AFTER returning home from the Tokyo Paralympics, swimmer Stephanie Millward visited students at Berkeley Green UTC to talk about her experience of competing at the very highest level.

Stephanie has won 10 medals - including two golds - across three games.

She told students about the hard work it took to get there, and the way technology supports Paralympians.

Her inspirational story gave students so much to talk about that she's promised to come back and tell them more.

Stephanie also talked about her visit to a Gloucestershire based company which developed technology to help support Team GB's Olympic squad.

Versarien, an advanced materials company, developed graphene technology which was incorporated into the development of the Olympic skeleton sled, which led to a series of Team GB medals in the sport, although the squad was unsuccessful this year.

Skeleton is a winter sport where the competitor rides head-first, lying face down, on a flat sled.

Versarien, which is one of the college's sponsors, challenged the students to incorporate graphene technology into items that could improve Paralympian performance.

Students designed a wide range of possible aids or items of clothing, from helmets for skiers to rowing simulators, and from graphene hockey sticks to limb adaptations.

Berkeley Green UTC is a specialist state school for students aged 14-19 which specialises in engineering and digital technologies including cyber studies.

Students at the UTC enjoy a curriculum that is based around future employability in the STEM sector.

During the academic year they take part in a number of employer projects, where an employer sets a STEM challenge for teams of students and then selects the winning designs.

The UTC is now recruiting students for entry in September 2022/23.

For more information, please visit https://academytrust.sgscol.ac.uk/sgs-berkeley-green-utc or email office@berkeleygreenutc.org.uk