Steve and Antonia visited to explore the opportunities available to students through our partnership with Ford Philanthropy.

During their visit, Steve and Antonia toured our 3D-printing farm, our brand-new facility and met students who are using the technology to develop projects and enhance their technical skills.

Learn more about Print Farm

The facility also allows students across the UTC to use 3D printing for EPQs, external projects and competitions, including WorldSkills. One of our teachers is currently ranked second in the country in the WorldSkills UK Additive Manufacturing competition.

The print farm includes Bambu Lab X1C, P2S and H2 series printers, funded through the Ford Fund. We have also received additional printers from industry partners, including Bulgin.

The facility is used by students across different year groups, including our Sixth Form, GCSE and Year 11 students, providing opportunities to develop practical skills at every stage of their education.

Previously, our classes could have as many as six students sharing a printer. The new facility made possible through our Ford partnership, allows for a much more effective classroom ratio, with approximately two students per printer, enabling students to spend more time designing, testing and refining their work. 

“The recent visit was a valuable opportunity to engage with its students and observe their academic and technical development. The enthusiasm, intellectual curiosity and ambition demonstrated by the students were particularly noteworthy.

The facility was designed, planned and installed by the students, thereby illustrating the practical outcomes made possible through the Ford Philanthropy partnership between the Halewood Transmission Plant and the schools."

- Steve Buck, Plant Manager, Ford Halewood

One example of the work being developed through the print farm is our Y13 student, Jacob's EPQ project, where he has 3D printed an outer shell for his own RC (remote control) car, which will incorporate a fan and a specially designed floor section intended to create a Venturi effect.

As part of his EPQ, Jacob is investigating the differences in aerodynamic downforce generated through traditional features such as front and rear wings, compared with fan-assisted downforce inspired by the McMurtry Spéirling.

"Discussions with Year 12 students also offered insight into their respective fields of study and the coursework, assignments and models currently under development. The visit underscored the value of sustained collaboration between educational institutions and industry in facilitating applied learning, strengthening technical understanding and supporting the development of future innovators.”

- Steve Buck, Plant Manager, Ford Halewood