Schools in Ipswich, Woodbridge and Framlingham set to have computing skills boosted by CityFibre partnership

More than half a dozen schools in Suffolk are set to boost STEM education over the next three years.

Telecommunications firm CityFibre has partnered with STEM Learning to help boost computing skills at seven schools in the county.

The firm has invested £150,000 to provide modules for 80 institutions in the UK as part of the Government’s Project Gigabit scheme, which aims to provide broadband speeds for hard-to-reach parts of the country.

The Computing Clusters module launches later this month, with the following schools set for a boost to their IT education:

► Claydon High School

► St Alban’s Catholic High School, Ipswich

► Thomas Mills High School & Sixth Form, Framlingham

► Woodbridge Primary School

► Melton Primary School

► Kyson Primary School, Woodbridge

All schools will be supported by professional development specialists on their mission to secure a Computing Quality Mark, accredited by the Department for Education-funded National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE).

CityFibre is working to connect 1.3 million people through its share of Project Gigabit.

Stacey King, senior partnership manager at CityFibre, said: “We believe in the power of technology and education to transform lives, and, with this partnership, we aim to help these schools in Suffolk bridge the digital skills gap and help inspire the next generation of digital innovators to pursue a career in STEM.

"Our Project Gigabit build in Suffolk is progressing fantastically and we are delighted to be engaging with these local schools through the launch of the Computing Clusters.”

Earlier this year, CityFibre announced a partnership with Explorify to provide resources to Key Stage One and Two pupils to help them consider a future in STEM.

A report from the Institute of Mechanical Engineers estimates there will be a shortage of one million engineers by 2030, which could threaten major infrastructure projects.

CityFibre hoped its partnership with STEM learning would help break down barriers for children looking to enter the sector.

Verity Mawdsley from Kyson Primary School said the school was keen to take part as it wished to continue to work with schools in Woodbridge in a more formal way.

She added: “It was great meeting teachers from the secondary schools and there was a real buzz in our first meeting when we shared our priorities and challenged each other on our thinking about transition between KS2 and KS3.

“Transition is a big and important area, so it feels exciting to be starting with this module and planning for a deliberate and focused computing journey for all our young people."