SATRO Finalists

A group of determined KS4 students rose to the challenge this week as they represented our school at the prestigious SATRO finals, held at the headquarters of Air Products UK in Chertsey.

Despite being two team members short due to work experience placements, Noah (Year 10), alongside Emma, Jack and Gabriel (Year 11) showed remarkable resilience and teamwork throughout the competition. Competing under pressure, they embraced the challenge with enthusiasm and determination, as the only comprehensive school students in the KS4 Final which was largely made up of grammar schools.

The competition, organised by SATRO, tasked teams with designing and building a functional model crane capable of lifting and dropping cargo using a magnetic system. While the team did not place in the top three, their successful completion of the task was a significant achievement and a testament to their ingenuity and perseverance.

Beyond the competition itself, the experience offered invaluable real-world insight into science and engineering careers. Miss Janse van Rensburg highlighted the broader impact of the day: “What I found most valuable about the experience is that our team got to work closely with the Air Products engineering team. They were shown various materials, taught about how our air is harvested, separated and sold, and got to see possible career opportunities for the future.”

Students were also treated to a series of engaging demonstrations and learning opportunities, including an eye-catching liquid nitrogen experiment led by one of the company’s scientists. In addition, they were introduced to Project NEOM, an ambitious large-scale green energy initiative being developed by Air Products UK. The project aims to harness hydrogen and renewable energy in a pioneering way, offering students a glimpse into the future of sustainable energy.

Miss Janse van Rensburg also noted the professional development benefits of the visit, having gained valuable insights into careers in science and engineering - knowledge she will bring back to inspire future students.

Although the competition medals eluded them, the KS4 team returned with something far more valuable: hands-on experience, inspiration for future careers, and the confidence that they can compete at the very highest level.