Robotics in the press

Clipping of a newspaper article from the Times & Citizen (Bedford) from Thursday 18 July 2024

Robotics comes to schools in Bedford

By Helen Hutchinson Contributor

Students from Bedford Academy and Bedford School are benefiting from a partnership between The Harpur Trust and The Worshipful Company of Founders to enhance their engineering and coding skills through robotics. Bedford Academy has set up a new robotics club for Years 7 and 8, and Bedford School has been able to expand its existing club. The partnership between The Worshipful Company of Founders, Dodimead Bursary fund and the Harpur Trust charity, is providing robotic kits to shared between Bedford School and Bedford Academy. The Worshipful Company of Founders is one of the ancient livery companies, which aims to create greater opportunities for the youth in engineering, together with The Harpur Trust, which has long been involved in the movement.

Head of Education Partnerships at The Harpur Trust, Caroline Downing, said: "We are excited to contribute to the outcomes of the Education Service area through this partnership. We work in partnership with local schools to enhance their learning outcomes for pupils across the borough. We find many pupils interested in the robotics club could be a possibility to expand into further schools."

Chair of the Education Committee at the Worshipful Company of Founders, David Kennedy, said: "Robotics has inspired students across the academic spectrum to develop their confidence and skills, and go on to study STEM subjects, and to consider via apprenticeships, to kick start their careers in the high-tech electronics industry. "I am delighted to see the robotics take off in schools in Bedford. I recently visited Bedford Academy's robotics club and I was enthused to see it in action. The young people's enthusiasm was evident and it was great to see them overcoming challenges in building the technology. "We will be working closely with The Harpur Trust to see if robotics clubs can be developed at other local schools across the borough." This month the clubs from the two schools will meet and students will compete their robots against each other.

Chitra Shahani, Lead Teacher for Computer Science and IT at Bedford Academy, said: "Building on the success of our current robotics club, we are planning to enter our school to national competitions next year. This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to showcase their talents on a larger stage. "I am also planning to involve Year 9 in our robotics club as they will then be able to act as role models for the younger students. This is an excellent opportunity for the students to develop their confidence as leaders and as team members. "Students enjoy the interaction between science subjects because the engage more deeply with STEM (Science, Technology, Arts, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects. "The pupils learn so many important skills in robotics such as problem solving, creativity, leadership, critical thinking and teamwork. "I am genuinely excited about the future for robotics club and the potential it holds for our students. I would like to thank the Harpur Trust and the Worshipful Company of Founders for bringing robotics to Bedford Academy and the support we've received from The Trust in running this program a success."

Head of Prep Computing at Bedford School, Kashta Dale, said: "The club is a real hit with students. There is a huge amount of excitement about the possibilities for the use of technology and the prospect of future skills in engineering and coding, as well as teamwork and social skills."

Find out about how Bedford School is helping young people to thrive and how you could involved at www.bedfordgiving.org.uk