Crawley College student cements success in Regional Bricklaying competition  

Bricks, trowels and talent were put to the test as a Crawley College student placed third in the Southern Regional Final of the Guild of Bricklayers National Championships 2026.  

Sara Whitehead, a bricklaying student at the college, placed third in the senior category of the competition, hosted at the college.  

The competition saw over 20 students from seven colleges come together to take on an industry-standard challenge designed to reflect the knowledge developed in the classroom.  

Students were divided into two categories, with level two Bricklaying students participating in the junior category and level three students participating in the senior category.  

After completing the challenge, prizes were awarded for the top three students in each category, with the first-place winners in each category invited to represent the region at the National Finals in June.  

The Southern Regional Finals form one of ten regional finals held up and down the country, all designed to test the very best young builders in education.  

Sarah Whitehead said:  
“I entered to challenge myself and get the experience of another competition…I did the senior category last time, and did it again, as it is just a good experience.  

When asked if she would recommend the competition, she added: “Yeah, absolutely, it’s a good experience, it challenges you, and it’s just fun.”  

Steve Southern, National Competition Secretary for the Guild of Bricklayers, added:  
“We are a charity, formed in 1932, so we are fast approaching our 100-year anniversary. I competed in these finals as a student…We are craftsmen, we love our craft, and to see young people also taking that on is rewarding in itself.  

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