PLUMBERS and beauticians might not seem like your average secondary school teachers, but at King Edmund Community School in Yate they are laying the foundations of children's careers. The once-troubled school opened its new vocational centre at the beginning of this year and for some pupils, the chance to learn practical job skills has turned their lives around. Ali Dent took a closer look.

ASPIRING builders and beauticians at a Yate school are cementing their way to a better future, thanks to the first year of practical courses being offered at a new vocational centre.

Students at King Edmund Community School in Sundridge Park are snapping up courses in construction, engineering and beauty therapy and some programmes are even full for next year.

Headteacher Roger Gilbert said: "I am very pleased with the way in which students are taking on the courses and that we as a school are able to provide a more relevant education experience for some youngsters within the school."

He said staff chose the three courses based on what they thought would prove popular with students.

"We chose courses we felt were appropriate to offer to children here and those which would best suit their needs," said Mr Gilbert.

"And we are very pleased with the outcomes we have been getting. There has been a definite impact on some students who would otherwise have been turned off by an entirely GCSE-based curriculum."

Fifteen-year-old Shane Smith will soon be an expert in beauty therapy and hopes to utilise the craft he is learning now later in his career.

The Year 10 pupil is the only boy at King Edmunds to work in the vocational centre's beauty salon Relaxtation and despite teasing from other students, he jumped at the chance to start the VTCT course.

Shane, who hopes to become a drama therapist, said: "It was a good opportunity to take up as I want to go into performing arts and am interested in stage make-up and the therapy side of things.

"It is really interesting - we have just finished manicures and are now learning how to give facials."

He added: "It is fun working with all the girls."

Beautician Jenny Lister runs the salon, which students often open to family and friends, and offer everything from eyelash tints and shaping to pedicures and manicures.

She said: "Lots of the students say beauty therapy is their favourite subject but the course is not just about looking nice.

"There is lots of theory involved and they need to work very hard."

Plumber Keith Evershed teaches his trade to classes of young men keen to go into the business. In a modern workshop, they get the chance to build a kitchen and a bathroom from start to finish and are taught skills from welding to health and safety issues.

The vocational centre was created from the school's dilapidated old science block. It took several years to complete and cost £3 million.

A total of 65 pupils are currently enrolled on the construction, beauty and engineering courses both at school and post 16 level and expansion plans for a hair salon are currently being drawn up.

But it is not only pupils from King Edmunds who benefit from the pioneering centre, as the school works in collaboration with Chipping Sodbury and Brimsham Green Schools.

Mr Gilbert added: "The centre is going from strength to strength and it is not just about giving young people hands-on experience but also about providing them with business opportunities for the future, which will benefit the whole community."