EDUCATION
Of course, the curriculum must be covered and exams passed in style. Needless to say, they are. But due to the sheer breadth of topics covered, ‘there’s a lot to get through in quite a short amount of time’, admits Rachael at Sancton Wood. “STEM clubs and societies have a vital role to play.” Many pupils enjoy a challenge – and with STEM subjects, there are plenty to choose from, allowing them to ‘deep dive into those issues or take part in the competitions, which will naturally develop them’, voices Paul Baker at The Perse School. “Students might cover some competition questions as homework, then be encouraged to join a club if they want to take it further,” he adds. “You want to use learning as a platform and reach a point where they have a natural enthusiasm to put the time in themselves.” And they do. Around 100 students at The Perse signed up to a recent science Olympiad – one of many the school takes part in – usually achieving great success in the process. “It was entirely voluntary,” declares Allan Williamson. “They don’t have to be there, they want to – and to do more chemistry, physics and biology.”
Our role is guiding and facilitating: they own the investigation
Other STEM activities are equally attention-grabbing. “We have always given a lot of importance to enrichment because it’s where the children truly enjoy science,” comments Emilia Angelillo, a science technician, STEM ambassador at Sancton Wood. Students are inspired by ‘Can you survive a zombie apocalypse’? club where pupils embark on challenges including building a solar oven. Plus, Emilia delivers a workshop themed to edible poo – a startling, fun and highly memorable way of learning some of the whys and wherefores of gut health, using the Bristol Stool Chart. An increasing proportion of school life is dedicated to technology, both in and out of the classroom. Pupils at Gresham’s regularly star in robotics contests at a regional and national level. Plus, the school runs an annual STEAM outreach competition, which attracts over 500 students from more than 30 primary schools. They compete to build
© GRESHAM’S
CURIOUS MINDS Pupils at Gresham’s (above) get involved in a range of extracurricular STEM clubs
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