Global trip for school pupils

The team are hoping they can pull off a win in Abu Dhabi.

The whizz-kids from Woodfarm High School are taking the opportunity to compete in the Jaguar Land Rover 4x4 challenge for the fourth year in a row.

The six-strong team which has enjoyed continuing sponsorship from the Glasgow-and-Edinburgh-based recruitment company, Brightwork, is one of only four teams from the UK to get through to the world stage of the competition.

The challenge consists of the team designing and constructing a remote control 4-wheel drive car to set specifications, and negotiating a test track specially designed by Land Rover’s experts to emulate real driving conditions.

In addition to the test track, the team – consisting of Danial, Rory, Suzanne, Rowan, Jake and Lewis - had to give a presentation and then submit their vehicle to an engineering and pit lane inspection.

In December the team will compete in the global stage against teams from 16 other countries in the world – including Australia, the current world champions – at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.

Dr Simon Hadfield, principal teacher of science at Woodfarm High School said: “The students are hugely excited to have the chance to compete on the world stage, and to be going all the way out to the United Arab Emirates.

“This year, we managed to incorporate 3D printing the prototype, laser cutting, CNC routing, and vacuum forming; so every part of the challenge teaches in-depth engineering and design skills.”

“The whole team are absolutely delighted that their hard work and efforts have paid off, and are now looking forward to the next step in the competition.”

Shan Saba, Director at Brightwork said: “The team is going from strength to strength in this competition, and we’re incredibly proud of its achievements.

“The JLR 4x4 Schools’ Challenge is one of the most demanding available, and Woodfarm has done brilliantly.”

The Doc’5 team, as they are known, have racked up a number of school firsts, including the Best Engineering Award, and the use of an environmentally friendly search engine for the project.