Outreach at 50
Fifty years of outreach at Imperial College London
Outreach at 50
Imperial College London launched its first ever outreach programme in 1975 – a novel and ground-breaking tutoring initiative for local schools called the Pimlico Connection. It is believed to be the very first of its kind in the UK and we are proud that it continues to support pupils to this day. The initiative sparked Imperial’s longstanding commitment to helping young people realise their aspirations regardless of background. In addition, The Pimlico Connection also marks the first in a wide-ranging suite of outreach activity that has impacted over 200,000 young people over the past 50 years.
Since 1975, Imperial has continued to launch innovative outreach initiatives in collaboration with charities, schools and other partners. Thanks to the generosity and dedication of the Imperial community and its collaborators, the university has become a pioneer in schools outreach. It has led the way by establishing specialist facilities on its campuses – the Wohl Reach Out Lab in 2010 and the Dangoor Reach Out Makerspace in 2017 – and by developing online and interactive programmes to engage young people of all ages in our local community and further afield.
The Outreach at 50 series honours this incredible milestone by celebrating the people behind this legacy and exploring what outreach means - from building confidence, to widening access to STEM careers and ultimately creating lasting change within communities.
So, where did it all begin?
The early years
1960 - 1990
1960s
Strengthening school links
Imperial began hosting annual two-day meeting with schools to build stronger connections with secondary education. These brought together headteachers, science teachers, and students together to discuss key issues of the time, including the shortage of science teachers, gender disparities in science and how to better align school and university expectations.
1974
Community action
Imperial’s Department of Electrical Engineering launched community focussed projects, from improving food distribution to inclusive technology design, aimed at direct social benefit.
1975
The beginning of the Pimlico Connection
Inspired by international mentoring models, Professor Sinclair Goodlad founded the Pimlico Connection. The scheme placed 12 engineering students as weekly science and maths tutors at a local comprehensive school, The Pimlico School.
1976
The Pimlico Connection expands
The Pimlico Connection scheme expanded rapidly, involving more schools and subjects.
1980
UROP launches
The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (UROP) was launched at Imperial by Professor Goodlad, giving students the chance to contribute to real research projects, a tradition that continues today.
The Pimlico Connection becomes an official Society of the Imperial College Student Union.
1981
National recognition for the Pimlico Connection
In 1981, Professor Goodlad published The Wednesday Thousand report, highlighting that 234 student tutors had delivered over 6,800 hours of support to nearly 3,000 pupils across five schools.
In the same year, the Pimlico Connection Society received joint recognition from the Royal Society of Arts Education for Capability movement, alongside Professor Goodlad's Communication of Scientific Ideas course, which encouraged tutors to reflect critically on their outreach work.
1984
Professor Goodlad steps down
Sinclair Goodlad stepped down from his role as staff-coordinator of The Pimlico Connection after nine years of leadership. He was awarded Honorary Life Membership of the Imperial College Union as a result of his contributions to the programme and impact on student experience.
1985
The beginning of IC WISE
IC WISE (Imperial Women Into Science and Engineering) was launched in 1985 by Margaret Cunningham. The course offered female sixth-form students the opportunity to explore science at Imperial and challenge gender stereotypes.
The development of outreach
The two decades from 1990 to 2010 were a time of remarkable growth and creativity for outreach at Imperial. What began as a local tutoring initiative evolved into a diverse programme of activities supporting thousands of young people.
The establishment of a dedicated Schools Liaison Office, spearheaded by Professor David Phillips, in 1990 marked a key milestone, creating new opportunities aimed at helping students explore STEM and imagine their futures in higher education. As the Pimlico Connection gained national and international recognition, it also inspired new ways for students and researchers to share their knowledge and passion with schools.
This period saw the launch of many now-familiar initiatives, from immersive summer schools and mentoring schemes to creative collaborations that brought science and the arts together. New programmes supported aspiring teachers, widened access to medicine, and encouraged young people to communicate science in engaging ways.
In 2010, the opening of the Wohl Reach Out Lab, driven by Professor Lord Robert Winston, provided a a unique and dedicated space for hands-on learning, a symbol of Imperial’s deepening commitment to outreach. These years laid the groundwork for the vibrant, inclusive outreach community that continues to thrive today.
The development of outreach
1990 - 2010
1990
Outreach expansion
Former Pimlico Connection tutor John Hughes returned to Imperial in the role of staff coordinator. Supported by the ‘Aiming for a College Education’ grant, Hughes oversaw a large expansion of activities within the Pimlico Connection. Hosting Open Days, special seasonal events such as the Christmas Caper and piloting partner activities with the Science Museum, many more schools and pupils engaged with Imperial activities.
