Pupils Begin Remarkable Citroën Rebuild in DT
Car Club, which began at the start of this academic year, has quickly become an exciting addition to the Co-curricular life of the Design Technology Department. The Club’s project began in an unusual way when Mr Batchelder was told about a Citroën that had been sitting untouched in a garage for nearly three decades, complete with ivy growing through the bodywork. Recognising the potential of this rare opportunity, the DT team brought the car to School and the restoration challenge began.
Pupils from Years Eight to the Lower Sixth have since begun the meticulous process of bringing the vehicle back to life, aiming to restore it as closely as possible to its original condition before eventually returning it to the road. The car arrived in an extremely poor state, but this has only added to the sense of purpose and excitement surrounding the project. Pupils are taking on as much hands-on work as they are safely able to do and their enthusiasm has been evident from the outset.
The educational value of the restoration is considerable. Pupils are gaining practical experience in mechanics, electronics and general car maintenance, while also learning specialist skills such as welding and in time, reupholstering as they tackle the interior. The project complements many aspects of the DT curriculum and provides a meaningful link to engineering and the wider automotive industry. Mr Batchelder described the Club as one of the most rewarding Co-curricular projects he has overseen thus far.
There is hope that once the Citroën is fully restored, pupils may have the opportunity to present their work at automotive events, giving them a real sense of achievement and a platform to share the skills they have developed.
Car Club meets every Tuesday lunchtime in the DT Department. Pupils with a genuine long-term interest in engineering or Design Technology are welcome to speak to Mr Batchelder about joining this unique and ambitious project. There are a number of opportunities for parents to support this unique challenge as well, so please do speak to Mr Batchelder if you feel you might be able to help in any way.
