Education secretary approves Dyson STEAM donation

This funding, provided by the Dyson Foundation, paves the way for the expansion of Malmesbury Primary School in Wiltshire, a key stipulation of the donation.

The proposed development includes specially designed rooms for a variety of subjects including design, technology, art, science, and mathematics, alongside additional classrooms. With planning permission from Wiltshire Council pending, the centre is anticipated to open its doors to students in September 2027.

In a related move, the Prime Minister has unveiled a ten-year strategy, the Advanced British Standard, aimed at enhancing the skills of the youth. Central to this plan is a requirement for all English students to study maths until the age of 18, a step forward in ingraining essential numeracy skills and fostering STEM proficiency. This initiative is integral to the government's vision of cultivating a world-class education system, fuelling economic growth, and meeting the skill demands of industry.

Recent reforms have already elevated the standard of maths education in England, evidenced by the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) study. In this study, England surpassed the international average in maths, ranking 11th globally in 2022.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan remarked: "I welcome this generous donation from the Dyson Foundation which will support cutting edge education for local pupils, helping to develop the scientists and engineers of the future.

"This new centre will provide world-class facilities for pupils in Malmesbury and the surrounding areas to inspire them and develop the skills we need to compete on the world stage."

The £6 million donation is part of the government’s broader strategy to increase engagement in STEM subjects in schools, apprenticeships, and further education, thereby fostering growth and opportunities in these crucial sectors.

To bolster STEM skill development, the Department runs initiatives like the Stimulating Physics Network, along with maths hubs and £30,000 scholarships to promote STEM subject teaching. Tax-free bursaries for design and technology trainee teachers have been increased to £25,000 from £20,000 for the academic year 2023/24.

New T Level qualifications are being introduced in fields like engineering and manufacturing. Furthermore, 21 Institutes of Technology are being established to offer high-level STEM training in collaboration with industry.

The government is also enhancing apprenticeship opportunities in STEM fields. Over 365 high-quality apprenticeships have been developed in sectors like Construction, Digital, Engineering and Manufacturing, and Health and Science.

Additionally, specialist maths schools are being set up across the country to offer exceptional maths and STEM opportunities to talented young people from diverse backgrounds. Seven schools are already operational in Exeter, Cambridge, Leeds, and London (Imperial College), with four more scheduled to open in other parts of England.

The department collaborates with other government departments via the UK Science & Technology Framework to ensure talent and skills are available for critical technologies.