The mission of the specialist Engineering schools is to promote an educational culture that is technological, vocational and international. There will be a strong emphasis on the development of links with engineering employers (large and small), university engineering departments, and professional bodies, in order that young people gain a good understanding of the range of opportunity in the engineering sector.
In addition to teaching the National Curriculum, specialist Engineering schools will provide pupils with the opportunity and encouragement to study and experience all aspects of engineering. The colleges will focus, in particular, on mathematics, science and design and technology; the establishment of a sound foundation on which the relevant technical skills can be built.
The Benefits of Sponsorship
There are many advantages for an organisation choosing to sponsor a specialist school. These include:
Leverage of additional government funding
For every £1 invested in a school, the Government provides, for an average-sized school, an additional £12. This means that a school achieving its £50,000 target will receive a total sum of £650,000, all of which will go to improve the teaching of skills to support engineering.
Beneficial partnerships
Sponsor organisations can, if they wish, develop long-term relationships with their schools and involve their employees in a range of activities: the appointment of governors to the school governing body; careers advice and information sessions; employee volunteering; work experience placements/work shadowing opportunities; leadership mentoring. And there are many more.
Enhanced profile
Actively supporting a high-profile government initiative provides an excellent opportunity for the demonstration of good corporate citizenship. The Trust has a dedicated marketing and PR team, ready to take advantage of media opportunities you might wish to pursue.
Community involvement
Sponsoring specialist schools gives your organisation the opportunity to put something back into the community and, in the case of specialist engineering schools, the sector itself. Above all else, the development of young engineers is key to our future as a nation.
Schools looking for sponsorship
The following schools are still looking for funding, for amounts which range from £10,000 to £35,000.
The SSAT Development Team would be delighted to provide you with more information and, if appropriate, to arrange for you to visit an established specialist engineering school, to experience first-hand the benefits of specialist status.
For further information, please contact Marta Montague on Tel:020 7802 0926. E-mail: martam@ssatrust.org.uk
Warwick School for Boys, Walthamstow, London
South Chadderton School, Oldham, Lancashire
Walney School, Barrow in Furness, Cumbria
Bushey Hall School, Bushey, Hertfordshire
Barrs Hill School and Community College, Coventry
Jarrow School, South Tyneside
St Patrick's RC Comprehensive, Stockton on Tees
Orleton Park School, Telford & Wrekin
Havelock School, Grimsby, North East Lincoln
Bradfield School, Sheffield
EEF supports the specialist schools initiative and urges employers to consider supporting these schools in their bids to bring engineering into education.
9 February 2006