Also in 1990, Professor David Phillips CBE joined Imperial and was given the responsibility of formally establishing the Schools Liaison Office, now known as the Outreach Team. For many years, the Pimlico Connection was the office’s sole programme. Today, it has grown to include more mentoring and tutoring schemes, school partnerships, summer schools, STEM workshops, as well as a dedicated outreach spaces.
1992
National growth
By 1992, over 60 organisations around the UK had adopted similar peer tutoring models, supported by national funding schemes such as CSV Learning Together. The scheme gained national attention, including praise in New Scientist.
1994
Global reach
Imperial students represented The Pimlico Connection at the COOL Conference in Boston, marking the start of its international presence at tutoring and mentoring conferences.
Late 1990s
New initiatives
By the late 1990s, the Pimlico Connection was central to Imperial’s widening participation efforts. Events such as the Introducing Higher Education schools conference and summer schools for Year 10 pupils were launched and became embedded in the work of the university. Pimlico Connection tutors and school pupils even connected with South African students via video link during the Makhanda Science Festivals.
2003
Imperial Volunteer Centre launches
The Imperial Volunteer Centre (IVC) was established and managed by Imperial's first Community Engagement Manager, Minna Ruohonen. The IVC harnessed the power of student volunteers within the community, and at its peak, thousands of student volunteering hours supported over 400 community organisations annually.
The Student Associates Scheme (SAS) began, offering paid teaching placements and formal accreditation to student tutors.
Citigroup funded annual bursaries for Pimlico Connection tutors facing financial hardship, making volunteering more accessible for a greater number of students.
The Brightside e-mentoring scheme also launched, by Dr Annalisa Alexander, connecting students with under-represented pupils online, a model still used today.
2004
Sector recognition
The Pimlico Connection won the Outstanding Project Award at the HEFCE Student Volunteering Awards. It was also featured in a Royal Society best-practice guide on role model schemes in higher education.
2005
Thirty years of Pimlico
The Pimlico Connection celebrated its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of impact on students, schools, and the wider outreach landscape.
2006
Art meets science
Art and science collaborations flourished, including the Chemistry and Art Summer School and Creative Quarter, blending STEM with creativity to engage new audiences.
2007
Research and communication
The INSPIRE PGCE programme launched and was delivered in collaboration with Canterbury Christ Church University. The scheme trained PhD and postdoctoral researchers as secondary school teachers through outreach work and school placements.
Complementing the Pimlico Connection, Imperial joined the Researchers in Residence programme which placed researchers in schools to inspire students and support science education in the classroom.
The RCSU Science Challenge was launched by previous Pimlico tutee Dr Jad Marrouche as President of Imperial's Royal College of Science Union. This annual competition encouraged school students and Imperial undergraduates to communicate science in an engaging, accessible, and fun way.
2008
Empowering students through experience
The MedEx course was launched by Professor Kevin Murphy, offering 16–17-year-olds a week-long insight into studying medicine at Imperial, a precursor to today’s Pathways to Medicine programme.
Imperial's summer programme expanded dramatically, including growing the Sutton Trust Summer Schools. Today coordinated by Cherelle Allen, these programmes provided significant opportunities for disadvantaged young people to explore STEM in a hands-on, supported environment.
2010
New STEM lab for students
The Wohl Reach Out Lab opened, a sector-first, purpose-built STEM lab for school students. Since then, over 46,500 pupils have taken part in hands-on science experiences at in the lab.
Outreach today
Since 2010, Imperial's outreach and engagement activities have continued to evolve, reflecting both the changing needs of young people and the wider educational landscape. Imperial has introduced a range of programmes aimed at supporting young people from underrepresented backgrounds, strengthening school partnerships, and offering professional development for teachers. Initiatives such as Pathways to Medicine, STEM Potential, and the Great Exhibition Road Festival have helped broaden access to science and higher education in a variety of ways.
In recent years, the Outreach team have expanded the reach of their work through a growing number of online programmes and targeted initiatives. Digital innovations have enabled Imperial to support more young people outside London, and locally focused initiatives such as the Homework Club and the Maths Transitions programme offer consistent support for pupils in the White City area. At the same time, initiatives have been developed to provide targeted support for some of our most underrepresented groups within the university, including STEM Futures for students from Black heritage backgrounds.
These activities reflect Imperial’s ongoing commitment to working with schools and community organisations to ensure young people have access to educational opportunities and are empowered to realise their aspirations.
Outreach today
2010 - 2025
2010
Opening doors
Working with Colleen Amos, Imperial hosted the first Amos Bursary student conference, supporting high-achieving young Black men in higher education. The Bursary has since expanded to support more young people of Black heritage, including women, through mentorship, professional development, and networking opportunities.
