A CONSTRUCTION site is being used to lay the foundations of a greater understanding of design for school children.

Developers CALA have been encouraging pupils at Ghyll Royd school to keep up to date with their former school building in Ilkley, since taking over the site last year.

And now the educationally-minded developers have launched an arts competition for youngsters, based around their Grove Road development of seven detached houses.

The school's nine, ten and 11-year-olds are to put pen to paper and conjure up an image of one of the houses to be built there.

The pupils who draws the best likeness will win a family day and night at Alton Towers.

Jennifer Bonner, headteacher of Ghyll Royd, said: "Since we moved to Grey Stone, CALA have kept us informed of their plans and have turned their development into something of a learning opportunity for the pupils.

"The art competition will form a good, educational project which will help the children develop their art and design talent."

CALA has created a monthly time-table of activities, including an educational site visit, open forum with an architect and burying a time-capsule - in a bid to involve pupils in a new stage of their school's history.

Jacky Banyard, sales and marketing director at CALA, said: "We want to maintain our ties with Ghyll Royd and because our site holds such history for the school we want to involve the pupils in our activities as much as possible.

"By working closely with Mrs Bonner, we agree that an art competition will help develop the children's creative minds while keeping to the national curriculum. This is the first stage in a closely consulted educational programme and we are looking forward to working alongside the school throughout the year."

The winning picture and a selection of all the entries will be displayed in CALA's Ghyll Royd sales office.

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