Bourne Education Trust is thrilled to announce it has been shortlisted for the 'Learning Programme of the Year' in the Museums + Heritage Awards 2023, for the 'Brooklands Innovation Academy'; a learning programme created in partnership with Brooklands Museum.
The annual Museums + Heritage Awards celebrate the very best in the world of museums, galleries, and cultural and heritage visitor attractions, with the winners being announced on 10th May 2023. Brooklands Museum and the Trust have been shortlisted alongside The National Archives, Historic Royal Palaces, Roman Baths, and Old Royal Naval College, for the Learning Without Borders collaboration.
Learning Without Borders is a strategy that focuses on creating opportunities beyond the curriculum and classroom. It aims to give students better life outcomes and connect schools with their local areas, creating more opportunities for students and breaking the cycle of under-achievement in disadvantaged communities.
Brooklands Museum and BET founded Brooklands Innovation Academy in 2021 as part of a national, Science Summer School programme, co-founded by Professor Brian Cox CBE FRS and Lord Andrew Mawson, to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. The inaugural event in November 2022 was a resounding success with more than 400 students taking part in 21 different workshops and speaking events.
Tamalie Newbery, Director, and CEO of Brooklands Museum said: 'These are the most high-profile awards in the museum sector, and this acknowledgement for how innovative our learning offer is gives much-deserved recognition for our work on Brooklands Innovation Academy and the schools programme.
The rethinking of our learning programme started in the midst of COVID knowing that it would be so important to realising our vision, 'Inspiring people to shape the future, through Brooklands' history of innovation and endeavour'. What we have built since then, in partnership with Bourne Education Trust, is truly remarkable and the Brooklands Innovation Academy is, of course, the most high-profile element of that.'
Penny Alford, Chief Education Officer at Bourne Education Trust, said: 'We are absolutely thrilled to be nominated for this award which celebrates our partnership with Brooklands Museum. We are so proud to be part of this shared STEM work, which has such an impact both on our students and families, and the wider community of schools that take part.'
The partnership between Brooklands Museum and BET began in the spring of 2020. Bourne Education Trust knows that pupil premium students need more than academic results to stand out. Brooklands Museum understands that helping students discover their innovative and entrepreneurial potential takes more than a one-off visit. A conversation between the two CEOs highlighted how much the two organisations could achieve for the young people of Surrey, in collaboration - making Brooklands Museum a place where students can learn by doing, building employability and confidence.
From January 2022 a BET teacher was seconded to Brooklands Museum for one day per week, identifying previously unconsidered ways Brooklands' history and collection could unlock students' potential. The secondment enabled faster-paced, creative development of Brooklands' learning programme, and the opportunity to test ideas with students and teachers.
Later, in the summer of 2022, Brooklands Innovation Academy was launched as a thriving hub that connects young people aged 11-18 with scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians from leading businesses. Against a historic backdrop renowned for innovation and world firsts in engineering and design, Brooklands Innovation Academy creates inspirational STEM experiences for young people. It works together with companies that are trying to solve the problems the world faces today - to inspire and show young people how they could become future scientists, engineers, and mathematicians - addressing the skills shortage in this country and ensuring Britain is at the forefront of STEM developments.
Brooklands Innovation Academy is returning this year with a loaded, hands-on programme, supported by Haleon, McLaren, Airbus, and Balfour Beatty, amongst many others, culminating with the annual event, featuring expert and guest speakers, including Professor Brian Cox CB FRS.