a new way of learning – a new way of teaching – a new school
Principal Designate I am delighted to welcome you to Space Studio Banbury and tell you why this is such an exciting opportunity. Our world and the space beyond has fascinated and inspired humans from the very beginning. Space Studio Banbury is the first UK school dedicated to exploring the Earth from space, and space itself, from Earth. The space industry is rapidly expanding and we want our students to be part of this exciting new frontier of industry, either actively designing spacecraft for industry and tourism, or to be the scientists who are analysing and building the technology of the future. The Banbury area is ideally suited for this stateof-the-art school; the European Space Agency has its first UK centre at the nearby Harwell Campus, joining other facilities that are recognised the world over as centres of excellence. The space studio will develop the problem solving skills that the industry needs in its employees, and alongside the core curriculum of Maths, Science and English, our students will be able to study subjects that specifically lend themselves to careers in this new frontier.
Our students will be confident and engaged learners who will take a lead in the future of our industry, from setting up their own businesses to moving onto the very best of university courses and into work. The curriculum is designed to engage through learning by doing. The majority of time is spent on projects proposed by industry and developed by the highest quality teachers. The projects will be centred on the industries in which students will be working, including Earth observation, satellite design and manufacture, and deep space instrumentation. The school has been designed to replicate the modern work place, with open classrooms, a unique large Inspiration Training Facility for visiting speakers from industry, as well as simulation and exercise facilities to encourage a healthy body as well as mind. We value a full and open relationship with our students and parents, so please ask us questions about the school to reassure yourself that this is exactly the right school for you. I look forward to meeting you. Mike Grocott
Space Studio Banbury
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What is a Studio School? Studio schools are new state schools for 14 –18 year olds that have a specific curriculum focus. Space Studio Banbury specialises in space and the related science and engineering industries, through a curriculum following the STEM subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. It also has a focus on Computer Science allowing the students to develop the ever important IT and coding skills needed for the modern world. Studio schools are smaller than most state schools and at Banbury we will ensure our class sizes are small and focused, allowing all students the support they need to achieve their aspirations with a full school of 300 pupils. The main curriculum is delivered through Project Based Learning (PBL) following the CREATE framework. This practical, yet academically focused approach, allows wider skills to be developed to help young people onto future pathways.
Space Studio Banbury
02/03
Curriculum Subjects and Learning An advantage of being part of a studio school is the personalised curriculum to support the students’ strengths. Space Studio Banbury has developed a curriculum to ensure that our students are equipped for following careers within the industry. The content will be delivered through the use of tablet and mobile devices, allowing students to build digital portfolios, ensuring access at home to enable the personalisation of the work through the use of ibooks and e-learning portals. Key Stage 4 The school day at Space Studio Banbury is different to that of most schools, as we teach in longer blocks, allowing greater depth of work to be undertaken without the need to change classes. Although the blocks of time are longer, students are given the responsibility to take a short break when they feel appropriate within the learning block. This reflects the workplace ethos of trusting, rather than telling, people when to take a break. The Sixth Form Post 16 students will spend two days a week in a work placement or involved in work-related activity. The remaining three days will consist of four learning blocks of time, three lasting for 2 hours and one lasting for 1 hour 20 minutes. Within each day there is no designated ‘rest’ time and students may take a break to visit the ‘Cafe’ or just get some fresh air.
In the middle of the day is a 30 minute lunch period and the daily PREP (personal review and planning ) session. KS4 and post-16 students have separate lunch periods. The Space Studio Banbury day starts at 8.30 am and ends at 5.00 pm. The doors to the school open at 7.30 am and close at 7.30 pm, allowing students to work in the Learning Centre, use the gym or ‘Cafe’ outside of normal school hours.
