Rolls-Royce supports U.K. school children

Rolls-Royce has continued its longstanding partnership with the March CE Primary School in the U.K to prepare its students for this year’s Greenpower 'Gathering of Goblins', the U.K.'s premier event for electric-powered racing cars designed, built, and driven by schoolchildren.

The competition is run by Greenpower Education Trust, a U.K.-based charity whose mission is to enthuse young people about science and engineering by challenging them to design, build and race an electric car. The charity supplies age-appropriate kit cars that can be built in schools, colleges, or group settings, and then raced in one of three categories at Greenpower events, culminating in an international final. The competition is said to attract over 10,000 students from more than 700 teams in the U.K.

Rolls-Royce has assisted students at the March CE Primary School, which neighbours the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, to bring their electric car designs to life

For several years, pupils from Years five and six at the March CE Primary School, which neighbours the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, have taken part in the 'Formula Goblin' category for children aged nine to 11. The marque originally funded one kit car for the after-school STEM Club, but this proved so overwhelmingly popular that it now supports a fleet of four.

The chassis and powertrain are supplied by Greenpower and are standardised to ensure a level playing field. However, teams have complete freedom to determine the form and finish of the bodywork that sits on top. Rolls-Royce in turn, supports teams from the March CE Primary School with specialists to help them develop their designs and bring them to life.

Apprentices and interns from the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood attended the STEM Club to help the children build their cars, incorporating some of the actual materials used in Rolls-Royce motor cars. The Apprentices also assisted with driver training, test-driving and pit-stop practice in preparation for race day.

The teams will be among those lining up for the race on 30 June, which takes place at the Goodwood Motor Circuit, less than a mile from the school and the Home of Rolls-Royce.