School projects

We aim to support students at all levels of their development, providing funding to enable partnerships between schools and universities, to create new educational opportunities, and to enrich the curriculum.

Into University is a ground-breaking learning and welfare scheme for gifted and talented children and young people from Year 5 upwards, which provides them with a programme of carefully planned activities to build their confidence, motivation and self-esteem.

Based at the St Clement and St James Community Centre in Notting Hill, the scheme provided academic and pastoral support for more than 500 students in 2003/4, and the Sutton Trust are extremely pleased to be supporting the project again in partnership with the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation in 2005.

Activities include a new mentoring scheme for pupils in Year 9 and above, motivational assemblies and workshops in schools, an expanded study support scheme for pupils in Year 7 and above and Easter Holiday revision sessions for Years 9-13. Subject themed FOCUS Weeks give students the chance to experience university, and Go For It! days raise motivation and aspiration in 14 -16 year olds.

The young people involved have the chance to experience a range of different activities, depending on their year group and age, providing a continuous and varied service that keeps the students engaged.

This programme, which links state and independent schools in curricular and other projects, has developed enormously since the Sutton Trust first proposed supporting such partnerships to the Department for Education in 1997 and co-funded the first projects in 1998. In the last 6 years it has benefited from a considerable increase in funding, while the active involvement of a growing number of stakeholders signals the increasingly important role of partnerships in educational enrichment. The Sutton Trust continues to fund a number of these partnerships.

This ten week science club, co-funded by the Sutton Trust and the Ogden Trust, is a partnership between Durham High School for Girls and a cluster of primary schools in County Durham and the Education Action Zone of Easington & Peterlee. Aimed at gifted and talented Year 6 pupils, 2004 activities included six practical but enjoyable sessions, for example Making Fizz Bombs and Super Soap Bubbles, homework tasks such as ‘Dancing Spaghetti’, three sessions looking at the stars and the universe, and a trip to the Ogden Centre at Durham University to use the telescopes.

The pupils explored and developed their interest in science. The activities were aimed at encouraging learning in a fun and informal way, and developing their scientific skills within a laboratory environment. All the teachers involved widened their knowledge of key stages outside those in which they normally work, while Year 9 and 10 students from Durham High School also gained valuable experience working with adults in organising the activities and mentoring the younger pupils.

The pupils have demonstrated their enthusiasm for the project in their homework diaries. Both Trusts are pleased to be continuing to support this project in 2005, giving the opportunity for pupils from outside Durham City to take part.

"When I went to Science Sparks it was fab. I hope you enjoy Science Sparks as much as I did!"
Science Sparks student 2005

In 2002, the Sutton Trust joined Generation Science's 'Power of 10' Club, contributing towards the Disadvantaged Schools Initiative section of Generation Science's Scottish Schools Touring Programme. Generation Science feel that children are turned off science because of the way it is presented and this programme aims to change perceptions and generate a greater level of interest in the sciences among children aged 7 and upwards. It seeks to demonstrate how science reaches out beyond the laboratory into all aspects of daily life, using innovative scientific models and exciting presentation styles such as acrobatics.

Generation Science is extremely successful, reaching over 50,000 children in 2002 and over 60,000 children in 2003 at schools in 30 of the 32 education regions in Scotland. They plan to tour to between 60,000 and 80,000 children in 2004, rising to 120,000 in 2005/2006. In 2003 they are also touring their 'Bio-Bubble' - a giant inflatable cell - to schools across the UK. The Sutton Trust has recently become a founder member of the London branch, enabling touring in London in 2004, and possible expansion in 2005/2006.

Pate's This curriculum enrichment project helps gifted and talented primary children to achieve their educational potential. The project is centred on Pate's Grammar School in Cheltenham, and involves 130 children.

Specialist schools The Sutton Trust supports four schools a year in their bids for specialist school status. Successful schools will go on to become schools of distinction, sharing their facilities with the local community.

Useful links:
Independent State School Partnerships (ISSPs)
Ogden Trust
Education Action Zone
National Education Trust (NET)
www.advanced-learning-centres.org.uk
Teach First
Generation Science

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