What is Project Based Learning? Project Based Learning (PBL) is a dynamic approach to education where students undertake an extended inquiry into a complex and real-world problem. Academically rigorous projects require students to learn the content in greater depth whilst acquiring vital ‘21st Century’ skills. Knowledge is developed not through learning-by-rote, but through collaborative exploration of an authentic problem, one that ‘real people’ in ‘real industries’ care about and are themselves trying to solve. Why PBL? Through working collaboratively on meaningful, creative and rigorous projects students produce beautiful work that fosters pride in their achievements and raises their aspirations. Evidence from the best education systems in the world has demonstrated that PBL not only has a positive effect on students’ content knowledge but also collaborative skills, engagement and motivation, critical thinking and problem-solving ability. How will Projects work at Space Studio Banbury? Space Studio Banbury will be at the forefront of international educational practice in the PBL approach. Students will work with local, national and international experts in the space related industry along with high performance engineering, biotechnology and medical instruments industries on projects commissioned by organisations. From a new advertising campaign for a business to collecting and reporting data on highly technical issues, we challenge students to work in co-designed or commissioned real-world projects that will help develop the next generation of engineers, scientists and mathematicians.
Mentoring Studio schools have small class sizes, and each student has Learning Coaches (teachers) for Projects and subject teaching, and, uniquely, a Personal Coach. The Personal Coach knows the young person well, having an overview of their learning, work experience and career aspirations. They act as the focal link between home, the school and the workplace. Enhancement Students will have the opportunity to use state of the art equipment throughout the world, using robotics telescopes in Hawaii, Australia and La Palma. Robotics and the development of practical programming will also be one of the many extra-curricular clubs on offer. Due to the length of the working day, Space Studio Banbury will be able to develop its links with colleges throughout America, through video conferencing, building on the Global Perspectives course all students follow. Students will be encouraged to compete at the highest level in the many annual national competitions run by industry, as gaining success builds self-confidence and develops the skills needed in the modern workplace.
Space Studio Banbury
04/05
Supporters The European Space Agency Educational Resource Office fully supports Space Studio Banbury, giving it access to many leaders in observational and research aspects of the industry. Additional support comes from the UK Space Agency, National Space Academy and the Science and Technology Facilities Council.
Pathways Potential careers: • Research Scientist • Satellite Development • Entrepreneur • Software Development • Biochemistry • Quantum Engineer • Physicist • Materials Engineer Did you know that:
The space industry means that your career is ‘out of this world’ from investigating the physics at the centre of a collapsing star, to developing the instruments that will search for life on other planets. Space can take you anywhere. You could find yourself working in Africa on water purifying systems, developed for recycling water on the International Space Station, or diving in the deepest oceans looking for similarities between Earth and the suspected waters below the surface of Europa, working as part of the team supporting ESA’s next mission to Europa Jupiter Icy Moon Explorer (JUICE), due to launch in 2022.
• If you study engineering, physics or chemistry as your first degree, you're almost 90% likely to be in either full-time employment or further study three years later. The average across all graduates is just above 80%.1 • According to the recent Engineering UK 2012 report the UK is going to need two million more workers with skills in science, engineering and technology over the next five to 10 years.2 • Immediately after graduation, students who studied physics start on a wage on average between 14% and 18% more than the average graduate.3 1 Higher Education Statistics Agency - Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Longitudinal Survey 2 The Independent - The UK is crying out for technology and science graduates 3 IOP-The Careers Path of Physics Graduates - A Longitudinal Study 2006-2010, Institute of Physics (2012)
Space Studio Banbury
06/07
Mike Grocott Principal Designate Mike is a National Space Academy Lead Educator and founder of Callington Space Centre, which he led for 12 years. He is an outstanding teacher of science specialising in physics. He also has a role as the Southern Counties representative for ESA’s ESERO office. Mike has taught in South Africa as a Gatsby fellow as well as presenting for the past four years at the Space Explorers Education Conference at Space Centre Houston.
The Aspirations Academies Trust The Aspirations Academies Trust (AAT) in England is a charitable organisation operating in association with the Quaglia Institute for Student Aspirations (QISA) and Aspirations Unlimited International (AUI). AAT academies benefit from QISA’s remarkable record of more than 30 years of research and experience working with students, educators and schools. All Aspirations Academies are committed to raising students’ aspirations so that all young people reach their full potential and achieve the success they want for themselves. Each academy challenges its students and staff to perform at their highest level within a creative culture of positivity, innovation and enthusiasm for success.
Space Studio Banbury
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Banbury Aspirations Campus, Ruskin Road, Banbury, OX16 9HY Tel: 01295 225201 Fax: 01295 277682 Email: spacestudiobanbury@aspirationsacademies.org www.spacestudiobanbury.org