Churston school designers are top class

Torbay school pupils mixed fun with hi-tech in a special link-up and competition with a pioneering local company.

And it was students from Churston Ferrers Grammar School who proved to be top of the class.

Hymid, a technical injection moulding specialist firm based in Torquay, took part in the MAKE UK’s National Manufacturing Day last year where manufacturers across the length and breadth of the country opened their doors to their local communities to showcase their technology, manufacturing prowess and specialist staff.

Hymid hosted 60 GCSE students and teachers from four local secondary schools in the Bay, St Cuthbert Mayne, Churston Ferrers Grammar and Torquay Boys' and Girls' grammar schools.

VIP guests included Torbay MP Kevin Foster, civic mayor Marc Spacagna, local councillor Mandy Darling, her assistant Lily and Mandy’s ‘seeing eye’ dog Pepsi and Make UK's Jim Davison,(Regional Director (South West).

During the event, students were tasked with designing a trophy. The winning team, aptly named “The Better Combat Wombats” from Churston Ferrers, crafted an imaginative design featuring a wombat donning a military-style helmet. This initial sketch enabled Hymid’s design team to take the trophy design forward into production.

As students travelled around the production facility in teams of five, they were awarded points for interest and engagement; undertaking measurement and pricing exercises.They were also challenged to design a trophy using our 3D printing capability.The event marked a milestone forTeam Hymid – the company welcomed the largest number of visitors it has ever hosted in a single day.

A spokesman said: "The students embarked on an educational journey, exploring the inner workings of a manufacturing business. They not only learned about the intricacies of plastics manufacturing but also engaged in friendly competitions and activities, sparking their creativity, teamwork skills and critical thinking."

Tom McMurtire, from Hymid, added: ""Hymid has firm routes here in Torbay and wants to stay here. To do that we need a workforce that is local, highly skilled, engaged and want to be here. So opening the doors to local school children and people has been excellent."