Education

Breaking barriers in motorsport: Abi Penny’s mission to inspire the next generation

Published

1 year ago

May 18, 2025

Trailblazing lecturer calls for change in male-dominated industry

ABI PENNY, Senior Lecturer in Motorsport Engineering at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), is calling for greater support to encourage more women into motorsport careers. With nearly two decades of teaching and hands-on experience in the field, Abi is determined to inspire the next generation of female engineers and challenge outdated stereotypes.

“Motorsport has been my passion for as long as I can remember,” she said. “And I feel incredibly fortunate that it’s become my career.”

Abi has spent the past 18 years teaching Motorsport Engineering at UWTSD and says the industry has transformed during that time. From hybrid powertrains to advanced simulation and data modelling, engineering has become more diverse and dynamic than ever before. But one thing, she says, has remained stubbornly unchanged — the low number of women entering the profession.

“For years, I was the only woman in our motorsport department. Today, there are two of us, and nationally, women now make up around 10 per cent of the motorsport workforce — a small but significant step forward.”

According to Abi, breaking the stereotype of the “grease-covered mechanic” is key to making engineering more appealing and accessible to girls and young women.

“Engineering isn’t just about spanners and overalls,” she explains. “Modern motorsport includes roles in software, simulation, and data analysis. There’s space in this industry for people with a wide range of skills and personalities. You can still love fashion, wear heels, and have amazing nails if you want — and still be a great engineer.”

Abi credits her own success to the support of her rally-enthusiast father, a strong feminist mother, and inspiring maths teachers at Llangatwg Comprehensive and St John Baptist School. But she knows many young women don’t get that same encouragement early on.

“There’s been great progress in promoting STEM subjects, but we need to keep going. We need to show girls what’s possible — that engineering is an exciting, well-paid, and global career with strong maternity support and genuine camaraderie.”

She highlights initiatives such as F1 in Schools, Green Power, and Motorsport UK’s Girls on Track programme as examples of what’s working. At UWTSD, 10 per cent of current motorsport students are female — a milestone being celebrated with a series of events to foster a stronger community of women in the sector.

UWTSD’s BEng Motorsport Engineering programme, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, was the first of its kind in the world. Founded by former lecturer Roger Dowden, it has produced graduates who now work for leading names in the industry, including McLaren, Bentley, Ford, Toyota Gazoo Racing and Gordon Murray Automotive.

“Our course blends academic rigour with real-world experience,” Abi said. “We work closely with industry to ensure our graduates are job-ready and in high demand.”

Her message to the next generation is clear: “You don’t have to be a petrolhead to succeed. You just need curiosity, determination, and a belief in yourself. To any girl out there dreaming of motorsport — believe me when I say, you can do anything.”

Education

Pembrokeshire school wins national climate innovation award

Published

3 days ago

June 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi praised for pioneering ideas to protect rivers, wildlife and the environment

A PEMBROKESHIRE school has been recognised at a prestigious Wales-wide climate awards ceremony after pupils impressed judges with innovative ideas to tackle biodiversity loss and water pollution.

Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi was named the winner of the Protect and Restore Nature category in Keep Wales Tidy’s Climate Challenge Cymru competition, inspired by The Earthshot Prize.

The school earned the award for a series of creative environmental solutions, including proposals for solar-powered systems designed to help protect rivers and lakes while improving local biodiversity.

Pupils and staff travelled to Cardiff to receive the award during a special ceremony held on Wednesday (June 17), where they were presented with their trophy by ecologist and nature campaigner Joe Wilkins.

Climate Challenge Cymru invited primary and secondary schools from across Wales to submit short videos showcasing innovative ideas to tackle one of five major environmental challenges, known as the Earthshots. These included creating a waste-free world, improving air quality, tackling climate change, protecting nature and restoring the world’s oceans.

The Pembrokeshire school’s winning entry stood out for its imaginative approach to protecting natural habitats and improving water quality through sustainable technology.

Lucy Vaughan, Geography Teacher and Leader of Pupil Voice at Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi, said: “I have been so impressed with all of the amazing entries that have been shared at this prestigious event and am immensely proud of our pupils for winning this challenge.

