Kilmarnock Academy gain STEM recognition from Education Scotland

The STEM Nation Award was developed by Education Scotland to celebrate, promote and build on effective practice in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths Education. Science Teacher Louise McAdam led the school’s submission, which demonstrated the exceptional work taking place within all five elements of the award - Leadership in STEM; family and community learning; employability and STEM partnership working; STEM curriculum and learner pathways, and equity and equality in STEM.

This work includes the delivery of science clubs during lunchtime and after-school including Lego club, CAD/CAM club, train club and maths problem solving club. Each club providing the opportunity for leadership roles for senior pupils. The school has also been awarded a Metmark Award for the quality of weather and climate teaching from the Met Office and the Royal Metrological Society and last year ran a number of fun science transition events for P7’s including a STEM fair for young people and their families, which was attended by colleges, universities and industry leaders.

The school has also worked closely with Ayrshire College and the Prince’s Trust delivering vocational courses and has also worked with local businesses including Collins Aerospace and GSK to help prepare our young people for the world of work.

Councillor Elaine Cowan, Spokesperson for Education, and Children and Young People said: “Kilmarnock Academy is the first school in East Ayrshire to be awarded all five elements of the STEM Nation Award and Lorraine Ross from Education Scotland dropped into the school recently to present them with their award.

“The evidence presented to Education Scotland demonstrate three years of extensive development work by the Science Faculty and the whole school community. The impact of STEM within Kilmarnock Academy for both practitioners and our children and young people is significant and the opportunities available to all young people is really impressive.”

Head Teacher David Rose said: “It is a real honour to be presented with the STEM Nation Award by Education Scotland. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Science Faculty and the wider school community for all their hard work, and Mrs McAdam for driving and coordinating the submission to Education Scotland.

“While the award is recognition of the wide range of STEM activity taking place within the school and it will now open up doors of opportunity to international partnerships, which is a really exciting prospect.”