Sixty Year 9 students from  All Saints Academy Plymouth (ASAP) recently participated in an exciting STEM event sponsored by the Smallpeice Trust and the RAF Charitable Trust, where they gained invaluable skills, showcased their creativity, and earned the prestigious Bronze CREST Award. 

The hands-on event, designed to inspire the next generation of engineers and innovators, saw students dive into real-world challenges.  They used their knowledge of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to design prototypes, solve complex problems, and present their work in teams.  Throughout the day, they worked with industry-led materials, gaining a deep understanding of what it takes to be a successful engineer in today’s world.  The students not only learned about the technical side of engineering, but also about the creativity and team collaboration that drives the industry. 

The event culminated in the students earning their Bronze CREST Awards, a nationally recognised certification.  These awards are known to significantly improve academic outcomes for students, with research showing that those who complete a CREST Silver Award or higher tend to perform better academically and are more likely to pursue STEM subjects at a higher level.  The skills developed during the event – such as research, problem-solving, and communication – will also help these students in their future studies and careers. 

Students commented the following about the session: 

• “It was great to see what we learned was used in the project. We added to our design after we saw the other teams' prototypes to make ours better. We got 3rd place!”  

• “Our first prototype was pretty bad, but after Fred gave us some hints, we did the second and third ones better. It was one of the best prototypes and many of the other teams plagiarised our designs in their final designs. We won 2nd place!”  

This event, which cost the school nothing thanks to the funding from the Smallpeice Trust and RAF Charitable Trust, was a huge success, and the school plans to continue partnering with these organisations to provide similar opportunities in the future. This year, All Saints Academy Plymouth has even managed to extend the programme, offering the same award to an additional 120 Year 8 students. 

All Saints Academy Plymouth, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, is committed to providing students with the best opportunities for personal and academic growth.  By offering industry-led programs and encouraging creativity in the classroom, the school strives to nurture the engineers, scientists, and innovators of tomorrow. 

The Smallpeice Trust is an educational charity that inspires young people to pursue careers in science and engineering through events and workshops.  The RAF Charitable Trust promotes the Royal Air Force and inspires young people to fulfil their potential in air, space and technology.  

Scott Simpson-Horne, Headteacher at All Saints Academy Plymouth said: 

“We are incredibly proud of our students for embracing this challenge and excelling in every aspect of the event.  From the moment they entered the hall, they were exposed to a wealth of industry knowledge and encouraged to think outside the box.  Watching our students succeed and grow in confidence was truly rewarding, and we’re excited to see how this experience will inspire their future academic journeys in STEM.” 

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said: 

“We are thrilled to see the success of our students in this transformative STEM event.  The Bronze CREST Award is not just a certificate, but a recognition of their dedication, creativity, and teamwork.  These experiences lay the groundwork for their future academic and career journeys, helping them build the essential skills that will guide them in the world of STEM.  At the Ted Wragg Trust, we’re committed to providing these opportunities, and we look forward to seeing more students excel in similar initiatives.”