Bridges project takes Ron Dearing students to degree level

Students at our education partnered school have learned about the complex engineering involved in bridge structures.

The students from Ron Dearing University Technical College (UTC) have been developing their engineering skills and knowledge under the direction of Spencer Group.

The project also involved the 24 students from Year 12 (aged 16 and 17) attending four sessions hosted at the University of Hull, to develop their theoretical studies using the university’s specialist equipment.

The multi-faceted project which we led involved the students learning about Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and operational control systems from the company’s in-house experts.

The project culminated in visits to the engineering labs at the University of Hull, which is also a Ron Dearing UTC Founding Partner.

At the university the UTC students worked with PhD students to test their theoretical calculations, by conducting a series of experiments to test loading conditions and material strengths, including use of tensile testing equipment that tests metals to industrial standards.

Students involved in the project are studying maths, physics and engineering and are likely to progress to university after leaving school next year.Dan Howard, Assistant Principal, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) at Ron Dearing UTC, said:

“The bridges project led by Spencer Group has been an invaluable experience for the students involved. It’s been fantastic for them to be able to learn about the engineering challenges involved in bridge projects from a company that has designed, built or maintained many iconic structures.

“The sessions at the university exposed the students to the first-class facilities at the university and the experience of learning at degree level.

“The whole project has taken their studies beyond what we can offer in school and has really stretched the students.”

Spencer Group has designed and built a number of landmark bridges across the UK, including the York Millennium Footbridge and the Scottish Bridge of Invention, Britain’s first retracting footbridge.

We're also a world leader in high-level bridge works, having developed a trademarked gantry system to enable vital dehumidification work to prevent corrosion of cables on suspension bridges in the UK and abroad, including the Humber Bridge and the East Bridge in Denmark, the third largest suspension bridge in the world and part of the vast Great Belt crossing.

Our Human Resources Director Yvonne Moir, who is also a Ron Dearing UTC Governor, said:

“We’ve been delighted to lead this project and give the students the benefit of the very significant experience and expertise within the business in bridge design, construction and maintenance.“Working with the University of Hull enabled the project to incorporate degree-level learning and give students intending to go down the higher education route a valuable preview of working within a university environment.”

Ron Dearing UTC’s employer-driven education model and curriculum combines academic excellence in the core subjects of English, maths and sciences with the opportunity to specialise in digital technology and/or mechatronics – a combination of computing and engineering.