Ex-Denbigh High student Tom has a dream roll at top F1 team

Denbigh High School is celebrating a former student’s success in the world of F1 after he secured a prestigious apprenticeship with major team McLaren following his incredible achievements in the F1 in Schools competition at the school.

The past few months have been a whirlwind for Tom Fishwick, 18, since hearing the news that he had been accepted as a metallic machinists apprentice with McLaren, securing one of just three positions which attracted over 300 applicants.

Tom’s interest in F1 was sparked in primary school when he first competed in the F1 in Schools competition, but it was when he started at Denbigh High and was selected along with five other students in year eight to make up team Quantum that his natural ability really shone through.

The team won the regional finals and went through to the UK national finals held at Silverstone F1 track, but didn’t make the world finals.

READ MORE: Denbigh High School named Welsh Champions in F1 in Schools competition

Undeterred, the team entered again in 2019 and this time went through to the world finals in Abu Dhabi as Welsh champions, up against 300 students from across the world, winning several awards.

In preparation, the team had months of hard work, from developing the car to world finals standard, to finding new sponsors and raising the £60,000 to cover the cost of new uniforms, flight tickets, accommodation, and shipping over equipment and cars.

Tom’s role as manufacturing engineer and scrutineer meant he led the manufacture and assembly of the car, as well as meticulously ensuring the car met the stringent regulations and was legal to race in the competition.

Tom dreamed of working in an F1 team and had set his heart on McLaren, having always been an avid supporter.

After much research and looking into career opportunities with the company, he discovered the metallic machinists apprenticeship, and was ecstatic to be selected after a vigorous application process.

Team Quantum with teacher, Gareth Jones, at the 2019 world final in Abu Dhabi (Image: Submitted)

Tom started his apprenticeship in September, initially attending the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) in Woking for his induction and training, before heading to the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, Training Centre (AMRC TC) in Sheffield, which is part of the University of Sheffield, for his block training, with McLaren covering accommodation costs.

Once a month, Tom travels to the MTC to check in on his progress and spends time shadowing a machinist mentor.

Tom said: “So far this apprenticeship has been amazing, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and a dream come true.

"McLaren is an amazing place to work, from the job itself to the people you’re with; everyone I have met and worked with so far has been so nice, kind, and down to earth, which was not what I was expecting from such a huge company, it truly is like one big family.

“I cannot advocate the F1 in Schools competition enough.

"It is the best STEM competition for school aged children and young people as it offers a brilliant education for not only STEM but also for key life skills, such as gaining newfound confidence for socialising and public speaking, which I think many people struggle with these days.

“It also gives you outstanding memories, whether or not you progress through the stages. I look back on my time with the team fondly, alongside the countless hours put in to be stood there in Abu Dhabi competing against the world's best F1 in Schools teams.

"The feeling I experienced while competing is, to this day, unmatched for euphoria and adrenaline, and I hope future competitors will get to experience this too.

Tom Fishwick talks to students at Denbigh High School this week (Image: Submitted)

“I would like to thank my teachers and school for their commitment to the competition. It has opened doors for me and several members of the team that we could only have dreamt of.

"I would particularly like to thank Gareth Jones for all the support and encouragement he gave us, and I am looking forward to returning to school to talk to the next generation of budding engineers.”

Tom went back to Denbigh High School earlier this week to talk about his experience.