A team from Cartmel School has emerged as champions of this year’s keenly fought BAE Systems’ Top of the Form final held at the Coronation Hall in Ulverston.
The annual competition pits eight schools from across South Cumbria and Furness against each other.
Twelve apprentices from BAE Systems led the project with a further fifteen helping write questions and manage the overall organisation of the event which tests students in science, technology engineering and maths in quick fire rounds.
The schools knockout competition is aimed at sparking an interest in BAE’S work in Barrow and the varied career opportunities that exist.
Project management higher apprentice Ross Brooks is among the organising group and says the event has proved to be a fun part of his first year at BAE Systems: “Overall, the evening went very well which was good considering the amount of effort the whole team put into organising it.”
He added: “There was a good turnout in the end and after hearing the feedback from people, it seemed like everyone genuinely enjoyed it. It was good to see a large number of BAE Systems’ staff also attend so they could see the benefits of organising Top of the Form.”
Schools taking part this year included Furness Academy, St Bernard’s School, Chetwynde School, Dowdales School, Walney School, Ulverston Victoria High School, Cartmel Priory and John Ruskin School.
The final was between Chetwynde School and winners Cartmel who received a Google Home Mini, £20 Amazon voucher and £400.
Neil Doherty, BAE’S corporate social responsibility lead, said. “The project has been running for 12 years now and I’d say this has been the best yet in terms of interest in the range of skills the various questions and challenges encourage participants to make use of.”
He added: “I certainly hope the events held over the past few months encourage pupils to consider STEM careers and consider a career with BAE Systems Submarines.”
For more information on apprenticeships at BAE Systems see https://www.baesystems.com/en/careers/careers-in-the-uk/apprenticeships
