The Spectris Foundation, a charity set up to support education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, has awarded STEM Learning funding of £100,000 to create five new Partnerships over the next two years to support 200 teachers and 22,500 students, making a positive and long-term impact to STEM education where it is most needed.
The Spectris Foundation was established in July 2021 and aims to improve access to quality STEM education to enable a cleaner, healthier and more productive world. They support students and educators to engineer bright futures by providing funding and support including grants and bursaries aimed at improving? participation in STEM careers.
The five new Partnerships will be based in Malvern, Dundee, Crowborough, Chapel-en-le-Frith and Royston, and will reach up to 50 schools. Each will be funded by £20,000 from the Spectris Foundation to support teacher professional development and raise engagement and achievement in STEM subjects, especially those from disadvantaged groups.
ENTHUSE Partnerships, run by STEM Learning through Project ENTHUSE, brings schools and colleges together to work collaboratively to develop an intensive two-year programme to raise aspiration and achievement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Each Partnership works with a group of six-to-ten schools and colleges, providing access to CPD, free resources, immersion in industry or university through teacher placements, STEM Ambassadors and enrichment activities.
Derek Harding, Chair of Trustees for the Spectris Foundation, said: “It’s a pleasure to be delivering the Spectris Foundation’s first grant to ENTHUSE Partnerships. The Spectris Foundation believes that every person should have an equal right to access a quality STEM education – we aim to remove barriers to education and inspire - what an incredible opportunity it is to play a part in inspiring over 22,000 students!”
In supporting an ENTHUSE Partnership, the Spectris Foundation joins organisations from across the charitable and business world, including such diverse names as ASDA, GSK, Goldman Sachs, Jacobs and the Vertex Foundation.
Anna Gawthorp, Strategic Partnership Lead at the National STEM Learning Centre, said: “I am delighted to welcome the Spectris Foundation to join our ENTHUSE Partnership supporters. The Partnership will help STEM Learning’s mission to change the lives of thousands of young people, nurturing future talent for crucial STEM skills.”
STEM Learning’s ENTHUSE Partnerships enable more young people, from all backgrounds, to progress in their STEM education, with more students entering high-value STEM-related careers as a result. By doing so, STEM Learning improves social mobility and the life chances of some of the UK’s most vulnerable young people.
STEM Learning is always looking to work with new partners to improve STEM education in the UK. If you are interested in finding out more, please email employers@stem.org.uk.