Our impact

Group of girls building a circuit board

Making a difference

Keep up to date with our latest news, case studies, grants and impact.
February 19, 2023

The Spectris Foundation Partners with STEM Learning

The Spectris Foundation have awarded a grant to ENTHUSE Charitable Trust!

A £100,000 has been awarded to ENTHUSE Charitable Trust to deliver five new Stem Learning partnerships across the UK. Over the next two years we aim to support 200 teachers and 22,500 students, making a positive and long-term impact to STEM education where it is most needed.

ENTHUSE Partnerships, run by STEM Learning through Project ENTHUSE, brings schools and colleges together to work collaboratively, to develop an intensive two-year programme to raise aspiration and achievement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Each partnership works with a group of six-to-ten schools and colleges, providing access to continuing professional development, free resources, immersion in industry or university through teacher placements, STEM Ambassadors and enrichment activities.

The five new partnerships will be based in Malvern, Dundee, Crowborough, Chapel-en-le-Frith and Royston, will reach up to 50 schools. Our foundation will fund £20,000 for each partnership to support teacher professional development and raise engagement and achievement in STEM subjects, especially those from disadvantaged groups. This tailor-made project aims to inspire excellence in schools, and raise aspirations of the students and teachers.

Children in a classroom

In supporting an ENTHUSE Partnership, the Spectris Foundation joins organisations from across the charitable and business world, including such diverse names as ASDA, GSK, Goldman Sachs, Jacobs and the Vertex Foundation.

Anna Gawthorp, Strategic Partnership Lead at the National STEM Learning Centre, said:

“I am delighted to welcome the Spectris Foundation to join our ENTHUSE Partnership supporters. The Partnership will help STEM Learning’s mission to change the lives of thousands of young people, nurturing future talent for crucial STEM skills.”

This two year project will enable more young people, from all backgrounds, to progress in their STEM education, with more students entering high-value STEM-related careers as a result. By doing so, STEM Learning improves social mobility and the life chances of some of the UK’s most vulnerable young people.

The Spectris Foundation have awarded a grant to ENTHUSE Charitable Trust!Read more

May 30, 2023

The Spectris Foundation speaks at the Lightyear Foundation’s SEN in STEM Network’s Round Table

The network works to empower the SEN (Special Educational Needs) in STEM and aims to make STEM more accessible for people living with a disability. The event took place at The Royal Observatory in Greenwich.

Rebecca Levy, The Spectris Foundation’s Director, was joined by Dominique Sleet, from the Royal Academy of Engineering, Tom Mansell and Anna Hoddinott from the John Lyon’s Charity, and Christina Fuentes Tibbitt from the British Science Association to discuss accessible projects in STEM. The speakers shared their advice and experience on the grant-making application process and ongoing management of grants.

“It was such a brilliant experience to talk at the Royal Observatory and meet inspiring people who use science as a tool of learning and engagement for people with Special Educational Needs. The Spectris Foundation have project partners who are working to improve attainment in science for students with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND). We aim to develop progressive, skills-based, practical learning in STEM education – which is accessible for all. This event highlighted the importance of creative learning in the sciences, and I’m excited to see the outcome of these charities innovative projects!

I was asked to describe what accessibility, inclusivity and diversity mean to The Spectris Foundation. For us, it means togetherness, opportunities and skill. We are proud of be a funder of STEM education and even prouder to be providing grants which are making STEM inclusive and possible.” – Rebecca Levy, The Spectris Foundation Director.

Following the talks there was a range of questions from the attendees and fruitful discussions on the beneficiaries of SEN in STEM projects. David Jones from the Life Science Centre spoke to the importance of parents participation and inclusion in SEN projects. He explained how powerful it can be for parents to feel empowered in science and see the positive impact it is having on their child.

If you would like to find out more about The Spectris Foundation’s grants, please see our apply for funding page.

The Spectris Foundation were asked to speak at the Lightyear Foundation’s Special Educations Needs (SEN) in STEM Network; a central forum of 220 members who are influential in breaking down barriers to STEM. Read more

Our Impact Report

Read about our achievements in 2022 through our Impact Report.