Last week the Henry Boot Construction team assisted with the TEKK Challenge at Highgate Primary Academy.

The challenge, which is being run in schools across South Yorkshire, involved students from Year 5 to Year 8 forming a company and constructing a bridge, with the aim of developing students’ enterprise and skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

To support the challenge, Adeana Raper, Employment and Skills Manager, visited Highgate Primary Academy, where she helped teams create a company with team name, logo and uniform, and design and create a bridge. The students could only use limited materials including matchsticks, lollypop sticks, sellotape and glue. The teams then presented their company and bridge to a panel of judges.

On the final day, Communications Officer Catherine Spooner helped judge the Highgate Primary Academy teams, scoring on criteria such as presentation skills, branding and design of the bridge. Struct-sure and Lego Lovers were the two teams that progressed to the final.

The South Yorkshire final will be held at Dearne Valley College, on Wednesday 27 June where the overall winners will be decided.

The TEKK Challenge is run by the BE Together Foundation, who work with disadvantaged children across the South Yorkshire region to develop their skills, capacities and capabilities.

We have enjoyed delivering the TEKK Challenge to our Year 6 pupils at Highgate Primary Academy. The skills they have learnt have helped children work together and discuss and solve problems at a high level. I would highly recommend the TEKK Challenge to all pupils, helping to encourage new opportunities and broaden their knowledge of the working world.

Natalie Woodward, Teacher, Highgate Primary Academy