A new education partnership at Northamptonshire’s Rockingham Motor Speedway aims to provide hands-on projects and learning experiences for young people aged 11-25.
The circuit is working with the not-for-profit Enterprise Education Foundation which will now be responsible for managing and delivering all its educational services.
It says it will offer groups and individuals flexible opportunities to participate in activities outside a traditional classroom environment that develop personal and business skills and which are transferable to all aspects of life.
The partnership will aim to build on educational events held at Rockingham over the past decade including the Shell-Eco Marathon, Rockingham Festival, inclusion days for young people with learning difficulties and severe disabilities, and other school activities.
The projects on offer will include:
- Targeted education – developoing specific skills in areas including employability; enterprise and young business; environment and green energy; and co-ordination and partnership.
- Community engagement – developing ways for Rockingham to be used by the wider community that are not necessarily academic-led.
- Engineering – focusing on motor vehicle education and training.
Charlotte Orton, the circuit’s chief executive, said of the scheme: “We have always recognised the key role industries such as motorsport can play in helping to inspire young people to pursue the right choices.
“The EEF has a wealth of experience working within education and with young people, and therefore we are delighted to have them on board to manage and deliver this area of the Rockingham business.
“The Rockingham Education Partnership will allow us to strengthen our relationship with educational organisations and ensure we add value to the participants own work through the hands-on learning experience we offer.”
Graham Lloyd, EEF director, said: “We are very excited about the education we can provide using the unique backdrop of Rockingham. We know already that young people are instantly inspired just by being at the circuit.
“We know some of the most engaging education is delivered through partnerships and this is what we will be developing with Rockingham over the next few years.”
Anyone who would like more information about the partnership or is interested in holding an educational project at Rockingham can contact the EEF on 01536 2700030 or email Graham Lloyd.
• Rockingham has also just welcomed five kart racers who were given the opportunity to swap their karts for real cars in a driving day that formed part of the Formula Kart Stars (FKS) Junior Max Championship.
The event was arranged by Junior Max Class sponsor Bradley Ellis, as part of his Hard Charger Awards, which reward the karter who picks up the most places from their grid position during each of the 12-round series.
As part of their prize the youngsters were invited to the circuit to learn more about car control and handling on Rockingham’s wet grip facility in preparation for their step-up from karting to motor racing.