London’s Tech City will play host to a brand new sixth-form academy specialising in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM), the first of its kind in the capital.
The new academy known as STEM6 will open its doors in September 2013, if all planning permission is granted and funding arrangements are made. A site has already been secured on City Road, which will be filled with a range of high tech IT equipment for the students’ use.
It is hoped that the academy will attract students keen to develop knowledge and skills in STEM subjects.
This is particularly important as Tech City has a shortage of individuals with strong engineering skills, so the academy aims to improve the situation. STEM6 intends to take on 216 students this September. This number is set to double by 2014.
A principal has already been selected for the school’s opening; John O’Shea will be the head of the academy.
Speaking of his appointment, he said: “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. To start a 6th form college in an area where the demand is so high, but also to do it all from scratch is truly exciting.
“The City is crying out for programmers. It’s crying out for people that can just do basic java, and currently post 16 provisions are not meeting that need. That is exactly the sort of niches we will pick up.
“It’s my vision to make it the most outstanding sixth-form college in the country.”
STEM6 held an open day on 22 February at Google’s Headquarters in Soho to introduce the academy and discuss the significance of improving talents in STEM subjects. All 140 places were quickly filled up, indicating a high level of interest.
Talks were given by the future principal, as well as by Shuvo Saha, the Industry Director of Google UK, and Dr Tony Sewell, the founder and director of Generating Genius, who will work in partnership with the academy.
STEM6 Governor Virginie Ramond said: “STEM is important in terms of getting the UK economy back on its feet, but also because we know how difficult it is for young people to get jobs these days.
“Both in the UK and abroad we are becoming a more scientific and technology based economy, so we are equipping young people with the skills that will lead to strong careers in the future.”
STEM6 will be holding an open day on 27 March for anyone interested in teaching opportunities at the college.
