Construction students from Hereford’s New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) worked alongside the Snodhill Castle Preservation Trust (SCPT) this month as part of an innovative project aimed at enhancing one of Herefordshire’s most significant heritage sites, Snodhill Castle, located near Dorstone in Herefordshire’s Golden Valley.
The collaboration saw around ten students from NMITE’s industry-led Construction Management degree, take part in an eight-day intensive programme focused on improving visitor experience, site management and long-term preservation at Snodhill Castle. The initiative formed part of SCPT’s “Fortifying the Future” project, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, which seeks to secure the long-term future of the historic castle while creating new opportunities for public engagement, education and heritage discovery.
At the beginning of June, the construction students worked both at NMITE’s Skylon Campus and on site at Snodhill Castle, tackling real-world challenges designed to inform future development and conservation work. The format enabled participants to explore challenges, test ideas and present recommendations, while laying foundations for future NMITE student cohorts to build upon. At the conclusion of the programme, students presented their findings and proposals to representatives from Snodhill Castle Preservation Trust.
Andy de Bell, Trustee of SCPT said “The NMITE students brought creativity and imagination to the solutions they recommended: things that, for a small trust such as ours, are practical and realistic for us to implement. I can’t wait until I have an opportunity to bring different projects to the team to get the same kind of input.”
The Snodhill Castle challenge exemplifies NMITE’s distinctive project-based learning model, where students gain hands-on experience, extensive industry and community engagement, and a 12-week work placement, building the knowledge, practical skills and confidence needed to make an immediate impact in the sector. With a strong focus on sustainable construction and real-world challenges, graduates leave career-ready and prepared to become the next generation of construction and built environment leaders.
NMITE’s Professor Sarah Hitt who is Programme Lead for the BSc Construction Management degree said” We were delighted to have worked with the Snodhill Castle Preservation Trust. Working with real-world partners enables our students to practice engagement skills, leadership skills, teamwork skills, navigate problems and overcome setbacks. And if this opportunity appeals to students who want to enter the construction sector and want to learn through industry-led learning, digital innovation and sustainable construction practices then please get in touch as we are currently recruiting students for the BSc (Hons) Construction Management degree starting in September 2026.”
One group of students focused on the challenge of structural monitoring. Their task was to investigate how data collection and surveys could be used to better understand the condition of the castle’s structures and support future risk management. Students undertook an initial discovery phase, exploring what information should be collected, how it could be gathered and what future work may be required.
The second group of students concentrated on enhancing the visitor entrance experience. They developed ideas to improve access to information, gather feedback and make the site more inviting. Working through the early stages of the design process, students generated and refined a range of creative concepts that could help shape future visitor engagement.
Surrey Garland, also a Trustee of SPCT said: “The association with NMITE was irresistible for us because it brings a rather mysterious 900-year-old castle into contact with the cutting-edge technology of the students who are studying Construction Management. The NMITE crew were engaging, motivated, different and curious, which is one of the most significant things to value in their contribution. They’ve brought a new generation alive to the challenges of heritage and its preservation and conservation.”
The work drew on previous research commissioned by the Trust, including its 2025 Audience Review and Engagement Strategy and a detailed archaeological, architectural and aerial survey of the site. Student work was also informed by local expertise, including from Hudson Stonework and Hurley and Davies.
NMITE’s accelerated, industry-led Construction Management degree is designed to develop work-ready professionals equipped to help shape the future of the built environment. Delivered over two years, the programme responds to growing demand for skilled construction leaders as the UK works to deliver new homes, renew critical infrastructure and create thriving, sustainable communities.
Find out more here: https://nmite.ac.uk/undergraduate-degrees/construction-management-degree-bsc-hons