West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has helped to celebrate the opening of the extension to a facility which has been part-constructed by its students. The MP helped to open the new classrooms at The Bridge, in Hanley Swan and toured the facility with students and teachers. The Bridge offers a range of practical, vocational and employment training courses to help over 50 young people who are at local schools, not attending a school or of college age. It also has a farm shop selling locally grown and sourced produce staffed by the pupils. The new buildings, which were completed with the help of students carrying out construction training courses, now include a second kitchen and additional classrooms, construction workshop and mechanics unit. Harriett commented: “It was very interesting to see the work carried out at The Bridge and to meet with the staff and pupils. “It offers a very wide range of non-traditional subjects to help pupils to gain practical experience that isn't always available at school and the place has a really great atmosphere. “Some children do thrive more in a smaller scale setting with practical subjects so it is great that we have such an impressive facility on our doorstep to make sure that every child gets the chance to get effective training to help them make their way in the adult world of work.” Photo: Harriett Baldwin MP tours The Bridge classrooms with head teacher Sue Hornby and trustee Angela Farmer.