Wales High Teacher Recognised Nationally for Transforming STEM Education
A groundbreaking STEM initiative co-founded by one of our very own staff members has been recognised with a prestigious national award.
Jorden Birch, pictured left, continues to inspire students in the classroom while helping transform the future of STEM education nationwide.
STEMunity, co-founded by Wales High School teacher Jorden Birch and Laura Watford, has won the Royal Society of Chemistry’s (RSC) Team Prize for Excellence in Secondary and Further Education, for its outstanding work in making STEM more accessible, inclusive, and inspiring for underrepresented young people.
Miss Lisa McCall, Headteacher, said:
“I am absolutely delighted for Jorden and incredibly proud to have her as part of the Wales High School community. She is a fantastic role model, not just for our students but for all of us who work alongside her. The impact she has through STEMunity is remarkable and I genuinely don’t know how she finds the time to do everything she does. Our students gain so much from her energy, passion and commitment to making STEM exciting and accessible. Jorden’s contribution to Wales and the wider STEM community is immeasurable and we are so lucky to have her at Wales”.
STEMunity is a grassroots organisation creating hands-on, community-focused STEM experiences. Since its launch, the initiative has reached over 10,000 young people across the UK, internationally, through partnerships with schools, volunteers, and major organisations such as the British Council and EngineeringUK.
In awarding the prize, the RSC praised STEMunity “for transforming access to chemistry and STEM through inclusive, high-impact programmes that have engaged more than 10,000 underrepresented students across secondary and further education sectors in the UK and internationally.”
As winners, Laura and Jorden will share £3,000, a team trophy, and a certificate, and join a distinguished group of recipients that includes Nobel Prize winners over the award’s 150-year history.
Reflecting on the achievement, Jorden Birch, co-founder and Enrichment / STEM Coordinator, at Wales High School, said:
“This award is a reflection of the incredible young people we work with; it’s their curiosity, resilience, and brilliance that inspire everything we do. We started STEMunity to create opportunities for those who are so often overlooked, and this recognition reminds us that grassroots, inclusive education can truly change lives.”
Through inclusive school partnerships, community events, and innovative projects like the 5PARK resource, STEMunity helps children and families—particularly those from disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds- engage with real-world science in practical, creative, and empowering ways.
Dr Helen Pain, CEO of the Royal Society of Chemistry, commented:
“The STEMunity team’s work demonstrates an outstanding commitment to chemistry education, and it is our honour to celebrate their considerable contribution.”
This award shines a spotlight not only on STEMunity, but also on the meaningful work being done right here at Wales High School, where Jorden continues to inspire students in the classroom while helping transform the future of STEM education nationwide.