Gosport school gets funding boost for project to build powerboat

Pupils at Brune Park School are set to see science and engineering come to life with an innovative project looking at the use of glass in society today.
THANK YOU Year 8 student Paris-Jade Freeman receives the cheque from Andy Brockett, with students (from left) Katie Grimes, Callum Sturman and Ethan Hill. Far left is Richard Kelly, headteacher, with Stephen Shaw at the backTHANK YOU Year 8 student Paris-Jade Freeman receives the cheque from Andy Brockett, with students (from left) Katie Grimes, Callum Sturman and Ethan Hill. Far left is Richard Kelly, headteacher, with Stephen Shaw at the back
THANK YOU Year 8 student Paris-Jade Freeman receives the cheque from Andy Brockett, with students (from left) Katie Grimes, Callum Sturman and Ethan Hill. Far left is Richard Kelly, headteacher, with Stephen Shaw at the back

The Gosport school successfully applied for funding from The Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers of London to run a project to design and build a powerboat from Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP).

The charity has given the school £1,080 to fund the project.

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It will use the same techniques as building an actual powerboat, giving students a real insight into the industry.

The project is aimed at Year 9 students who show an interest in science and engineering.

They will go through a series of workshops to learn what is involved, design the model powerboat and visit a large leisure craft manufacturer to explore the use of GRP in industry.

Once designed and built the powerboat will race against other similar craft in an inter-schools competition hosted by QinetiQ on June 17.

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Stephen Shaw, Brune Park’s innovation and development manager, said: ‘This project fits in with our Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths focus.

Students will learn problem-solving, design ideas, choice of materials, all 
based on the exact principles in the industry.’

Headteacher Richard Kelly said: ‘We are delighted to be working with The Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers of London on this project which fits with our constant drive to contextualise our learning to raise awareness of real-life applications and at the same time challenge the aspirations of our students.’

Andy Brockett, Liveryman and Trustee of The Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers of London, added: ‘I was delighted to hand over the cheque for £1,080 to the students of Brune Park School in Gosport on behalf of The Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers Charity Fund.   

‘It was fascinating to see how the school’s STEM groups come up with such interesting ideas and the enthusiasm demonstrated by the students and staff.’

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