AN ENGINEERING firm’s collaboration with a Batley girls’ school aims to encourage more students to take up science, technology and maths.

Huddersfield-based Cummins Turbo Technologies has joined forces with Batley Girls’ High School to open a Scientific Playground.

The firm’s executive director Mark Firth opened the playground at the school with deputy head Ray Henshaw.

Mr Firth said: "This project aims to encourage a greater take up of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) by the school’s students whilst also developing our staff and supporting new talent through links with local schools."

Cummins Turbo Technologies is also working with the school to set up a STEM club.

The Scientific Playground, consisting of a swing, slide and seesaw will be used for physics experiments at the club as well as for other lessons.

The equipment was designed and manufactured by employees at Cummins as part of a community project.

Cummins encourages staff to participate in community initiatives and in 2012 more than 5,500 hours of community work was completed by its employees.