Three more schools in south-east to join innovative programme to boost science in schools

For Immediate Use
11 February 2003

The partners behind the INSPIRE scheme today congratulated three schools from the south-east as they achieved Specialist Science school status.

Education and Skills Secretary Charles Clarke yesterday announced that 40 schools nationally had been awarded specialist Science school status, following open competition.

The announcement of Science school status for St Gregory's, Kenton, Middlesex; The Heathland, Hounslow; and Stewards School, Harlow, means that the schools can now join the INSPIRE scheme to boost science in schools that is being piloted in London and the south-east.

Each school will benefit from sponsorship of UKP40,000 from pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline, together with UKP100,000 from the Government for capital projects, and an extra UKP123 per pupil for four years.

Meanwhile post-doctoral science researchers from Imperial College London will help with delivery of science lessons, giving pupils access to cutting edge scientific knowledge and fresh enthusiasm for their subject. They will also facilitate and deliver extra activities linked to the science school status, such as extra curricular activities and clubs.

The partners in INSPIRE (INnovative Scheme for Post-docs in Research and Education) - Imperial College London, GSK and the Specialist Schools Trust - gave the winners a warm welcome following yesterday's announcement.

INSPIRE Project Director and ex-head of science in a comprehensive school, Dr Nick Price said, "I have first hand experience of how the shortage of teachers limits both the teaching of science and the number of young students taking up careers in science. INSPIRE sponsors specialist schools, but more critically places young, motivated scientists into those schools to help them deliver on their specialist status. We hope that specialist status and funding coupled with enthusiastic scientists will really improve achievement in science, the numbers qualified in these subjects and increase the number of science teachers."

Katie Pinnock, Director of GSK's UK Corporate Contributions, said: "GSK is funding INSPIRE as part of its ongoing commitment to community programmes in the UK. Science education forms a key part of that commitment and is critical to the future success of high technology industries such as the discovery and development of pharmaceuticals."

Liz Reid, Chief Executive of the Specialist Schools Trust, said: "We are delighted to be involved with the INSPIRE project. Specialist schools are driving up standards in all areas of the curriculum and this programme has the potential to enhance science teaching even further."

Yesterday's announcement brings the number of schools involved in the INSPIRE pilot project to five. The schools join Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls in Ealing and Preston Manor High School in Wembley.

A UKP1 million commitment from GlaxoSmithKline supports an initial four year pilot of INSPIRE in which it is hoped that up to 15 schools in the around the M25 area will be involved.

The scheme, developed by Imperial College London with the Specialist Schools Trust, has been running since September 2002. Three post-doctoral students from Imperial are already working in the first two schools to be admitted to the INSPIRE scheme.

Imperial post-doctoral science researchers who have recently completed their PhDs study towards a postgraduate teaching qualification while school teachers will benefit from having direct access to subject specialists and, more generally, through the association with university academics.

ENDS

For more information please contact:

Dr J. Nick Price
Project Director, INSPIRE
Imperial College London
Tel 020 7594 8128
Email: nick.price@imperial.ac.uk

Notes to Editors:

INSPIRE was unveiled by Prime Minister Tony Blair and former Education and Skills Secretary Estelle Morris in June 2002.

The new schools joining INSPIRE are (Name - LEA - Region):

*St Gregory's RC High School, Kenton, Middlesex - Brent - London
*The Heathland, Hounslow - Hounslow - London
*Stewards School, Harlow - Essex - Eastern
Web site: www.imperial.ac.uk/inspire

About GlaxoSmithKline

GlaxoSmithKline - one of the world's leading pharmaceutical and healthcare companies - is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. The company has a continuing programme of charitable activities in the United Kingdom, supporting healthcare, scientific education and medical research, the arts and environment. For company information, visit GlaxoSmithKline on the World Wide Web at www.gsk.com. For detailed information on the companys community programmes, go to www.gsk.com/community

About Specialist Schools Trust

The Specialist Schools Trust supports specialist schools and those applying for specialist status. The Specialist Schools Programme helps schools, in partnership with private sector sponsors and supported by additional Government funding, to build on their particular strengths, establish distinctive identities through their chosen specialisms and achieve their targets to raise standards. All specialist schools must still teach a broad and balanced curriculum, meeting the requirements of the National Curriculum whilst also providing enriched learning opportunities in their chosen specialist subject area. Specialist schools work within a "family of schools" for the benefit of pupils beyond their own school boundaries and other groups of people in the wider community.

About Imperial College London

Consistently rated in the top three UK university institutions, Imperial College London is a world leading science-based university whose reputation for excellence in teaching and research attracts students (10,000) and staff (5,000) of the highest international quality.
Innovative research at the College explores the interface between science, medicine, engineering and management and delivers practical solutions, which enhance the quality of life and the environment - underpinned by a dynamic enterprise culture.
Website: www.imperial.ac.uk