“The creativity, passion, teamwork and commitment they have shown have been truly inspiring. Their innovative ideas and determination to make a positive difference for the environment give me real hope for the future.”

Keep Wales Tidy Chief Executive Owen Derbyshire praised the standard of entries from schools across Wales.

He said: “It has been a privilege to spend the day at Climate Challenge Cymru, surrounded by the ideas and ambition of young people from right across Wales.

“The projects on display are a testament not only to their creativity but to their resolve to make a real difference in Wales and beyond. Seeing the next generation lead with such confidence gives me every reason to be optimistic about what lies ahead.”

The competition is organised by Keep Wales Tidy’s Eco-Schools team in partnership with the Welsh Government and is inspired by The Earthshot Prize, the international environmental initiative launched by Prince William to encourage practical solutions to the world’s biggest environmental challenges.

The success of Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi highlights the growing role Pembrokeshire’s young people are playing in developing innovative ideas to tackle environmental issues, particularly those affecting the county’s rivers, coastline and wildlife.

Photo caption: Award winners: Pupils from Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi celebrate after winning the Protect and Restore Nature category at the Climate Challenge Cymru awards in Cardiff, alongside Keep Wales Tidy Chief Executive Owen Derbyshire (left) and ecologist Joe Wilkins (right).

Education

Welsh-medium provision to be expanded in some urban areas of Carmarthenshire

Published

4 days ago

June 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CYMDEITHAS YR LAITH has welcomed Carmarthenshire County Council’s decision to expand Welsh-medium education provision in some of the county’s urban areas.

The Council’s Education, Young People and Welsh Language Scrutiny Committee approved a recommendation to consult on making a regulated change to Welsh-language provision in the following primary schools: Ysgol Bro Banw, Ysgol Griffith Jones, Ysgol Llangynnwr, and Ysgol Llandybie. The decision will go before the Cabinet on Monday (29/06/2026) for final approval.

A spokesperson for Cymdeithas yr Iaith’s Carmarthenshire Region said: “We are very pleased that the Council intends to expand Welsh-medium education provision in these schools, moving closer to the goal of ensuring that no pupil is deprived of the ability to work and communicate confidently in both languages.

“We particularly welcome the changes at the large urban school, Ysgol Bro Banw. However, we seek clarification regarding the decision to introduce bilingual provision at the school, rather than converting it into a fully Welsh-medium school. Research shows that Welsh-medium education is the only way to ensure bilingualism among young people.

“It is worth noting that there are seven bilingual primary schools in the county, in addition to those mentioned in the report, and several of these provide only Welsh-medium education during the Foundation Phase. We therefore encourage the Council to continue the work of converting all these bilingual schools into Welsh-medium schools and to address gaps in Welsh-medium education provision in areas such as the south-west of the county and the town of Carmarthen as well.

“At the same time, we are disappointed that the Council is removing Welsh-medium education from our rural communities. Although they are increasing capacity in St Clears, they are simultaneously losing Welsh-medium capacity in the area through their plans to close Ysgol Meidrim. We therefore call for a new and sustainable strategy for rural education.”

The spokesperson added: “We look forward to the Council’s next announcement, when the names of four additional schools will be revealed. Nevertheless, it is disappointing that we have to wait until the autumn for that announcement. We respectfully ask the Council to accelerate the process in order to prevent the ongoing injustice whereby pupils are being deprived of the ability to communicate and work in Welsh as well as English.”

Education

Milford Haven School issues heatwave update as temperatures soar

Published

4 days ago

June 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN SCHOOL has thanked pupils and staff for the way they have supported one another during the current heatwave.

The school said cooperation and care across the school community had been greatly appreciated.

With tomorrow (Jun 25) forecast to be the hottest day of the current spell, pupils are being asked to come prepared by bringing plenty of water, wearing sunscreen, and staying as protected from the sun as possible.

Pupils will also be permitted to wear their PE kit to help keep cool.

The school said it will continue to monitor the situation closely and take all necessary steps to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff.