PUPILS from Harper Green School tried their hands at being the hospital workers of tomorrow at a special plastering workshop.

Year Nine students were invited to Royal Bolton Hospital to learn how to apply plaster casts as part of a project.

Hospital workers talked the pupils through the process before allowing them to apply plaster to their classmates and health care assistants.

It is part of a ten-week community project, aimed at giving children a better idea of what it is like to work in the health industry.

It follows a similar project last year.

Paula Holmes-Patel, assistant head teacher at Harper Green School said: “Last year we did our first community project in the hospital where kids learned soft skills, team work, communication and empathy.

“This year we’ve chosen Year Nine students for the same sort of idea to give them a sense of what it’s like being in the community, helping others, and learning to work together.

“Also for some students who do health and social care it gives them an idea of what it’s like in the health industry and see the careers that are available and give them an opportunity to do something they wouldn’t usually do.

“It’s developing those skills that we don’t teach as the curriculum but are really important.

“The staff seem to love it and the kids certainly do too. “

Lydia Hill, play coordinator at the hospital said that feedback from the last sessions were so positive that it was a no brainer to invite the school back.

She said: “For us it’s been all about community cohesion and allowing children to see things in a safe way.

“It’s always really important for us to show people the positive side of a hospital as well.

“We did a pre-visit, with safety talks, hand washing and a 15-step challenge. We’re working towards encouraging these children to perhaps take it up as a career.

“The feedback from the pupils last time was brilliant.”