The Garfield Weston Foundation, a charitable grant-making foundation that supports a wide range of causes across the UK, has awarded STEM Learning funding of £200,000 to create ten new partnerships over the next 3 years. These will make a positive and long-term impact on STEM education where it is most needed.
The Garfield Weston Foundation was established in 1958 by the Weston family and is one of the largest and most respected charitable institutions in the UK which has donated over £1 billion in total. The Foundation aims to be responsive to where the need is greatest and therefore supports a wide range of charitable activity, including education.
The ten new partnerships will be based UK-wide, and reach up to 100 schools. Each will be funded by £20,000 from the Garfield Weston 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 eight schools and colleges, providing access to CPD, free resources, immersion in industry or university through teacher placements, STEM Ambassadors and enrichment activities.
Philippa Charles, Director at the Foundation, said: “Education is key to unlocking potential and inspiring young people about the possibilities ahead of them. Teachers play a major part in the choices they make so it makes sense to support teachers to be the best that they can be and ENTHUSE Partnerships are an effective way to achieve this. Our Trustees are delighted to support great teachers to have access to high-quality professional development.”
In supporting an ENTHUSE Partnership, the Garfield Weston Foundation joins organisations from across the charitable and business world, including such diverse names as ASDA, GSK, Goldman Sachs, Jacobs and the Vertex Foundation.
STEM Learning’s Chief Executive Yvonne Baker, said: “We are delighted to be working with The Garfield Weston Foundation. This prestigious Trust has an impressive track record of engaging schools in its educational initiatives that inspire the next generation. The Foundation’s support and expertise will greatly benefit schools, teachers and, most importantly, students from disadvantaged backgrounds through improved STEM education and the invaluable experiences and connections that would not otherwise be possible.”
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.
Find out more about our:
-ENTHUSE Partnerships
-Supporters
-STEM Ambassador Programme