IN February, Thornton College hosted its annual STEM evening, when more than 300 delegates attended, with more than 250 students from nine different schools across MK and Bucks.
The event showcased the fantastic STEM career opportunities available on our doorstep in Milton Keynes, with 19 companies including AECOM, Network Rail, Malcolm Hollis, Unilever, Renault Sport Racing, HMGCC, PwC, Tesla and Racing Point F1 Team, discussing with students their industries and varied employment and apprenticeship options.
As Higher Education continues to evolve, it is particularly appropriate that Lynette Ryals OBE, CEO of MK:U, opened the event with a presentation on the local technology sector and exciting plans for MK:U a new, ground-breaking university for Milton Keynes, with a focus on STEM subjects. Its vision is to deliver a curriculum for the digital economy, specifically addressing the employment needs of organisations in the 21st Century.
Lynette said: “This is really what we think is the future so it’s great to see so many companies here sharing their opportunities for STEM based careers. We looking forward to working with Thornton College and other schools in the area.”
MK is the fastest growing start-up economy in the UK, and Thornton is the only girls’ independent school in MK – less than 23 per cent of women enter STEM careers worldwide.
Thornton School is proud of its commitment to give students form MK and Buckinghamshire access to events to inspire and stimulate interest in the science and technology sectors. Students in attendance clearly enjoyed the evening, with Ben saying: “It’s a brilliant evening – I’ve only been here 20 minutes and I’ve already got two contacts for work experience” and a Thornton College student adding: “It’s a really helpful evening because you have to have good contacts to get to where you want to be so this is a really good starting point to building those contacts”.
Students also got to enjoy the Tesla Meet the Model X Experience which was very popular.
Val Holmes, Head Teacher at Thornton College, said: “Thornton is delighted to be hosting another STEM event for our students and for local schools. We cannot emphasise enough how important it is for young people today to be forward thinking and to make the all- important links with industry, which can lead to a successful future”.
Jo Scott, Enterprise and Careers Leader at Thornton College said: “Our aim is to provide a platform for employers, young people and educational providers to develop invaluable partnerships. We are thrilled that students from nine local schools joined us at this year’s event to learn more about the exciting opportunities available locally in Milton Keynes.”Thornton College is an independent boarding and day school for girls and is situated between Milton Keynes and Buckingham. It is the most successful non-selective school in the area and educates girls aged 3 to 18 years. Thornton currently has around 430 students including international borders.
For further details about Thornton College, contact Jennifer Walker, Development and Marketing Director on 01280 812610 or email