We’re looking into how schools are introducing and expanding provision in certain areas of study to keep ahead in a changing world
AI
Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate tell us how they are harnessing AI
Artificial Intelligence is here to stay. Schools cannot afford to ignore it and, indeed, are doing students a disservice if they do not properly discuss and agree their fundamental approach to its use. Academic Director at Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate, Kevin Oldershaw, believes it’s vital for schools to have a clear approach to the use of AI.
“At QE, our approach has been to see AI as a tool to enhance and support learners and teachers. Why wouldn’t we? It is already so embedded in daily life, and in use in a range of careers, we feel obligated to increase student exposure to its potential. They will be entering a very different employment landscape from even 10 years ago, and we owe it to them to prepare them as best we can for their futures.
“Our new AI policy outlines to staff not only how AI can be used by teachers, leaders and support staff, but also how this must be done in a responsible way, considering ethics, data privacy and bias. The same message has been repeated to students in a series of age-appropriate assemblies. For younger students, the approach has been to work with teachers using AI as a class; for older ones, the focus is on encouraging experimentation with how AI can help them, in a controlled and managed environment.”
Appreciating the importance of the need to keep up to date with this rapidly developing area and to ensure that AI is seen as a tool for people to use, not to fear, we created and recruited to a new role of Head of Cognitive Science. As an experienced teacher within Creative Media and enthusiastic user of technology, Jason Sharma-Pay has supported us in further developing our digital strategy to better understand how human creativity, empathy, emotional intelligence and capacity for critical thought can ensure artificial intelligence works in collaboration with human decision-making to enhance, rather than replace, the importance of the person.
To find out more about studying at QE or to book a visit to see for yourself email admissions@qe.org, book the next Open Day on Saturday 7 June or visit qe.org
STEM
The Granville School is proud to offer girls a rich and engaging STEM education
Statistics from the latest labour market data shows that more than 1 million more STEM jobs were created over the last 7 years. However, the representation of women remains low, with women in the UK being only 29% of the UK STEM workforce.
Schools play a crucial role in closing this gap. Research shows that girls attending all-girls’ schools are 40% more likely to apply for engineering degrees and 50% have worked in STEM fields, compared to just 8% of women in the wider STEM workforce. At The Granville School, a girls-only environment from Reception, we champion STEM through a forward-thinking curriculum, expert teaching, and rich hands-on experiences. Engineering now takes a more prominent place in our science curriculum, taught by specialists with degrees in microbiology and engineering.
STEM starts early. In Pre-School, children explore engineering principles using large wooden blocks to build walkways and structures. Problem-solving continues into Key Stage 2, where a refurbished lab supports project-based learning. Pupils design and test their own inventions, gaining independence, resilience and teamwork skills. In Year 6, girls competed in the F1 in Schools regional finals winning awards for their design portfolio, pit display and team identity.
Computing is also embedded from Pre-School. By Year 1, girls create digital art, code robots, and explore 3D modelling. From Year 3, they take part in the BEBRAS Challenge – this year, 11 girls achieved Gold, placing them in the top 10% nationally. They build webpages using HTML and CSS by Year 4, develop interactive apps with JavaScript in Year 5, and use Python in Year 6 to generate digital art, explore AI and Machine Learning, and complete the iDEA Awards. In addition, Year 6 girls extend their Maths learning through a dedicated business and finance module. STEM workshops take place regularly and their recent careers fair had female speakers from STEM industries.
Find out more at granvilleschool.org
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