A new secondary school specialising in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) has officially opened its doors in Keynsham, Bristol. The school, named IKB Studio School, is set to inspire and equip the next generation with the skills to invent, design and build the future.
“I am confident history will show that IKB has made a valuable contribution to the STEM professions on a national and world scale”
To mark the official opening of the school, several special guests and inspiring speakers were in attendance – including the Vice Chancellor of the University of Bath, Professor Dame Glynis Breakwell (pictured top), the chair of Bath & North East Somerset Council Ian Gilchrist, the government’s regional schools commissioner Rebecca Clark and associate professor at the University of the West of England Praminda Caleb-Solly.
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Led by those with a great passion for STEM subjects, there are high hopes for the future of the school and its students. Chris Trout, chair of governors at IKB Academy, says: “I am confident history will show that IKB has made a valuable contribution to the STEM professions on a national and world scale”. Chris even remarks that perhaps in 50 years’ time the academy would be renamed after a student who had achieved as much success as Isambard Kingdom Brunel!
The future of tech in education
Andrea Arlidge, Chief Executive of the Wellsway Multi Academy Trust (WMAT) of which the IKB Academy is a part of, says one of the trust’s missions was to encourage more young women into science, technology, engineering and maths so it was fitting to have two female speakers at the event.
“This is the culmination of a vision to develop a really different type of school here in this part of the West of England”
“This is a proud moment,” she exclaims. “It is the culmination of a vision to develop a really different type of school here in this part of the West of England; a school that specialises in STEM, working closely with local businesses, industries and higher education so that young people have the opportunity to follow their interests and passions in a real world context in subjects that are so important for our economy.”
Combining education and industry
The academy, alongside Wellsway School, opened last September with 65 students and will eventually take up to 300 14 to 18-year-olds, who follow an academic or vocational curriculum to equip them with the skills, experience and qualifications they will need for their future education and working lives.
“Studying engineering, maths and product design, along with a work placement at BMT Group, has opened my eyes to new opportunities”
A unique feature is the links with employers; younger students do a day’s work experience every fortnight and sixth-formers a day a week. The school is fostering strong relationships with major local workplaces including Buro Happold, Kier, Arup, Hartwell Jaguar, Atkins and the Ministry of Defence.
New opportunities: IKB student Curtis chats to guests at the school’s official opening
Sixth-form student Curtis Grainger (pictured above) is full of praise for the new school. He speaks about his hopes of a career in motorsports technology and says that studying engineering, maths and product design, along with a work placement at BMT Group, has opened his eyes to new opportunities.
IKB students have the benefit of smaller classes, as well as a coaching and mentoring programme to help them to fulfil their potential.
The aim is to give students the edge when they are competing for the best places to follow their aspirations, whether that’s at university or a higher-level apprenticeship.
Demand is high, but IKB still has a few places in Year 10 and Year 12 this September. Student transport can be arranged from other areas, including Mangotsfield, Kingswood, Longwell Green and the Chew Valley. To find out more, visit www.ikbstudioschool.org.uk or come to one of the information evenings on May 18 and July 6 at 6.30pm.
