Carpenter brings woodwork classes to West Lothian school pupils as part of West Lothian Woodworking Initiative

An innovative project which brings woodwork classes into primary schools is being praised by teachers who’ve called them transformational for children.

Launched by one man, the West Lothian Woodworking Initiative, which is funded by HCI Skills Gateway, aims to encourage young people into science and engineering.

Graeme Binnie, a lecturer at West Lothian College, has been bringing his passion for woodwork into classrooms at nearly all 69 schools in West Lothian.

Graeme told STV News: “We show them how to use the tools and you just show them once or twice and then they just take the lead themselves.

“They’re very confident and it’s nice to see that they’re building up their skillset at such a young age with the tools and with the wood.

“I think building up that skillset early is beneficial to them, a holistic approach to their learning.”

There are now ambitions to extend the initiative on a national level and across secondary schools.

Teachers say the programme has been transformational for the children.

Miss Rebecca Doolan said: “It’s a really good opportunity for children, especially in younger classes.

“We’ve seen a real positive impact on wellbeing. We really focus on play in early years in particular, it’s open-ended and helps to foster creativity.

“They pupils are really proud of what they have made and they enjoy sharing it with their peers.”