Autistic students are being given a taste of life on the building site thanks to new specially fitted workshops.

On Friday the National Autistic Society’s Anderson School in Chigwell launched its Curriculum Construction Project.

Prior to the event father and son duo Steve and Andy Hammond, who form part of the training team at the Chelmsford-based Anderson Group, fitted out purpose-built workshops in the school so that six students at a time can have their own uninterrupted work area.

There are also individual tool boxes and building materials for each student, which were supplied free of charge by builder’s merchant Buildbase.

Students will learn about site and tool handling safety, the basics of painting and decorating, brickwork and tiling.

Gary Simm, principal of the Anderson School, said: “We have high ambitions for all our students.

"We want to give each of them as many opportunities as possible to explore future career choices and gain experience in a safe and known environment.

“Creating links with industry is central to this.

"We're delighted to be working with the Anderson Foundation on this exciting project - and grateful to Mark for making it all happen.

“Our school has only been open a year, but the students have achieved a huge amount already.

"We’re growing all the time and with projects like this there’s really no limit to what our students can achieve.”

Rotating through the upper years of the school, all students in years 8, 9 and 10 will spend half a term working on construction projects.

It is hoped the taster will inspire them to pursue apprenticeships or employment within the industry.

Mark Lever, chief executive of the National Autistic Society, added: “I'm always struck by the huge potential of the autistic children in our schools and want to make sure they're given the platform they need to excel.

"This is one of a number of projects we're hoping to launch to give our students experience of careers in different industries."

Just 16 per cent of autistic adults are thought to be in full-time paid employment.

The National Autistic Society has been providing specialist education to children and young people on the autism spectrum for over 50 years and runs eight schools, including the Anderson School which opened in September 2017 and which will eventually cater for up to 128 autistic students aged 11 to 19.