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week, you’ll have a greater impact
than focusing on one-off activities.”
Employers also host STEM Insight
placements for teachers to spend 5-10
days on-site, immersing themselves in
the industry and seeing what jobs entail.
Afterwards, teachers receive CPD to
help them embed their learning into
the classroom and convey what they
have learned to pupils.
Keeping up with technology
To date, STEM Learning has supported
128 ENTHUSE Partnerships. External
evaluation shows that 100% of
participating headteachers would
recommend these to a peer. With help
from employers, STEM Learning hopes
to support a further 1,000 partnerships
over the next five years.
Dainty is confident that results will
be noted within this time frame. “We
want to see an increase in the number
of young people pursuing STEM
careers,” she says. “We’ve seen a positive
trajectory in aspiration, interest and
confidence and young people’s minds
opened to STEM careers, so it’s exciting.
“We will continue evolving support
to fit the needs of schools and
employers and will ensure this reflects
new tech and future careers, so we are
truly preparing young people to
succeed. If that improves the STEM
talent pipeline we’ll be happy.”
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SPOTLIGHT ON TWO GSK ENTHUSE PARTNERSHIPS:
Gatsby Benchmarks
NORTH HERTS TEACHING ALLIANCE MONIFIETH HIGH
Ten secondary schools in Hertfordshire, led by
the North Herts Teaching Alliance, are focusing
their ENTHUSE Partnership on raising the
attainment of Year 9 pupil premium students
through improving their understanding of
maths and science. Two secondary schools, one primary school
and an FE college are focusing their ENTHUSE
Partnership on technologies to enhance
transition and inform choices when exploring
pathways to encourage girls into STEM.
The focus is on closing the gap between
advantaged and disadvantaged students
through a series of student activities and
bespoke CPD sessions. Opportunities are being
developed through the STEM Learning network
for students and teachers to engage with local
employers and explore future career options.
Working with GSK
This year, pharmaceutical giant GSK
began working with STEM Learning
through six new fully funded ENTHUSE
Partnerships located near to GSK’s UK
sites. These bring much-needed support
to groups of schools and colleges
around the UK, enabling them to improve
young people’s outcomes in STEM. GSK
is committed to encouraging more
pupils, from all backgrounds, to progress
in STEM studies and careers; supporting
social mobility and underpinning the
UK economy.
Participating schools are building
strong links with GSK employees,
This will start in primary and continue into
secondary through a variety of projects, with
a plan to increase uptake in STEM subjects
in senior school. The activities will focus on:
structures, aerodynamics & car design; and
coding & design in architecture.
The impact will be measured by looking
at changes in attitude towards STEM subjects,
knowledge of careers and gender bias in
this area.
including their STEM Ambassadors.
Teachers benefit from proven STEM-
specific professional development, and
pupils will have multiple opportunities
to learn where STEM can take them.
Dr Cara Matthew, acting deputy
head at Monifieth High School, says:
“We are thrilled to take part in this GSK
ENTHUSE Partnership – it will enable us
to work with other local schools and
colleges to build a sustainable model
of collaborative support, where we
share good practice and expertise,
providing pupils with a different
experience of science and technology.
Our aim is to increase the uptake and
performance of our pupils in STEM
subjects and to provide our young
people with a greater insight into
potential career pathways.”
Developing relationships
GET INVOLVED
If you would like to get involved in an
ENTHUSE Partnership with other schools
and colleges in your local area and
engage with STEM employers, visit
bit.ly/EnthusePartnerships
48 // STEM
For businesses, the partnerships will help
build the STEM skills pipeline locally and
nationally, boost employee motivation
and skills through working with young
people and develop relationships with
future employees.
Kerry O’Callaghan, vice president,
global brand, GSK, says: “As a
science-led global healthcare company,
GSK is committed to looking at ways to
further STEM education, helping to
inspire the next generation, who will
deliver groundbreaking ideas. We are
excited to join the ENTHUSE Alliance to
increase access to high-quality learning
opportunities in STEM subjects.”