A new multi-year programme to strengthen STEM enrichment in schools
A new initiative from EUK Education, delivered in partnership with the City & Guilds Foundation, is set to support 15 state funded secondary schools across England. It aims to build high quality, sustained STEM engagement for students as they progress from year 7 to 11.
STEM Journeys marks a significant shift away from one-off enrichment activities towards long-term, embedded programmes. It helps young people develop the skills, confidence and aspirations they need to pursue STEM pathways.
Designed as a 5-year bursary programme, it offers structured support to help schools build a meaningful, multi-touchpoint STEM offer. Each participating school receives funding, expert guidance, hands-on teaching resources and employer engagement opportunities, ensuring activities are tailored to local needs and reflective of real labour market opportunities.
We are committed to removing longstanding barriers that prevent young people – particularly from groups underrepresented in STEM – from accessing regular, inspiring STEM experiences.
Amanda Aldercotte, Head of Evaluation and Impact at EngineeringUK, explains, “We want to support schools in offering all their students access to meaningful, sustained STEM experiences that support their aspirations and future career.
“By targeting diverse demographics, we will be able to reach students from disadvantaged backgrounds and those groups typically underrepresented in the engineering and technology sector. In the long term we hope this will improve their access to high-demand STEM careers with higher salaries and increase opportunities for career progression and meaningful employment.”
Evidence shows that sustained exposure to STEM has a significant impact on young people’s aspirations and future career choices. Through STEM Journeys, students will:
- experience STEM in different formats across several years
- meet and learn from engineers and technologists
- connect STEM subjects to real-world challenges and careers
- build key skills such as teamwork, creativity and problem-solving
- develop clearer awareness of pathways into engineering, technology and related fields
The programme also aligns with the Gatsby Benchmarks and supports schools to meet Provider Access Legislation, ensuring strong links between STEM learning, careers education and local industry partnerships. This coherent approach aims to help students make informed decisions about their futures, and feel motivated and prepared to pursue post 16 STEM pathways.
As STEM Journeys progresses, EUK Education and the City & Guilds Foundation will evaluate the impact of this sustained engagement model. This evaluation will generate valuable insights into how multi-year STEM programming shapes students’ confidence, aspirations and long-term outcomes.
Schools involved in the programme will be part of this ongoing research, helping build a stronger national evidence base for what works in STEM engagement.
We want to support schools in offering all their students access to meaningful, sustained STEM experiences that support their aspirations and future career
— Amanda Aldercotte, Head of Evaluation and Impact at EngineeringUK
