VEX Robotics
Press Kit
The Blueprint for Tomorrow’s Workforce
Welcome to the VEX Robotics UK press kit. As the UK faces a critical STEM skills gap, industry leaders are urgently seeking a solution. We are providing the blueprint.
At VEX Robotics, we don't just build robots; we build resilient problem-solvers.
Through our scalable, classroom-ready platforms and the world-renowned VEX Robotics Competition, we equip students of all ages with the engineering, computational thinking, and teamwork skills demanded by the modern economy.
This kit contains everything you need to understand how we are successfully bridging the gap from the classroom to a thriving STEM career.
Featured in
Building the Engineers of the Future, Today
VEX Robotics is the global leader in educational robotics, but our mission in the UK goes far beyond the hardware. We are dedicated to transforming how STEM is taught, making it an accessible, hands-on reality for students from their first day of primary school through to higher education.
We provide a continuous, age-appropriate and adaptable learning journey. Our ecosystem begins with early-years logic and sequencing using VEX 123 and VEX GO, advances to structural engineering with VEX GO and VEX IQ, and culminates in industry-standard coding (C++, Python) and complex mechanics with VEX EXP and V5. The introduction of two new solutions VEX AIM and VEX CTE, means educators can now seamlessly integrate AI learning and TVET principals into classrooms across the UK.
Under the leadership of our UK team, we have spent over a decade integrating these resources directly into the educational landscape. We know that true innovation requires bridging education and industry. By collaborating with influential partners such as Nissan UK, Eaton, Harper Adams University, and The REECE Foundation, we ensure our programmes are not just academic exercises, but direct pipelines to real-world engineering careers.
Coupled with the VEX Robotics Competition—the largest and fastest-growing robotics competition in the world—we provide a high-energy environment where students develop the crucial "soft skills" of project management, communication, and iterative design.
VEX Robotics is more than an educational tool; it is a powerful vehicle for advancing innovation across the UK.
Recent Press Releases
First Friday Press Club
Building the Blueprint: VEX Robotics Showcases the Future of the UK’s STEM Workforce.
UK Team wins prestigious award at VEX Worlds
UK Robotics Team’s Global Win Highlights Urgent STEM Skills Opportunity.
Testimonials
“This is our fourth year, and it's been an amazing experience for us. We've learned so much, and it's really helped us in school.”
VEX V5 Team - Frog“The funding provided by the Reece Foundation has significantly transformed our approach to STEM education within the school.
Their generous support has enabled us to incorporate STEM across various key stages: VEX 123 in Key Stage 1, VEX GO in Lower KS2 and then VEX IQ in Upper Key Stage 2.
This progressive integration of technology has not only enhanced our learning environment but has also inspired our younger students to engage more deeply with STEM subjects.”
Gina Dye, Teacher - Bill Quay Primary“Support from organisations like the Reece Foundation not only makes engineering and computer science more accessible and attractive to our pupils, but importantly, it shows that if you have a dream and work hard there is no telling where you will end up.”
Dan Burfield, Teacher - Wardley Primary School“Their technical knowledge was exceptional. But what set them apart was their ability to apply it in unpredictable, high-stakes contexts — under pressure, across cultures, and in real time. This is what 21st-century education demands: not just expertise, but agility, creativity, and collaboration.”
Robin Street, Director of Innovation - NLCS“As we continue to fund this inspiring project, we hope the children’s recent robotics success encourages other schools and organisations to participate. It would be great for the future if more schools and business partners get involved, as it's not only financial support that is required but also the creation of more opportunities for our young people.”
Anne Reece, Chair of the REECE Foundation
“Last year we didn't get to Nationals and were at the bottom of all our regionals. But this year we've won. So it’s important to not give up and to keep trying and keep thinking of new ideas to improve.”
VIQRC Team - NLCS Probots
Case Studies
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Anglesboro National School
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Portobello Primary School
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Kings Rise Academy
FAQs
Below are some common questions we receive in regards to the VEX Continuum and VEX Robotics Competition programmes. Should you have any questions that aren’t covered below, or want further details - please feel free to reach out.
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Our continuum is designed to grow with students. We offer tailored platforms starting from early primary (ages 4+ with VEX 123), through secondary school, and into university-level engineering (VEX V5 and VEX CTE).
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Teachers don't have to invent the wheel. We provide free, classroom-ready lesson plans (STEM Labs) that map directly to the UK National Curriculum for Computing, Design & Technology, and Maths, making it easy for educators to implement structured robotics programmes.
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Major corporations recognize that VEX is actively solving the UK's engineering skills gap. Students who engage in our programmes graduate with the exact technical proficiencies and collaborative mindsets these global companies need in their future apprentices and workforce.
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It is the ultimate "workforce simulator." Teams of students design, build, and program robots to play a game-based engineering challenge against other schools. Beyond the technical skills, it teaches students how to collaborate under pressure, manage long-term projects, and bounce back from failure.
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Absolutely not. We actively collaborate with philanthropic organizations like The REECE Foundation to ensure robotics education is accessible to students across all communities. We are committed to breaking down barriers to STEM entry across the country.
Our Team
We welcome inquiries from the media and are happy to facilitate interviews, provide further data on the UK STEM landscape, or supply additional high-resolution assets.
Paul McKnight
Head of Operations (EMEA), VEX RoboticsPaul oversees the strategic expansion and operational success of VEX Robotics across the UK.
With over a decade of experience driving the platform’s growth from primary schools to higher education, Paul is the architect behind VEX’s major industry and educational partnerships. He sits at the critical intersection of education policy and workforce demand, making him the definitive voice on how the UK can build a sustainable, national pipeline of STEM talent.
Chris Calver
UK Education Manager, VEX RoboticsChris is the pedagogical powerhouse behind VEX Robotics in the UK.
He specializes in translating complex engineering concepts into accessible, classroom-ready resources that align seamlessly with the UK National Curriculum. Chris is deeply passionate about early-intervention STEM and empowering teachers—especially those with zero coding background—to confidently deliver world-class computational thinking and design lessons.
Melissa Butterworth
Regional Support Manager, Global Robotics & Science FoundationMelissa is the driving force behind the grassroots growth and execution of the VEX Robotics Competition across the UK.
She sees first-hand how the competitive arena acts as the ultimate "workforce simulator." Melissa champions accessibility and inclusion in STEM, working closely with regional schools and philanthropic partners to ensure that every student, regardless of background, has the opportunity to experience the transformative power of competitive robotics.