STEM SUSSEX

Max Clark - Year 11, William Parker Sports College in Hastings

Max is currently in Year 11 and goes to William Parker Sports College in Hastings, where he is studying for his GCSEs, but also spends two days a week at Hastings College, following a Routeways Tracker Engineering Course (Performing Engineering Operations Level 1). He started his course in September 2007. ‘Routeways was a good option for me. There are more choices open to you than in school.

I study two days a week on the Engineering course at the college and at William Parker am studying for GCSEs in English, Mathematics, Science, PE, Citizenship and IT. Last year in the Year 10 Routeways programme, I studied one term of Wheels in Motion, learning about servicing cars, and two terms of Construction Skills. I liked both courses and was nominated for awards in both subjects!

‘The Tracker Engineering course was my first choice. I spoke to other students who had done a term of Engineering as part of Routeways in Year 10 and they said it was great so I applied.

So far in the Engineering course I have make a centre punch and drill drift keys and a tote tray in the fabrication workshop. I have learned about the properties of metal and how to harden metal.  I am progressing fast and am really enjoying the course.

‘I love anything with an engine and fix my own pit bike Next year I want to go to Sussex Downs College to study motor vehicle. I enjoy working on cars and want to become a mechanic. The machine shops skills I am learning this year will be useful, as well as the panel works. I enjoy my days at the college and think that as well as learning new skills it has helped my prepare for college life.’

About Routeways

Routeways offers courses with a vocational flavour to run alongside GCSE options. They have been designed for school students in Years 10 and 11 who live in Hastings and Rother

The Routeways Explorer and Tracker courses all concentrate on learning practical skills, skills that will be useful in working life. These courses have been produced by the secondary schools, working with Hastings College, Plumpton College, Bexhill 6th Form College, Tressell Training, Skills2Build and Baldwin Training. The whole development has been supported by Hastings Careers Service. 

In Year 10 learners follow a programme of three vocational units through the year, including courses such as motor vehicle, engineering, farming, creative art & media, performing arts and childcare.

In Year 11 learners move on to Tracker courses, spending a year specialising in their favourite subjects, hopefully progressing to one of the colleges or on to an apprenticeship or employment.

Routeways fits in with the government’s decision to change the way young people get qualifications, by providing a much wider range of courses than just GCSEs and ‘A’ levels. These new courses will have equal value to the existing qualifications, but have been designed to appeal to a lot more young people. Both East Sussex and all of the UK need skilled people to keep us competitive in the world.

All the Routeways courses have nationally recognised qualifications that will be recognised by employers and further education.