The Hg Foundation is developing a new initiative to bring together independent and state schools to work together with over 1,000 students to improve grades in Computer Science GCSE.  It promises to develop into one of the largest, most focussed, and rigorously evaluated partnerships of its type in the UK.

Through STEM Horizons, dedicated Computer Science teachers, based in five hub independent schools, will work with ~25 state schools with high proportions of students from low income backgrounds to deliver a two year programme of support.  Provision will total almost 100 hours of activity and include weekly hybrid lessons, peer mentoring, academic seminars, maths support and a range of enrichment activities.    The National Foundation for Education Research will conduct a robust, independent evaluation of the programme focussed on improvements in the core outcome of GCSE attainment, and also looking at the impact on education and career aspirations.

A complementary ‘Bright Sparks’ programme will work with year 9 students (age 13/14) to support more young people in partner schools, especially girls, to choose computing GCSE.

The first strand of STEM Horizons will begin in schools in September 2025 and is focussed on Computing, as the subject with the greatest shortage of specialist teachers.  It is hoped in time that the programme could grow to support attainment in other STEM subjects and into further and higher education.  The programme is supported by a steering committee of current and former headteachers from the state and independent sectors.