Dotty impressed ex-McLaren and Williams Engineer, James Robinson, with her huge commitment to the school’s Greenpower race team leading to him recommending the young driver to the talent acquisition team at Williams F1.
James works closely with the school’s Greenpower Race team offering expert advice and support to its young engineers as they design, build and race their very own electric automobiles. Last season even saw him rolling up his sleeves and aiding with emergency repairs in the pits as the team’s newest car, the 11th Hour, broke into the championship’s top 100 places. The latest addition to the team’s five-strong fleet – that’s the largest school team in the country – now ranks at number 92 in the UK.
Dotty will now be heading to the Williams headquarters in Oxfordshire where she will get a fascinating insight into the diverse range of skills and occupations required by the company to produce a Formula One racing car.
Dotty said: “I am really excited about this opportunity I have been offered and I am certain it will help me on my path to becoming an engineer.”
Apprenticeships, work experience and student placements at Williams F1 aim to bring engineering and work related subjects to life, enthusing students with an interest in STEM, and helping to equip them for their future careers, particularly in the precision engineering environment.
It’s going to be a busy summer for the young engineer who is also working alongside the founder and owner of Rally Prep, Neil Yates, on a hands-on work experience placement in June. Rally Prep are one of the UK’s leading motorsport preparation companies and work with world-renowned car manufacturers including BMW and the Toyota Rally team.
Head of STEM, Mr Jon Dean said: “Dotty has been an outstanding member of our Greenpower team both as an engineer and a driver and this is a really exciting opportunity for her to take the first steps towards making her goal of becoming a professional engineer a reality. We couldn’t be more proud!”
Currently only 7% of the engineering workforce in the UK is female. With the aim of redressing this imbalance, the school is a firm believer in educating girls about the many STEM careers available regularly hosting special workshops and Greenpower race car events throughout the year. All pupils at the school study GCSEs in all three sciences.
