Liverpool school pupils with a passion for maths and computing will be able to access financial support and extra mentoring thanks to a significant investment by the Liverpool-born tech entrepreneur, Dr Steve Garnett.
In partnership with the University of Liverpool Maths School (ULMaS), the Garnett Academy will provide support to more than 1000 young people who want to start their journey to an exciting career in science, computing and technology sector but face personal or financial challenges.
The investment will support an outreach programme for Year 7 -11 maths pupils in Liverpool with a focus on assisting schools and pupils in disadvantaged areas.
The outreach programme will provide:
- Mentoring to help students achieve the best possible GCSE results and prepare them for advanced study at A-Level and beyond.
- Online sessions to develop mathematical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Special STEM Saturday sessions offering face to face sessions with ULMaS staff and students to give a taste of ULMaS and the university experience.
- Rewards for participation and success, including prizes and financial rewards for motivation.
- Support for students who are unable to participate fully in the programme due to financial hardship.
In addition, a Garnett Scholars programme will be created to support 20 disadvantaged Year 12 students attending ULMaS and will provide:
- Additional intensive academic support.
- Mentoring and personal development to help students achieve the A Level grades needed to attend top universities.
- Support towards costs associated with technology equipment, travel costs including visits to university open days and educational trips to CERN in Switzerland.
- Support identifying and applying for internships plus careers advice and mentoring via technology industry networks.
Born and raised in Fazakerley, Dr Steve Garnett is a successful tech entrepreneur whose own love of maths helped him build his successful career in the technology sector.
Opened in 2020, the University of Liverpool Mathematics School offers a world-leading maths education for talented young mathematicians from all backgrounds in the Merseyside region.
Damian Haigh, Headteacher at ULMaS, said: We are extremely grateful to Dr Steve Garnett and his family for this generous support for maths education in the region.
“Through these programmes we will be able to help hundreds of pupils in the region and encourage them to pursue further study beyond GCSEs in maths, physics and computer science.
“Through the Garnett Scholars programme here at the Maths School, we can find and help even more talented pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds across the city to fulfil their ambition to study Maths at a higher level and hopefully continue on to fulfilling careers in science, technology, computing or mathematics.”
Steve Garnett said: “The exciting careers and wealth creation of the future will be based on technology. Mathematics provides the solid foundation for all of this. My aim is to ensure young people from Liverpool who have a passion, drive and talent for maths are supported and mentored so they can go onto A-level and higher education. This remains our best silver bullet for social mobility.”
Steve visited the Maths School to meet with students supported through the Garnett Scholars programme