Rochester Grammar School is to benefit from £5,000 to boost science education after winning a community competition for schools in Medway, Maidstone and Tonbridge and Malling.
The announcement was made during a visit to the school’s STEM club, when education mascot Langdon the Lion and members of the education team visited to present a cheque.
Clare Brinklow, Principal of the school said: “We were very pleased to welcome Langdon the Lion to our STEM club, and to receive this money towards our science, technology, engineering and maths provision. Thank you very much to the Rochester Bridge Trust for its support, and to everyone who voted for us – this all makes a difference to the students and we are sure it will help inspire many future civil engineers.”
Organised by the Rochester Bridge Trust, the competition to nominate which school should win the award attracted 5,077 votes from the public, with Rochester Grammar School’s 1,041 securing it the top place. In second and third place came Fort Pitt Grammar School and Cornwallis Academy with 740 and 421 votes respectively.
Caroline Chisholm, Education Manager at the Rochester Bridge Trust, explained: “As the custodians of Rochester Bridge for more than 600 years, we are acutely aware of the crucial part civil engineering plays in safeguarding the country’s infrastructure. Through our STEM education programme and range of engineering scholarships the Trust is keen to inspire young people to consider civil engineering as a future career.
“Congratulations to Rochester Grammar School on gaining so much support from the public and winning the competition, which was open to state secondary schools, colleges and academies in the qualifying area.
“For those schools who were unsuccessful this time, don’t forget there’s still time for students to apply for a scholarship, which benefits both the school at time of application, and the successful pupils.”
The closing date to apply for a scholarship is 8 April, with both the Harriott and Telford scholarships available for students planning to study A-levels in maths and physics and/or design and technology. Students intending to study for the IB Diploma are also eligible, but must be taking a higher-level maths course. For more information visit www.rbt.org.uk/scholarships