KING’S Ely is spearheading an innovative independent-state school partnership to encourage interest in science among pupils at Cambridgeshire primary schools.
The project, which will run for seven terms starting this summer term, has been awarded a £35,000 grant by the educational charity SHINE (Support & Help In Education) which supports initiatives that encourage children to raise their achievement levels.
Stretham, Rackham, Littleport, Earith and Histon & Impington are the first ‘Primary School partners’ and pupils from each of these schools will come to King’s
one afternoon a week for lessons in the school’s specialist science facilities.
Director of the scheme is chemistry specialist, Andrew Thompson, who was the driving force behind the Chemistry Network, a government-funded partnership between King’s Ely and Abbey College Ramsey, Ely College and Witchford Community College.
“This time we want to raise interest and achievement in science among younger children and we are delighted to have got financial support from SHINE,” said Mr Thompson. “Initially we will work with ten and 11-year-olds in Year 6 but eventually we hope to also include those in Year 5.
“We shall also run a number of Science is Fun events on Saturday mornings. These are designed to be educational and also fun. Our overall aim is to raise awareness, interest and achievement and we can’t wait to get started.”
The Head of King’s Ely, Sue Freestone, said: “I am delighted that once again King’s Ely is able to offer facilities in support of an initiative which will give children from all over the area the chance to enrich and extend their learning experience and also the opportunity to work, meet and mix with students from other schools.”
Andrew Thompson