News Archive

Local School Pupils Aim Higher with Eastleigh College

Chris Huhne MP with studentsStudentCantell School - winners

Pupils from four Hampshire schools enjoyed some time out of the classroom last week to take part in the Building Services Aimhigher Challenge at Eastleigh College. The challenge is designed to increase awareness of the various routes to further and higher education among young people, whilst giving them a taste of the some of the key building trades.

More than 60 Year 9 pupils aged 13 and 14, from Quilley School of Engineering, Bitterne Park Secondary School, Cantell School and The Mountbatten School were given the opportunity to take part in the event. They learnt key carpentry, plumbing, electrical and site management skills in order to fit skirting boards, window frames, and to wire and plumb a shower unit in their team's 'house'. The winning team from each school was invited to come back to Eastleigh College on the Friday to compete in a cross-school final showdown!

Local MP Chris Huhne visited the pupils on the final day of the challenge to offer encouragement, and show his support for the project. He commented:

"So many kids do not see the relevance of subjects like maths until they have to measure a wall to fit both the skirting board and the electric socket. That is the great virtue of Aimhigher, which makes the connection between the practical and the dusty subjects in the classroom. By helping raise sights and ambitions, the programme is also helping us locally do things better than ever before. Britain can only compete on brains, as there are far too many other people out there in the world competing on brawn."

All of the pupils who took part showed genuine enthusiasm and put their best effort into the challenge. Nahmann Arif of Cantell School said:

"We've really enjoyed doing something different. We've learnt skills that we can use in real life and it's really built up our confidence."

The winners of the challenge were Adam Siron, Mia Chadwick, Rhys Thornton and Nahmann Arif from Cantell School who successfully completed the final challenge displaying admirable teamwork and problem solving skills.

Andy Clayton echoed the rest of his colleagues in the Building Services teaching team when he commented, "This week has been absolutely fabulous. We've all really enjoyed it and the students have been amazing."

By dispelling the myth that there is only one route to Higher Education, it is hoped that more young people will choose to aim higher and continue their education through vocational training.

Release date 16/06/2009