About Us

IntroductionQuickLink Systems are based in Essex and have been developing innovative electronics teaching  resources for secondary schools and colleges since 2000.

After participating in the National Strategy pilot in 2005, QuickLink Systems became a Curriculum-On-Line producer and supplier of electronics teaching and learning software. After the eLC programme was concluded in 2008, they released Project Tools and new PIC hardware systems to support the delivery of new vocational courses and the latest D and T National Curriculum.

The revised teaching programme continues to support creative electronics through hands-on learning. With many schools/teachers still being critised for offering too little, or no opportunity, for independent learning and design, QuickLink Systems’ latest resource Project Tools now employs a combination of component, systems and PIC based activities.

They hold a patent for the easy interlinking of system circuit boards where time-consuming connectors are not required. Their specially designed hardware and hands-on systems, facilitate more learner-led activities and less prescribed projects – where creativity, success and enjoyment can be more easily supported and managed.

QuickLink Systems

QuickLink have been regular exhibitors at the NEC Design and Technology show in Birmingham and at the Design and Technology Association conferences. With the valuable support of Brian and Patsy Beech they have continued to support and enthuse teachers up and down the country.

With electronics heavily embedded in all of our lives today, QuickLink hope to continue for many years, promoting teaching systems that allow students to experience the fun and excitement of designing and making their own electronic circuits and systems.

See Case Study by Invest - Essex County Council…QuickLink Systems, designs and manufactures a range of ‘Project Tools’, ready-to-use electronics teaching solutions for Design and Technology departments, to support hands-on creative electronics at Key Stages 3/4 and at Engineering Diploma level. The company, which is based at Earls Colne near Colchester in Essex, is working with schools throughout the UK and is now developing plans to meet the increasing levels of interest from countries around the world.

Quinn Gardener, founder of the company, is a former teacher who recognised through his own experience that electronics was a difficult subject to get across. “A report from OFSTED highlighting the weakness in electronics teaching reflected my own concerns. The solution we have developed is designed to be fun to use and encourages learning through doing. Our Project Tools quickly allow teachers and learners to confidently gain skills and understanding as they progress from a range of starter focused tasks and interactive tutorials to work on more creative open-ended design and make assignments.”

While developing the original product, the company received valuable support from Essex County Council’s Essex Innovation Programme, as Quinn Gardener explains…
See our full Case Study at Invest Essex-Essex County Council

About the FounderQuinn Gardener graduated from Warwick University with an honours degree in Engineering Science (Electronics). He spent ten years in industry designing sound systems, installations and special effect systems for theatre and trade shows in Europe before settling down to run a furniture designing and making business in East Anglia. He went on to obtain a PGCE in D & T from Middlesex University and for fifteen years taught in Essex schools. During this period his specialism was electronics and was head of A level electronics courses but mainly focused on Key Stage 3 systems electronics where he believed there was still much more to be achieved. To that end, he obtained a patent for a new pcb linking system and bursary from TEP in 2000 to develop accompanying ICT resources.
Quinn has continued to promote and support creative electronics teaching by supplying CPD training and innovative software/hardware resources to schools in the UK and abroad. He has received support from INVEST Essex, is partner with the EISS and regularly exhibites at the Birmingham NEC D and T exhibition and the Design and Technology Association research conferences.
Other passions include: furniture/theatre set designing and making, sound engineering and the creative performing arts.

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