One of the largest engineering clubs in Britain was online at Parkview School at Barrow in 1995.

All 150 pupils in Year 11 had joined the Young Engineers Club.

The school was already part of the Cumbria Young Engineers initiative.

Pupils were working on a range of engineering projects as part of their GCSE is design and technology using up-to-the-minute equipment such as computer-aided design, a computerised lathe and a computer-controlled sewing machine.

Nationally there were 10,000 members of the Young Engineers Movement, which aimed to excite and motivate its members in their understanding of science and technology.

The club would link them into a nationwide network offering support, professional guidance and resources.

Head of technology Alan Calvert said: “The Young Engineers Club is helping them to understand and enjoy their school work much more.

“The projects they are doing for the club will be of enormous help to them in their GCSE design and technology course.”

In 1995 there were five other young engineers clubs in Cumbria and the local SATRO (Science and Technology Regional Organisation) planned to launch another 14 that year.

All the Cumbria clubs were sponsored by Nirex.

Later that year Parkview headmaster Rod Wilson stressed the importance of technology in a speech at the school’s awards evening. He welcomed the special guest, Brian George, chief executive of GEC Marine, who visited the school’s science and technology facilities, which had recently undergone a major refurbishment.

Mr Wilson said: “Both in the town and further afield our future must lie in the continued development and exploitation of technology. Our pupils only get one chance at school and while they are here, they deserve the best. “Our improved facilities will help us prepare our pupils to meet the challenge of an ever-more technological world.”

Further investment was needed.