OA-Havering students impress industry experts with “School of the Future” designs
Students at OA-Havering were praised for their creativity, professionalism and ambition after completing an exciting week-long engineering challenge inspired by the Lower Thames Crossing.
During the project, learners worked in teams to design and pitch their own “School of the Future.” Taking on professional roles, students developed detailed building designs, calculated costs and explored sustainable construction methods.
The challenge gave students valuable insight into the construction and engineering sector, helping them to build practical skills in problem-solving, teamwork and presentation. A strong emphasis was placed on sustainability, encouraging learners to consider environmental impact alongside innovation and functionality.
The week culminated in a series of final presentations, with some students presenting their proposals directly to representatives from Balfour Beatty at the Lower Thames Crossing site.
A representative from Balfour Beatty praised the students’ efforts, saying:
“Just wanted to say a big thank you for last week. I know it takes a lot of hard work to make a project like ours work. The presentation on Friday was amazing, they had some really well thought out ideas and produced some really good quality work. Your students were a delight to work with and I really hope we see some applications from them for our apprenticeships.”
Staff at OA-Havering were delighted with the positive feedback and the confidence students showed throughout the project. The experience both strengthened learners’ technical and employability skills and helped them to see the exciting career opportunities available within engineering and construction.
The project reflects OA-Havering’s ongoing commitment to providing meaningful, real-world learning experiences that inspire students and prepare them for future education, training and employment. We ensure students are supported to develop knowledge, skills and confidence, with opportunities to explore potential career pathways and take positive steps towards successful and fulfilling futures.
