Wales High School Leads Successful Enthuse Partnership to Boost STEM Education and Careers

Wales High School, in collaboration with High Storrs School, Bents Green School, Netherwood Academy, The Willows School, Aston Academy, XP East and XP School, is proud to announce the successful completion of their Enthuse Partnership. This initiative aimed to raise the profile of STEM subjects in their schools and inspire young people to pursue STEM-related careers.

The partnership provided numerous professional development opportunities for teachers and engaging STEM experiences for students. Key activities included CPD sessions on STEAM learning, SEND support in science, leadership development in secondary science and workshops with leading experts. Notable highlights included the Special Schools Science CPD Conference, practical work leadership and the ‘Space For All Challenge,’ where students collaborated on space travel experiments.

Through regular network meetings and resource-sharing, the schools established strong connections, resulting in improved teaching practices, enhanced student engagement and increased aspirations for STEM careers. Students benefitted from trips such as the ‘Space for All’ visit to the Magna Science Centre, which allowed them to engage in hands-on experiments and connect science to real-world applications.

Feedback from staff and students has been overwhelmingly positive. Teachers reported increased confidence in delivering STEM lessons, especially in adapting to the needs of SEND students, while students showed heightened enthusiasm for STEM subjects and career opportunities. The partnership has also led to new links with STEM employers, creating future pathways for students.

The impact of the partnership extends beyond the participating schools. STEM ambassadors and local STEM businesses, including Amazelab and MoSAIC, are now actively involved, ensuring continued support and opportunities for future cohorts.

The Enthuse Partnership has proven to be a catalyst for raising STEM aspirations and ensuring that all students, including those with special educational needs, have access to high-quality STEM education and career pathways.

Miss Lisa McCall, Headteacher, said: “The Enthuse Partnership has been nothing short of transformational for Wales High School. It’s been an incredible opportunity to collaborate with like-minded schools, ignite curiosity in our students, and equip our staff with the confidence and tools to deliver outstanding STEM education. The impact on both teaching practice and student aspiration has been profound. We’re immensely proud to have led a partnership that not only celebrates inclusivity and innovation in STEM, but also opens real-world career pathways for all our young people, including those with additional needs. This is just the beginning of something truly exciting.”

Key Highlights:

• 81.8% of staff feel confident in linking STEM lessons to careers.
• 55% of schools have provided students with six or more opportunities to meet STEM employers.
• The partnership has significantly raised student enthusiasm for STEM careers.