Release Date:  16-Jul-2008

The race is on this weekend for parents and pupils

Life in the engineering fast-lane could beckon for pupils from two Bristol schools who have been working on an after school project with their parents and Airbus engineers to build their very own kit cars from scratch to race on Saturday 19th July.

The challenge is part of Bristol's Learning Communities and extended schools programmes and aims to encourage parents with no or few qualifications to support their own and their children's learning.  It also aims to encourage more girls to take an interest in engineering as a career.

A team of parents and pupils from Monks Park School, Horfield, and from Henbury Court Primary School, Henbury, have worked with professionals from project sponsors Airbus to guide them through the complex parts to end up with raceworthy cars.   They will be racing with ten other schools from Somerset and South Gloucestershire on Saturday.

Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Cohesion and Attainment Cllr Peter Hammond said:

“These pupils and parents have created something very exciting and challenging together outside of school time.  This project has been a prime opportunity for girls to get excited about engineering and I’m delighted that several girls and some mums took part.  I wish them all the best of luck for the race - please come and show your support.”

Neil Scott, Vice President Engineering for Airbus in the UK, said:

“This has been a really exciting project for everyone involved, not only for the children, but also for our engineers who have found it rewarding to be able to offer an introduction to engineering for many of these eager pupils”

The primary school pupils have built a “goblin” car suitable for 10 to 12 year olds with a top speed of 15mph and the older secondary school children have constructed a “greenpower seagull” which features twin-disc breaks and can reach 22mph. Each school has produced two cars.

Monks Park Headteacher Dr Helen Holman said:

" I am delighted to see parents working with their children helped by experts from our local industries. It has been a real learning curve for all of us and it has been great to see us develop as a team. This project is exactly what we want to promote with Monks Park at the centre of our community. I'm sure everyone will enjoy the race day"

Henbury Court Primary School Headteacher Sue Anstey said

“This project has been great for both our children and parents.  They have all shown so much enthusiasm and commitment to working together to build the cars.  The children now just can’t wait to get out on the race track!  Thank you so much to the Airbus engineers who have supported our two teams so well.”

Background

The public are welcome to watch the races at Airbus UK, Filton on Saturday 19th July between 11am and 5pm.  Entry is free and car parking and refreshments are available.  Access to the event is via the West Gate entrance on Charlton Rd, Brentry.

According to the 2001 Census 29 per cent of adults in Bristol do not hold level 2 (five GCSEs) qualifications.  In Southmead ward this rises to 39 per cent and in Henbury 44 per cent.

As well as sponsorship from Airbus funding is being provided through the Learning Communties Team by the West of England Learning and Skills Council.  The Learning and Skills Council oversees all funding for post 16 learning, and works with local authorities and other providers to raise the qualifications and skills amongst young people and adults.

Author:   Julia Walton 0117 9222732

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