despite belief to the contrary. The trip provided students with
first-hand experience of complex plastic-moulding processes
operating in context, and was also a valuable demonstration of
how a successful factory is run and managed, including the use of
just-in-time manufacture, and the importance of recycling/reusing
off-cuts as the cost of raw materials steadily climbs.
James Crocker, Oliver Rees and Bradley Matthews have been
awarded a nationally sought-after Arkwright Engineering
Scholarship, which identifies them as some of the country's future
leaders in engineering and technical design. The Scholarships are
respected by leading universities and companies and are supported
by top engineering employers and organisations such as RollsRoyce, BAE
Systems, Balfour Beatty and Microsoft Research.
They all had to successfully complete a rigorous selection process,
including a two-hour aptitude exam and an interview hosted at a
top engineering university. A total of 1,380 students applied this
year in the UK, for 380 engineering scholarship awards. James
Crocker has been sponsored by The Nuclear Institute, which
specialises in the education and training of nuclear professionals;
Oliver Rees by Douglas Bomford, a leading agricultural engineering
trust, and Bradley Matthews by Atkins, one of the world's leading
design, engineering and project management consultancies. Their
awards are very well-deserved and we are immensely proud of all
three scholars.
A key focus in our department is to open the eyes of our
students to the vast array of exciting career possibilities, by
bringing in people who work in design and engineering to
share their experiences and inspire the next generation.
Please get in touch if you know of anyone who would
be willing to provide an enlightening insight into their
profession.
Bradley Matthews, Garden Bench, GCSE
Oliver Rees' Portable Bike Workbench and his CAD drawing
of the workbench, GCSE
Arkwright scholars Bradley Matthews, Oliver Rees and James Crocker
Leea Dod with her Saddle Rack, GCSE
Design Technology 87