The Networking Forum for Women in Business

BWL News
Show All

 

Business women spent an “out of this world” evening when they went stargazing at a Lincoln academy.

After gathering in The Priory Academy LSST’s Newton Centre, Business Women’s Link (BWL) members and guests took their seats in the Cross O’Cliff Hill school’s planetarium and were swiftly transported light years away to their favourite planets and galaxies.

“Captain” Sam  Swaby (the school’s Senior IT Technician) adeptly answered everyone’s searching questions whilst using ground-breaking digital technology to take the party on a whistlestop tour of the universe.

The Priory is privileged to be the only secondary school in the UK to boast  a digital planetarium, which aims to encourage students and visitors to develop a lasting interest in the field of science.

Interestingly -  The Newton Centre, which opened in 2011 and which comprises state-of-the-art labs, the Gagarin Debating Chamber, a Sixth Form study room and the theatre-style planetarium, is one of just two space hubs which works closely with the National Space Centre in Leicester.

Mr Swaby said this fantastic facility came about after an LEA adviser rang the school to ask it if wanted to put in a bid for Faraday Project funding – a national initiative where the Government nominated a number of local authorities which, in turn, could put forward a county school to take part in a competitive process for a match-funded project.

“The aim of the programme was to provide capital funding for innovative and stimulating projects designed to raise the profile of science in the school and area,” said Mr Swaby.

The Priory was told that no other LEA community school or Science Specialist School wanted to bid. If The Priory wanted to go ahead it had to submit its bid by the next day. If this was approved, staff would have to give a full presentation, on a competitive basis, in London three days later.

“Despite the time frame, we put together a bid that was both innovative and exciting. It caught the imagination of the Department for Education and we were successful,” said Mr Swaby.

As a result, half of the funding (£750,000) was provided by the Faraday Project and half by The Priory.

Since its installation three years ago,  the facility has excited and enthused both Priory students and pupils visiting from local primary schools Mr Swaby added that The Priory worked with a company called Global Immersion (now known as Electrosonic) which advised staff how to set-up all the technical aspects of the planetarium.

The School  stayed within budget by procuring and installing many of the technical aspects of the Newton Centre in-house, with the help of the expert guidance.

Staff also installed a unique video wall in the Gagarin Debating Chamber, which creates a focal point for frequent talks held in the facility.

BWL Chair Jo Richardson said: “BWL has a growing membership and we are always striving to offer professional women a great blend of educational and social activities, with opportunities to network.

“Our visit to The Priory Academy certainly ticked all the boxes and I think many members and guests remained starstruck following the experience!”