Pupils from Southgate School in Almondbury have helped transform part of the Huddersfield Broad Canal through a volunteering project with the Canal & River Trust.

Students from Chestnut Class, aged 13 to 15, have been volunteering every week for more than six months at Lock 6, helping to look after the canal, locks and towpath.

The project was set up after class teacher Heather Williams contacted TSL Kirklees Volunteer Service to find a suitable community project where pupils could learn new skills and give something back locally.

TSL Kirklees matched the school with Canal & River Trust volunteer team leader Rik Battye, who created a special volunteering project for the class.

Since November, the students have taken on litter picking, vegetation clearance, grid clearing and lock maintenance. They have also built and planted three raised beds beside the towpath at Riddings Lock, near Deighton.

Heather said: “Volunteering with the Canal & River Trust has provided a fantastic opportunity for students to gain meaningful, real-world work experience and develop important skills that will support them as they move on to post-16 education, training and employment.

“Throughout the project, pupils have shown great resilience and determination, continuing to get involved even when tasks felt challenging or outside their comfort zone, and even during poor weather.

“They have built a brilliant relationship with Rik and have grown in confidence to the point where they can now work independently and follow instructions with minimal support.

“One of the most rewarding parts of the project for the pupils has been seeing the positive impact of their work week by week, with pupils taking real pride in the improvements they have helped create.

“It has also been lovely when passing members of the public have said thank you to the pupils for their hard work.”

Rik said the group had made a “huge impact” on the area around the locks.

He added: “The locks look great and the litter is under control. Plus, through the winter months, the students have built and planted three raised beds next to the towpath.

“This area was just a muddy patch of ground full of weeds and litter, but over six months it has been transformed into something amazing.

“It has been fantastic to watch this area improve and for this group of people to engage with the space, and the tasks, in the way they have.”

The Canal & River Trust and Southgate School are now planning more work for next year, including more improvement projects, maintenance and chances for students to learn about ecology and conservation.

Anyone who would like help finding a volunteer role can email volunteer@tslkirklees.org.uk.