WBQ students help firms with energy efficiency research

25 Jul 2008



WBQ - Preseli 1
Ysgol y Preseli Welsh Baccalaureate students Tom Garnon, Luc Wise, Antony Cowburn and Rhys Newton with (from left) Chris Tansey of Manderwood Timber Engineering, Mike Edds of Firwood Homes and teacher Marie Williams.

Two groups of sixth form students from Ysgol y Preseli in Crymych, north Pembrokeshire, have been working with Neyland companies Firwood Homes and Manderwood Timber Engineering as part of their Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification.

The increasingly popular Welsh Baccalaureate formally recognises a number of activities and achievements, including work experience, personal and social education and voluntary work.

It also incorporates current approved qualifications like A levels, GCSEs and NVQs as ‘Options’ and adds breadth and balance through its core programme of activities, which includes enhanced work experience and Key Skills training.

From this September 12 schools, colleges and training providers across west Wales will deliver the qualification bringing the total number of young people in the region studying the Welsh Baccalaureate to around 3,500.

Ysgol y Preseli has more than 500 students taking the qualification at either Foundation, Intermediate or Advanced level and is involved in a range of projects to broaden their understanding of the world of work.

The energy projects with the local firms have been organised under The Engineering Education Scheme Wales (EESW), an initiative which enables young, talented people to experience the world of engineering and introduce businesses to a new generation of potential engineers and technicians.


Ysgol y Preseli students taking the advanced level Welsh Baccalaureate were matched to the Neyland companies to carry out a research project linked to the Stern Report on global warming and the challenge of making new homes zero carbon by 2016.

One group of students started the work two years ago, winning an award from EESW for best appreciation of environmental issues. A second group completed phase two of the project earlier this year.

Mike Edds, managing director of Firwood Homes, which manufactures and fixes timber frame panels for the building industry, said: "It’s very refreshing to talk to bright young people and get a different slant on what the company does.

"I think it’s good that the Welsh Baccalaureate takes students out of the school environment to give them an appreciation of engineering and technology. One of the suggestions they came up with was a pod housing system to house more people and better utilise space. It’s a very topical idea."

Chris Tansey, managing director of Manderwood Timber Engineering, which manufactures roof trusses and timber engineered floors, said: "Having been in this business a long time, it was nice to see the enthusiasm of these students in taking on a project that they knew nothing about and they had no fear.

"They came up with interesting, new ideas and a different point of view. If the project leads to just one of these students coming into our industry and becoming a force then it will have been well worthwhile."

Bob Elward, of EESW co-ordinator for west Wales, said students taking part in the six-month projects are given three-day placements with universities, where they have access to all the engineering and technical facilities. Projects culminate in an exhibition, assessment and awards at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport.

"The projects must be meaningful, challenging and mutually beneficial to the company and the students," said Mr Elward. "Companies get very positive results because they are working with bright students who use lateral thinking and come up with innovative solutions.

"The scheme is designed to help students make informed decisions about their future career or education. Some of the students go on to study engineering or technology."

Projects include Celtic Enterprises for years nine and 10 students organised by Careers Wales and volunteering work for years 10 and 11 students with the Pembrokeshire National Park. Even year nine students are introduced to enterprise through Journey to Work Days, when they visit local businesses.

Celtic Enterprises promotes entrepreneurship in schools through real business experience. With European funding support, an international partnership was established with South East Ireland and teams of five students in schools on both sides of the Irish Sea set up and ran businesses for five months, culminating in a competition.

Gwynfor Price, who co-ordinated Celtic Enterprises, said: "The Welsh Baccalaureate has a strong enterprise element, which was influenced at Ysgol y Preseli by Celtic Enterprises. The project introduced students to the problems and issues associated with running a company.

"There was also an international dimension because we arranged exchange visits for winning students, organised joint business related activities and regular video conferencing with students in Ireland. The students were also involved in a pilot partnership project with Poland and France.

"There was a definite change in the students’ attitude towards work and business and they grew in confidence throughout the project."

Michael Davies, deputy head teacher and Welsh Baccalaureate co-ordinator, said the school encouraged close business links and had an active industry panel that met regularly. An education and business evening organised by the school attracted representatives from around 80 businesses.

From September 2008, the Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced level Welsh Baccalaureate will be available from 106 centres across Wales and will be delivered to some 23,000 learners.

Welsh schools and colleges that have been delivering the qualification have said it has contributed to students becoming more effective learners, improved their academic performance and equipped them with life skills that are transferable to whatever situation they find themselves in, whether that is Higher education or employment.

Jane Hutt, Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills, welcomed the increasing employer support for the programme. She said: One of the key aims of the qualification is to help make the Welsh economy more competitive by enabling young people to become more confident and effective in the workplace. It’s very encouraging that employers recognise the value of this new approach to learning."

The Minister this week announced that the Welsh Baccalaureate will be rolled out at Foundation level in post 16 and foundation and intermediate levels in Key Stage 4 from September 2009.

The Minister also announced that the Principal Learning and Project Qualifications being developed for the 14-19 Diplomas in England will be available within the Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification framework from September 2009. Applications to participate in the delivery of this new provision will be invited from 14-19 Networks.