird boxes, wall-mounted bird boxes, a variety of planters, aviary furniture and fencing.

The scheme is supported by local businesses, one of which sent a joiner to demonstrate to the pupils the process of building large planters.

Ladybridge High School and a school in Wigan have placed orders worth more than £2,000 each for 10 50p-shaped benches which can seat up to 12 pupils.