For schools

For hub schools

The benefits of being a hub school

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Participate in a national and impactful innovative independent-state school partnership designed to address an urgent national problem

Many respected organisations, including the Department for Education, have highlighted the pressing need to encourage students from low-income backgrounds to apply for jobs in growth areas of the tech sector. Independent-state school partnerships are uniquely placed to provide practical and scalable solutions.

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Work with a committed and expert community of partners

Not only is The Hg Foundation committed to developing a programme which will impact the numbers of low-income students and girls developing a deep interest in STEM subjects, but it is also committed to building a community of learning involving schools, training providers, non-profits and tech businesses.

The total is greater than the sum of the parts

Many partnerships are small in scale; therefore, providing meaningful impact assessments is difficult. This programme is being evaluated by the respected NFER and has sufficient scale to measure impact. Individual schools will benefit from being an integral element of the programme.

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Scale and approach aids fund-raising

Schools report that a strength of this programme - addressing a pressing national economic need, supported as it is by the Foundation and being independently impact assessed - brings significant benefits when approaching alumni and parents for possible matched funding.

Share expertise with schools that need it most

An average of 83% of students in hub schools achieved an A or above at GCSE Computer Science, compared to 26% nationally.

Engage sixth form students as mentors, developing their leadership skills

Peer and near-peer mentoring is a key component of the programme, benefiting both mentors and mentees and the wider school community.

Contribute to a scalable model with potential to transform STEM education nationally

Learning from the Computer Science pilot, the programme aims to grow STEM Horizons into other areas and subjects.

Hub school requirements

Hub schools are selected because they can demonstrate:

A commitment to, and enthusiasm for, the social mobility principles which underpin the programme

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A willingness to develop partnerships with 5 local schools that have a higher than national average number of students on free school meals

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A commitment to promoting the programme

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A willingness to offer in-kind support from senior leaders and relevant academic staff, including hosting in-person enrichment days and providing facilities for collaborative learning

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Support for the development of curriculum materials and resources

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Engagement of sixth form Computer Science students as peer mentors

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Collaboration with partner state schools through formal Memorandums of Understanding

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Participation in programme evaluation and data collection

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Hosting of a Computer Science teacher - employed by the school but funded by STEM Horizons - to lead activities with partner schools

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A willingness to approach alumni and parents who could augment the grants made by the Foundation, as the programme develops

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For partner schools

The STEM Horizons offer

Expert teaching from specialist Computer Science teachers

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Approximately 100 hours of targeted support per student over years 10 and 11

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Peer mentoring from sixth form students (approximately 40 homework club sessions)

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Weekly seminar-style catch-ups led by specialist teachers (30-40 sessions)

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Short courses in Computer Science-relevant mathematics (5 sessions)

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Enrichment activities including industry webinars and university visits (6 sessions)

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Access to the Year 8/9 Bright Sparks programme for younger students

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Partner school eligibility

Above average deprivation levels (measured by Free School Meals rates)

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A shortage of specialist Computer Science teachers

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A named Computing link teacher to coordinate with the hub school

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Commitment to collecting data for programme evaluation

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Register your interest

Interested in becoming part of this initiative?
complete our form here

Current Participating Schools

Norwich School logo featuring a crest with a lion and a unicorn, and the motto 'Faciam Virtutis Honores' above the name 'Norwich School'.
Oundle School crest featuring a shield, a helmet, and a crest with a lion, along with the Latin motto 'God Grant Grace.' The text 'Oundle School' is below the crest.
Bede Academy logo with green and white shield and the school's name in black text.
The RGS Newcastle logo featuring a shield with a castle, two horse heads, a lion, and three fleurs-de-lis, with the text 'RGS Newcastle' beside it.
UCS Hampstead logo with a circular emblem containing a tree and the words 'Parallel Curriculum'
Logo of Northern Education Trust with purple background and white text
Taverham High School logo with three stylized figures and the text "Taverham High School, An 11-18 Academy."
City Academy Norwich logo with black background and white text
Logo of Consett Academy featuring a stylized blue and gray tree with the text 'CONSETT ACADEMY' underneath
A coat of arms featuring an eagle with spread wings perched above a shield with a red cross on a white field. A ribbon below the shield displays the Latin motto 'NEMO SE IUSSIT'.
Logo for Flegg High, Ormiston Academy with stylized blue cattails, a wave, and two birds.
Logo of Ormiston Venture Academy with three star symbols in red, purple, and yellow above the name.
A heraldic shield with three green fleurs-de-lis at the top, black and white diamond patterns with black insect symbols, a ribbon with the Latin phrase 'SICUT LILIUM', and decorative scrolls on the sides.
Logo of Laidlaw Schools Trust with a stylized triangular symbol.
Logo of Ormiston Victory Academy featuring an abstract open book or wings design in black, yellow, and white colors with the school name beneath.
St. Bede's Catholic School and Byron Sixth Form College logo with a shield featuring an open book, a cross, and a coat of arms in green, yellow, and purple colors.