Christopher races to success in top awards

trainee engineers to develop Green Power electric race cars in school. In less than six months, the youngsters built a racing car from scratch, tested it and raced it against other schools in the North.

He has organised “The Cummins Cup” – a race between a car built by his pupils and one being built by pupils at neighbouring primary schools – and is also supporting pupils in Year 7 with The Bloodhound challenge to design and build rocket cars to compete in a race-forthe-line competition. He guided two teams of Year 9 students competing in a Land Rover 4x4 challenge. One of the teams won the Future Stars Award despite only having three weeks to prepare for the event.

Mr Haywood has organised trips to engineering firms and competitions all over the country. Two years ago, one of the school’s Year 11 girls became the first female apprentice at one local engineering company. Mr Haywood supported her through the application process and coached her for the interview.

Mr Bowen said Mr Haywood showed commitment to all his pupils, adding: “In supporting technology lessons, Chris knows their achievements well and plans his support accordingly. Pupils are engaged in learning as soon as they National Teaching Assistant of the Year, Christopher Haywood, with his award and members of the Year Six racing team. Inset: Mr Haywood reflects on the success enter his room. The confidence generated by Chris’ excellent subject knowledge pervades the classroom.

“Pupils are motivated and empowered to work independently; they show excellent attitudes to learning and clearly enjoy what they do.

“Chris is skilled in convincing each pupil that they have a valuable contribution to make, and that they are able to succeed.”