Research reveals three out of four schools lack long-term STEM industry links

Image courtesy AtkinsRéalis

The national shortage of school governors representing Science, Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) has fueled concerns that the skills gap in certain industry sectors may hamper economic growth. In the survey, this disconnect between schools and industry is shown as a key challenge for promoting STEM subjects in schools

New research by AtkinsRéalis and education charity Governors for Schools reveals a disconnect between industry and education, which could be hindering opportunities for the recruitment of STEM governors. Schools responding to the survey highlight the lack of time to facilitate engagements with business, or maintaining contact, as the biggest challenges to creating meaningful relationships.

In response a campaign has been launched calling on 25 UK businesses to commit to recruiting STEM subject governors for schools in 2025. It has already won support from businesses and organisations including Heathrow, the Royal Air Force and the National Grid, which has committed to placing STEM governors.

The ’25 for 25’ campaign calls on businesses to encourage employees to take up school governor roles in primary and secondary schools, to support Governors for Schools’ aim of appointing at least one STEM governor on the board of every school in the country.

AtkinsRéalis has been supporting Governors for Schools since 2022 and has placed 84 professionals as STEM governors in 142 schools. It is estimated these governors will impact a staggering 67,689 pupils this year alone.
In addition STEM Ambassadors will deliver at least 590 hours of curriculum projects in STEM Governors’ schools over the next twelve months.

Richard Robinson, President UK & Ireland at AtkinsRéalis said: “We are acutely aware of the importance of investing in skills for the future delivery of major infrastructure projects across the UK.

“As a global leader in engineering services, we have a duty to be proactive when it comes to engaging with young people in our schools: stronger links with industry could have a major impact in unlocking the potential of young people from across all backgrounds to thrive in this industry, and create more enthusiasm for careers in STEM – while at the same time creating social capital through greater access to STEM education.

“That is why we are working with Governors for Schools to launch the 25 for 25 campaign and recommend that more organisations sign up to this pledge to strengthen ties between industry and education and recruit more STEM governors to help shape a curriculum for the future needs of industry.”

Hannah Stolton, CEO at Governors for Schools, said: “Our STEM Governor programme offers a vital bridge between industry and education, enabling businesses to influence the skills agenda and support STEM learning opportunities.

“Connecting business with education has been at the heart of our charitable mission for the past 25 years, through strategically placing more than 40,000 volunteers on governing boards.

“With increased partnerships and support from STEM employers, we want to ensure all children and young people have the opportunity to pursue STEM careers.”

Key findings from the survey include:

• 50% say maintaining regular contact with industry partners is a challenge which can put additional pressure on already constrained school resources and budget
• 39% cited a lack of interest from industry as one of the challenges
• One in four schools said employers do not understand their school setting, preventing under-represented young people from achieving their potential
• 62% of schools in the survey don’t measure the impact of STEM industry partnerships missing vital opportunities for curriculum improvement
• Less than a fifth, 19%, say they get curriculum advice or co-development support from business
• Whilst 48% of schools have expressed interest in recruiting a STEM Governor, another 48% ‘aren’t sure’ if they need one, highlighting the importance of the toolkit in defining how and where STEM Governors can help drive school performance
• Schools rated their inclusion of STEM career preparation in strategic plans at an average of 5.5 out of 10

Aside from guest speakers and workshops the survey suggests there is little by way of curriculum advice available, with just 5% citing industry-led school governance as support.

Schools say this is fundamental as it is the role of governors to bring industry expertise into the teaching of STEM subjects, so it matches expectations of future employers in the sector. There are also real concerns among education leaders about a lack of curriculum advice or co-development in schools, where a STEM governor could be helping to bridge the gap between industry and education to improve the quality and relevance of teaching in these key subjects.

To counter some of these challenges a digital toolkit has been developed by AtkinsRéalis alongside education specialists**, to place greater accountability on school leadership by providing STEM governors with the expert guidance they need to ensure STEM is embedded at a strategic level – ultimately helping each setting achieve the Gatsby Benchmarks and prepare for national pilots like EqualEx and Start Small, Dream Big.

To find out more about the campaign and register interest, sign up for our upcoming online event: STEM Governor – Governors for Schools