Two educational providers Priestley College and Beamont Collegiate Academy based in Warrington have successfully achieved the prestigious STEM Assured status.
Chris Hillidge, Director of STEM & Applied Learning at Beamont Collegiate Academy said:
“For our students achieving the STEM Assured status means that they have access to the best STEM centre of excellence in any academy in the country; A FabLab in conjunction with MIT, one of the biggest Coder Dojos in Europe, Robotics and digital media hubs and engineering facilities to rival a university. But more than this, the opportunity to work with STEM professionals on a regular basis – shaping their ideas of the possibilities that lie within a STEM career and also the skills and qualities sought by employers.
Our STEM career pathways have identified where there are recruitment gaps in the local and national STEM industries and we are intensively preparing our students to meet these gaps. Professional links, real world problem solving linked to industry, ask the expert sessions for the students, work experience placements and a daily educational diet of a curriculum that is relevant to best practice in the STEM sectors.
The amazing and varied range of enrichments that allow our students to try any number of STEM activities and develop their portfolio of expertise. These enrichments take the best of what is available in the UK and across the world to open our students’ eyes to their potential and inspire them to be the best they can be.”
Matthew Grant, Principal and Chief Executive of Priestley College said:
“We were very proud to be named the UK’s first STEM Assured sixth form college in 2012 and are therefore delighted to be the first that has been successfully re-evaluated.
This honour recognises the strong STEM culture at Priestley College and the opportunities we create for learners to improve their level of achievement in science, technology, engineering and maths.
This rigorous independent evaluation underlines our excellent work in STEM, which is supported by national employers who provide our students with numerous experiences and opportunities.
We welcome the support the external panel offered us throughout the re-evaluation process and look forward to continuing to lead the way in STEM education in Warrington for years to come.
Professor Sa’ad Medhat, Chief Executive of the STEM Foundation said:
“It is rewarding to see 6th Form colleges such as Priestley and schools such as Beamont Collegiate Academy really pushing the boundaries of their STEM education. The level of employer engagement at Priestley and the way in which core mathematics is being delivered ensures real impact for student learning. Beamont Collegiate Academy is reinventing itself with STEM as a key differentiator, inspiring pupils to consider STEM careers and engaging employers and the local community to work together to support STEM is highly commendable! Congratulations to both providers.
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