Launch Day

Enthuse Project Launch. Friday 1st April 2022.

The STEM Enthuse Partnership Launch took place at Bourne Community College on Friday 1st April 2022.

The partnership involves a selection of local primary schools including, Funtington Primary School, Bosham Primary School, Westbourne Primary School, Southbourne Junior School and Chidham Parochial Primary School who visit Bourne Community College on a six week rotation, to take part in a STEM themed afternoon involving project-based learning and applying this learning across the curriculum.

The Enthuse Partnership inspires young people in STEM (science, technology including computing, engineering and mathematics) subjects and careers. They are groups of schools that work together to address local issues of low uptake or lack of interest in STEM subjects. The school model builds capacity and capability across all partner schools involved, whilst encouraging sustainable change. The Partnerships aim to deepen relationships with local employers, and utilise the wider package of support provided by STEM Learning. Whilst building on the STEM learning journey that Bourne Community College has implemented, through the transition from primary school to secondary school.

The launch consisted all 10 children from each school attending and completing six activities, which were run by STEM teachers and STEM ambassadors from Bourne Community College. They were joined by Ali Khan from STEM Innovation, Vanessa Gutowski-Smith and Steve Newman from Greenpower. Over the morning the children from the primary schools completed all six activities, this included paper planes, spaghetti towers, spin art machine, tesla coils, robot wars and green power pit stop.

The officially launch assembly was opened by Yvonne Watkins (Headteacher @ BCC), with a welcome, followed by Dene Ellis (Head of STEM @ BCC), explaining the partnership, Ajay Sharman (Regional Network Lead South East STEM Leaning) embedding the partnership and thanking everyone involved to make this happen, with the official opening of the partnership with a plaque presented by Gillian Keegan (MP for Chichester).

The atmosphere throughout the morning was of excitement, enjoyment, happy, positive, stimulating, creative and resourceful. Also in attendance was Claire Davies (Sussex SLP Lead), Scott Atkinson (Manager, Connecting STEM Teachers), Adrian Oldknow (STEM Ambassador, Emeritus of Maths, Chichester University), Shelia Legrave CBE, DL Further Education Commissioner for England and Wales and Margaret Eve (OBE, National Leader in Education).

The morning was a complete success, enjoyed by all in attendance.

Feedback from the Morning

“Hi Maz and Dene, Just wanted to say a massive thank you and well done for today, it was fab! My bunch absolutely loved it. So thanks again.” Miss Harwood Year 5 Teacher at Westbourne Primary School.

“Hi, the children have returned “buzzing” and the teacher who went returned equally enthused re the opportunities & facilities & set up, so THANK YOU SO MUCH for hosting, organizing and facilitating all. It’s made an impression on the 2chidhamites” who went for sure. And I’m sure the feedback from all will be as encouraging – we appreciate the time & energy that went into organizing all. Thanks again for a fabulous morning.” Mrs Thornton, Head at Chidham Parochial Primary School.

“My daughter Sophia had an awesome time today at the STEM fest! Thank you so much! The hall was buzzing at break time and so great to see so many year 11's representing the school and helping out.” Mrs Cluff Year 5 parent.

“Non-Stop action at Bourne Community College today! Great students and great organisation from Maz! Massive thank you for having me! I loved it! Also great lunch!” Ali Khan STEM Innovation.

"It was lovely to see such a range of creative activities engaging local primary schools and supported by Bourne’s own STEM Ambassadors, led by Kieran.

Particularly impressive were the BBC micro:bit driven radio-controlled robotic cars.

It was great to catch up with your STEM teachers’ team and the couple of trainees, as well as friends from STEM Learning, the Royal Academy of Engineering, Greenpower and Ali’s STEM Innovation. It was also very inspiring to hear the Chichester MP, Gillian Keegan, talk about her own educational background and love of engineering." Professor Adrian Oldknow

“Enjoying a brilliant STEM event @BourneCCollege with @GillianKeegan and @enthuseco who have sponsored links between local primaries. Inspiring the next generation of engineers @educationgovuk.” Shelia Legrave (Further Education Commissioner).