An Oxfordshire company has donated two laser cutters to The Cherwell School’s Design and Technology Department

Lucy Electric, the Thame-based power distribution solutions manufacturer, provided the school with the pieces of equipment worth £5,000 each.

The donation is part of the company’s long-term commitment to support the development of the next generation of engineers and technicians in Oxfordshire.

Claire Starkey, development manager at The Cherwell School, said: “All 800 students take DT in Years 7 to 9 and we currently have 85 on the GCSE course and 60 studying at A-Level.

“We are a split site school, so can now have one machine on each site, giving every student access to laser cutting.

"The machinery uses software and processes that prepare students for university or work by using the same technologies they would find in industry."

The Cherwell School has celebrated its 60th anniversary and one of the most successful moments in its history was in 1980 when its engineering team won the prestigious ‘BP Build a Car’ competition. 

Chris Price, headteacher at The Cherwell School said: “We want our students to have every opportunity to use industry-standard technology and a range of materials to develop the skills needed for university courses and the workplace.

"Amongst the archives back in 1980 was a letter from Lucy Group recognising our achievement and showing their support."

Lucy Electric is part of Jericho's headquartered Lucy Group, which runs the annual Oxfordshire High Sheriff Young Engineer Awards.

John Griffiths, CEO at Lucy Electric, said: “We want young people to discover their inner engineer and to pursue STEM subjects in further education.

"The next generation of scientists, engineers, technicians and apprentices will be instrumental in finding solutions to some of the world’s biggest challenges”.