Does a Science or Maths teacher have to lead the project?
No. STEM On Track is genuinely cross-curricular, and while many Team Principals come from a Science, Design & Technology, or Maths background, there's no requirement to be a specialist in any of these. The Race Academy modules are written to guide non-specialists through the build step by step, so enthusiasm and consistency matter more than subject background.
In fact, many schools will even have their non-teaching staff supporting, or even have 6th Formers leading the project for the younger students. This structure of utilising older students really does present a win-win situation: they find it offers and opportunity to be part of something truly impactful to put onto their CVs and UCAS forms, plus takes removes the any burden of organisation and orchestration off teaching staff.
How do we choose which students take part?
There's no fixed number, and no single "right" student profile. Most teams have a core group leading the physical build, alongside students taking on other roles across the year, including marketing, sponsorship, and event-day support. So it's worth thinking beyond just who's mechanically minded.
Many schools use the programme specifically to engage students who don't always get the chance to shine in a traditional classroom setting. But equally, many use it to stretch their most able students. Therefore the programme is truly flexible to fit each school setting and student context.
Some schools will conduct an application process, to replicate a real-world job seeking process and also ensure buy-in from the students. Whilst others will select the students they feel it will impact most positively. And other organisations will run the programme with a dedicated ‘STEM Stream Cohort’ of students. It truly is varied.
I need another teacher to help run it this week — how do I sign them up?
Simply add them as a teacher directly through the Race Academy Platform; see [Onboarding Teachers and Staff] for the steps. It only takes a few minutes, and there's no limit on how many staff you can add.
How much extra time do I need to spend on this?
This varies by school, but the programme is designed to sit alongside your existing timetable. The sessions are written to be 1hr per week, for every week of the academic year (39 modules). However, this is simply a skeleton structure, feel free to adapt it to suit you and your setting (e.g. many schools will build-up the kart kit and dismantle it more than once in a year).
Since the programme is fully resourced, pre-planned and student led, preparation time is genuinely minimal (especially if the Kart Kit can be left in position from week-to-week). Most Lead Teachers find the workload settles into a predictable rhythm once your team is past the first few sessions. If the time commitment ever feels unmanageable, contact us via [Support Routes: who to contact and when]; we'd rather help you adjust early than see a team fall behind.