Wyvern Academy celebrates after being awarded the grant from the Wolfson Foundation

The Wolfson Foundation is an independent charity with a focus on research and education. Its aim is to support civil society by investing in excellent projects in science, health, heritage, humanities and the arts.

Wyvern Academy, which had to go through a rigorous application process to be awarded the grant, will now be able to upgrade the level of technology available to students, as well as install air conditioning in the classrooms.

Teachers hope that the new equipment will inspire as many students as possible to consider a career in science, technology, engineering, art or maths (STEAM).

  Around 70% of the students at Wyvern opt for more practical routes after they leave the school at age 16, and the academy is keen to give them access to industry-standard technology that will equip them to enter apprenticeships.

  The school also hopes to increase the numbers of students opting to take Computer Science at GCSE or Vocational ICT.

Now, having been awarded this £70k grant from the Wolfson Foundation, the school is able to invest in: 

• 30 virtual reality headsets
• 30 iPads
• 30 personal computers
• Interactive classroom displays
• Laser cutters for the Design and Technology Department
• Speakers and amplifiers for the Music Department
• Exam reader pens
• Lego robotic kits
• Air conditioning throughout classrooms in the school

Head of Department and Lead Teacher of Vocational Learning at Wyvern Academy, Dan Marshall, who applied for the funding, said: 

“I would like to thank the Wolfson Foundation for choosing to award us £70k in this funding round.

“The opportunities that this will give our students are limitless, from virtual field trips to digital animation and brand new high-spec classroom computers.

“We are overjoyed to have received this funding, which will go a long way in supporting our students' learning and development.”

About the Wolfson Foundation

The Wolfson Foundation is an independent charity with a focus on research and education. Its aim is to support civil society by investing in excellent projects in science, health, heritage, humanities and the arts.

Since it was established in 1955, some £1 billion (£2 billion in real terms) has been awarded to more than 14,000 projects throughout the UK, all on the basis of expert review.