The Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 is expanding its investment in ENTHUSE by funding three new ENTHUSE Partnerships.
The Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 supports study and research in science, engineering, the built environment and design, focusing on raising the awareness of young people to the opportunities presented by science and engineering.
The three new partnerships will reach 24 schools, 120 teachers and 12,000 pupils with a blend of:
- STEM-specific professional development for participating teachers
- engagement with STEM Ambassadors
- teacher work experience placements in industry
- support for establishment and development of STEM Clubs
- access to themed teaching resources
In a hub-and-spoke model, each ENTHUSE Partnership will be led by a school which was shortlisted for a Royal Commission-funded Primary ENTHUSE Award, enabling them to cascade their expertise to other local schools.
ENTHUSE Partnerships bring together groups of 4-8 local schools to work on an intensive, bespoke, two-year action plan to improve young people’s STEM knowledge, skills, confidence and career aspirations, with STEM Learning’s support.
The results of ENTHUSE Partnerships are clear: independent evaluations show that the support they provide improves STEM teaching and teacher retention, tackling the shortage of teachers with STEM knowledge. This increases young people’s interest and attainment in STEM, as well as awareness of STEM careers, and the evidence suggests pupils receiving free school meals benefit even more than their peers.
- 84% of teachers agree that ENTHUSE Partnerships positively impact young people’s attainment in STEM subjects
- 90% of teachers report that young people’s engagement and interest in STEM subjects increase
- 92% of Partnership leaders increase collaboration with other schools
- 82% of Partnership leaders report that involvement in the programme helped inspire them to remain in teaching