Ashton Community Science College has been chosen as the STEM Club Champion for Lancashire and Cumbria.

The school is part of a new 22-strong network that will help teachers inspire more pupils in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects through out-of-timetable clubs.

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STEM clubs are used to engage students in an informal setting and through more imaginative and inventive teaching methods.  They allow students space to experiment, ask questions and tackle challenges of interest to them unconfined by the structures of the curriculum.

Ashton Community Science College was chosen because of its strong connections with the local school community and experience of supporting and engaging with teachers.

As STEM Club Champion, the school will help teachers across Lancashire and Cumbria to start or develop their own STEM subject clubs.

Representatives will work with secondary schools, Sixth Form and FE Colleges to deliver workshops and networking events. These will enable teachers and club leaders to share ideas and best practice, and also meet local STEM Ambassadors.

Sarah Connon, Assistant Headteacher at Ashton Community Science College said: “We are excited to take on this new role as STEM Club Champion and support teachers, teaching assistants and careers leaders to ensure students in our schools and colleges have opportunities to not only increase their cultural capital but also their skills.

“Across Lancashire and Cumbria there is extremely high demand for STEM skills, in particular for careers in the manufacturing and digital industries.

“Within our role, we will assist schools across the region to enhance their curriculum delivery and support them to produce highly skilled STEM employees of the future.

“Any schools looking for information on forthcoming workshops and events can visit our website and sign up to our weekly newsletter.”

The network has been set up by STEM Learning, the largest provider of STEM education and careers in the UK, following a grant from the Gatsby Foundation.

Dr Alex Brown, STEM Support Programme Manager at STEM Learning said: “STEM clubs are individual to each school, and there is of course, no set formula. However, evidence from our teacher surveys and consultations, including those with no STEM club experience, highlights a strong desire for face-to-face support at a local level to help them start, sustain and grow their clubs.

“Our STEM Club Champions will act as a hub in their patch, and over the next four years deliver hundreds of workshops to drive growth and develop the STEM club ‘ecosystem’ in their local area.

“Our ambition is for every young person in the UK to get the chance to engage with a thriving STEM club and we thank Gatsby Foundation for its continued support.”

To find out more visit www.stem.org.uk/stem-clubs/workshops, or email STEMclubchampion@ashtoncsc.com.

Read more: Ashton Community Science College consults over converting to an academy

What do you think of the school becoming a STEM Club Champion? Let us know in the comments.