2012
Public engagement
The Great Exhibition Road Festival launched, opening Imperial to the public with interactive science exhibits.
2013
Reach Out CPD launches
Spearheaded by Professor Alan Spivey, Reach Out CPD launched, offering free science-focussed online professional development to primary school teachers in the UK. By August 2023, over 82,000 users from more than 28,000 schools had registered for Reach Out CPD.
2014
New sustained access programmes begin
Building on piloted activities, Dr Melanie Bortrill launched STEM Potential launched. Now coordinated by José Monteiro, the programme supports young people underrepresented in higher education through through multi-year engagement.
Pathways to Medicine began. This scheme was developed in partnership with the Sutton Trust and evolved from MedEx. The programme supports aspiring medical students to successfully access medical degrees, through mentoring, workshops, summer schools, and medical work experience.
2015
Strengthening school partnerships
The Westminster Academy Partnership began, and the Pimlico Connection marked its 40th anniversary with renewed effort to grow participation from within the student community at Imperial through collaboration with Imperial College Union and charity Schools Plus.
Funded by RCUK (now UKRI) the Reaching Further programme launched. The scheme linked Imperial researchers with teachers to bring cutting-edge science into classrooms and support CPD, reaching over 33,000 young people in London and the South East.
2016
The Reach Out Reporter is published
Coordinated by Dr Corinne Hanlon, The Reach Out Reporter (now Twig Science Reporter) launched in partnership with Twig Education, offering free, topical science news and resources for primary schools.
2017
Innovative new spaces open
Managed by Kate Mulcahy, The Dangoor Reach Out Makerspace opened, pioneering hands-on innovation and entrepreneurship for local young people. The space enabled the development of new innovative programmes, Maker Challenge and Proto-Maker Challenge, which empower secondary school students to design, prototype and pitch their own inventions using cutting-edge tools and mentorship.
2018
Tutoring expands
The Maths Homework Club was introduced by Dr Phil Ramsden at The Invention Rooms in White City. Working with local school and the charity Grenfell United. Homework Club was designed to support young people aged 13-16 from local schools with maths, aided by Imperial student tutors.
2019
Broadening STEM support
Imperial launched mA*ths Online, a programme offering tailored A-level support through online mentoring and in-person masterclasses.
The Be Inspired conference was hosted in collaboration with WCAN, this event welcomed females of Black heritage, aged 14–18, for a day of STEM exploration.
2020
A new era of outreach
Outreach and engagement work rapidly pivoted online during the COVID-19 lockdown, including virtual summer schools and shared resources across the HE sector.
Over 2,300 students attended the first STEM Futures webinars, marking a major milestone in digital outreach and Black heritage engagement.
Further mA*ths Online also launched, expanding Imperial’s digital support for A-level students.
2021
Expanding reach
Outreach continued online due to the pandemic.
The Pimlico Connection moved online and expanded its reach beyond London.
STEM Futures launched, supporting Black heritage students through STEM exploration and personal development workshops.
2023
Advancing STEM education
With David Lee at the helm as headteacher, Imperial Maths School, opened and welcome its first cohort of year 12 students. One of a new wave of specialist maths schools, the school is a collaboration between Imperial and the Frontier Learning Trust. Offering A-levels alongside Imperial supported lectures, mentoring, and research opportunities, the school also runs its own outreach, including Girls Into Maths and GCSE enrichment sessions.
Further digital programmes were launched to support attainment and engagement in STEM. The Accelerate programme, developed in collaboration with the Institute of Physics, was introduced to support underrepresented school pupils across the UK in their A-level Physics and Chemistry studies.
2024
New primary initative launches
The Maths Transitions programme launched, working with school in White City. The scheme supports local pupils from Year 5 through secondary school to strengthen maths foundations and reduce maths anxiety.
The Future
Outreach and engagement help shape futures. Over the past 50 years, Imperial’s outreach and engagement work has grown, evolved and adapted in response to both opportunities and challenges. We estimate that over 200,000 young people have taken part directly in our programmes and activities, and know that many millions more have engaged worldwide with our digital work.
Inspiring young people with the wonders of STEM, encouraging them to apply to Imperial and then supporting them when once they are here, is something we value greatly. Our latest strategy, Science for Humanity, opens with Imperial Inspires – our pledge to sparking the spirit of discovery early, engaging underrepresented young people, diversifying our student body and providing them with transformational scholarship opportunities. Our collaborative and innovative nature seen across the last 50 years will enable us to continue this important work.
We look forward to the next 50 years!
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