Oxford High School welcomes Year 5s for STEM event

On Tuesday, October 15, Oxford High School hosted Year 5 pupils from St Francis Primary School and St John Fisher Primary School, both in Oxford, as part of its Junior Engineering, Maths and Science (JEMS) outreach programme.

The JEMS initiative, created and led by science teacher Maria Whittington, has been running for 12 years.

Oxford High School's JEMS outreach programme (Image: Ed Nix) Oxford High School's JEMS outreach programme (Image: Ed Nix) The pupils took part in a morning full of practical experiments and activities.

They mixed and measured solutions, used stethoscopes to investigate the effects of exercise on heart rate, identified body organs, and built towers that would not collapse.

Oxford High School said: "The interactive nature of the activities provided an unforgettable learning experience for all involved."

A year 5 pupil added: "It was really fun to work with new people and find out how science connects to things we do every day. I feel like I could become a scientist one day."

The JEMS programme is designed to benefit not just the visiting pupils, but also the students at Oxford High School.

Oxford High School's JEMS outreach programme (Image: Ed Nix) Oxford High School's JEMS outreach programme (Image: Ed Nix) By teaching others, they were able to consolidate their own understanding of the topics, while also honing their leadership and communication skills.

The event also allowed the Year 5 pupils to explore areas beyond their regular curriculum.

Marina Gardiner Legge, head of Oxford High School, said: "We are proud to see the enthusiasm and curiosity sparked by our JEMS outreach programme.

"It's wonderful to witness these young minds engage with science in a hands-on way and we hope this experience encourages them to continue exploring the world of science, engineering, technology, and maths in the years to come."

Oxford High School's JEMS outreach programme (Image: Ed Nix) Oxford High School's JEMS outreach programme (Image: Ed Nix) The school added: "The success of the JEMS outreach programme underscores the importance of collaboration and community engagement at Oxford High School.

"By providing opportunities for mentorship and practical learning, Oxford High School continues to make a positive impact on the wider community and inspire young minds to pursue their passion for science."

Oxford High School, which teaches girls aged four to 19, is part of the Girls' Day School Trust network and aims to create an environment where "lifelong friendships and a passion for learning flourish".

Over the summer, 52 per cent of GCSEs awarded to its pupils were Grade 9s, while 73 per cent were either Grade 8 or 9.

It said as part of the Girls' Day School Trust network, "we provide a dynamic and nurturing environment for young women to thrive".