12/03/2007
Launch of £5m investment in After School Clubs to offer extra curricular inspiration.

Over 200 schools from across England will launch a £5 million initiative, funded by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) , to develop After School Science and Engineering Clubs. By late Spring the number of Clubs will have grown to 250.

Aimed at 11 to 14 year olds, the Pilot will provide £17,000 over two years to each of the 250 schools to inspire pupils and expand their knowledge of science, technology, engineering and maths outside of the classroom. One particular unique feature of these Clubs lies in the fact that they will benefit from collaborative leadership and input from the science, mathematics and design and technology departments in the schools.

The Pilot is being delivered and managed through a consortium of partners, led by SETNET (the Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics Network) and including:

-The British Association for the Advancement of Science

-The network of Science Learning Centres

-Ecsite-uk (the national network of science centres and museums)

-The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust

-The Association for Science Education

Announcing the launch of the Clubs, Minister for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education, Bill Rammell said:

"The launch of the Key Stage 3 Science and Engineering Clubs will benefit up to 5,000 students. The Clubs will open young minds to the excitement that scientific knowledge can offer and to the opportunities that studying these subjects can bring. The Clubs will combine science, maths and design and technology.

"£17,000 is available to each of the 250 schools over two years. This shows the importance the Government places on the promotion of science in schools and the role it must play helping young people take up high value, rewarding careers.

"A strong supply of scientists, engineers, and technologists is essential for our future competitiveness. It is crucial that young people are inspired to study science at an early age. The Government has made it a high priority to deliver the best in science teaching and learning at every stage. We have set new targets to increase the number of young people taking A levels in physics, chemistry and mathematics. The Clubs we are announcing today will offer a range of engaging and stretching activity aimed at enriching young people in the wonders of science."

The Clubs will also provide a clear route for business and industry to support science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning.

Speaking today at Seven Kings High School in Ilford which is piloting one of the clubs, Science and Innovation Minister Malcolm Wicks said:

"After school science clubs like this will play an important role in helping to inspire our young people to be the scientists of tomorrow.

"We face important challenges today such as climate change and competing in the global environment. The importance of science and innovation to our economy and the wider world cannot be over-estimated. The UK needs a strong supply of scientists to tackle these challenges and secure our future prosperity."

Pat Langford, National Programme Director at SETNET said:

"These After School Clubs present an ideal opportunity for business and industry to engage directly with their employees of the future.

"UK companies often talk about a worrying decline in the number of people with science and engineering skills, so we are going to be talking to members of the business community about the many ways in which they can support and get involved with the Clubs.

"For example, SETNET runs the successful Science and Engineering Ambassadors programme (SEAs) where thousands of STEM-qualified professionals volunteer their expertise and time to support curriculum enrichment activities. SEAs will be working with the Clubs in schools, and we would very much welcome even greater involvement from these kinds of role models."