STEM Horizons, developed by The Hg Foundation with a range of partners, brings together independent and state schools to work together with over 3,000 students to improve aspirations to and grades in Computer Science GCSE. It promises to develop into one of the largest, most focused, and rigorously evaluated partnerships of its type in the UK.  It is targeted at Computer Science as an important pathway into tech careers, but also the subject with the greatest shortage of specialist teachers, especially in the poorest areas.

Find out more: STEM Horizons | Building tomorrow's tech leaders today

Dedicated Computer Science teachers, based in seven hub independent schools, work with 35 state schools with high proportions of students from low-income backgrounds to deliver a two-year programme of GCSE support. Provision totals almost 100 hours of activity and includes weekly lessons, Maths support and a range of enrichment. The National Foundation for Educational Research is conducting a robust, independent evaluation of the programme focused on improvements in the core outcome of GCSE attainment and the impact on education and career aspirations.

A complementary ‘Bright Sparks’ programme works with students aged 13/14 to support more young people in partner schools, especially girls, to choose computing GCSE.

The first strand of STEM Horizons began in autumn 2025 and is focused on Computing, as the subject with the greatest shortage of specialist teachers.  It is hoped in time that the programme could grow to support more state schools on Computer Science attainment, and in time in other STEM subjects too. The programme is supported by a steering committee of current and former headteachers from the state and independent sectors, as well as other advisors.