Radclyffe School partners with Chadderton engineering firm Diodes for STEM project
Date published: 01 October 2025
Some of the team with Mr Brown, Katie Wainwright, HR Business Partner at Diodes and Katie Greenwood, Learning and Development Manager at Diodes
The Radclyffe School has announced its partnership with local firm Diodes Inc. for this year’s STEM On Track project.
Diodes delivers analog and discrete power solutions through its high-quality semiconductor products to the world’s leading companies.
The partnership specifically involves Diodes’ Chadderton fabrication site, located just minutes from the school, strengthening local links between industry and education.
Katie Wainwright, HR Business Partner at Diodes, said: “At Diodes Engineering, one of our priorities is to encourage younger students to develop an interest in STEM.
"When we heard about this opportunity, we felt it aligned with our goals as a business and in the local community.”
“We can’t wait to see how this project progresses and how the students grow their STEM skills along the way.”
STEM On Track is a national challenge for KS3 and KS4 students, giving young people the opportunity to build their own racing karts, explore the STEM theory behind them, and compete against schools across the UK.
Backed by BWT Alpine Formula One Team, the programme combines practical experience with curriculum-linked modules on the digital Race Academy platform.
It is designed to connect classroom learning with real-world engineering, while building teamwork, confidence and pathways into future STEM careers.
In 2024, 14 members of the club raced at Whilton Mill against schools nationwide, proudly finishing seventh out of 17 schools in their race and 15th out of 43 in the overall rankings.
The club are now eager to build on that success.
Thanks to the generous sponsorship by Diodes, the Radclyffe School STEM On Track club is now constructing two racing karts, split into two teams: The Apex Radclyffe Racers and The Thundervolts.
Every student is actively involved in the project, from assembling the chassis and adding components to visual designs and ensuring scrutineering standards are met.
Students meet every Tuesday and Thursday lunchtime, and their enthusiasm and creativity have been exceptional.
“It’s amazing to see the karts start to take shape each week,” said one student.
“We all get a chance to be hands-on and contribute, and it feels like we’re really building something
together.”
As part of the partnership, engineering apprentices and staff from Diodes will go into school weekly to mentor students, share their industry experience, and provide practical guidance on the build.
This direct interaction will give students a unique insight into real-world STEM applications and career pathways, making the project both inspiring and tangible.
Matt Brown, Head of Design Technology at The Radclyffe School, said: “We approached Diodes to explore ways to inspire our students in STEM, and they were excited to support our club, especially given their local presence and their history of supporting Radclyffe School alumni.”
“Their engineers and staff will make a huge impact, and help our students see the practical side of science and engineering while boosting their confidence and teamwork skills.
"We are extremely grateful to Diodes for their support in making this possible."
The students’ next step is to finalise the livery and graphics for their karts, with special credit to Sama, who designed the striking logo for The Apex Radclyffe Racers.
Once completed, the teams will take their karts to Test Days and the National Finals, racing head-to-head with over 100 school teams from across the UK.
With Diodes’ support, and the expertise of the Chadderton site team, the Radclyffe STEM On Track club is not just building karts, they are building confidence, teamwork, and a passion for STEM that will last far beyond the classroom.
Diodes have also recently awarded scholarships to three former Radclyffe students, providing funding and work placements during their university studies, helping to strengthen local STEM pathways and support the next generation of engineers.
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