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Thank you for visiting the School Gate SET  blog!

We are an online network for parents, teachers and other interested in science and technology for primary children.  Read on to find out how you can help your child’s school by doing something you love or even just by publicising School Gate SET.

Our aim is to see more parents with experience in science, technology or engineering acting as embedded STEM Ambassadors in primary schools, supporting teachers, sharing their love of science and tech, and gaining useful skills and experience, especially if they are looking to go back to work or progress in their current role.

Not you?  Please read on and share via facebook, twitter or just over a mug of coffee.  We know that the best way to reach people is word of mouth.

Why do we need School Gate SET?  Surely parents with time during the school day can just go and offer to help?  We have found that many parents really don’t know what to offer and many teachers don’t really know what to ask for.  However, we have also found a number of parents who have developed a good long term relationship supporting their school in STEM and they are happy to be our School Gate SET Mentors.  The advice on the website, facebook and twitter is available to all – no need to register.

We are currently looking for 15 volunteers linked to 10 or more schools to take part in our pilot project funded by the IET and IMechE. The parents can decide how much time they can give and then discuss with the teachers what they can offer – all we ask is that they commit to developing and ongoing relationship with the school giving at least an hour a week . 

So what sort of things could you find yourself doing?  How about:

-       Setting up and running an one hour activity for British Science Week in March for your child’s class?

-       Helping run the after school science club once a week?

-       Looking after the equipment used in technology lessons throughout the school?

-       Helping the Design and Technology Coordinator plan working with external groups such as Primary Engineer and Young Engineers, or bring guest STEM Ambassadors to the school to give practical demonstrations?

-       Setting up a Saturday coding club for children and parents?

-       Advising the school on achieving the Primary Science Quality Mark?

The most important thing is that you enjoy using your skills and experience, and that the school (and therefore the children) can benefit from them.  Just get in touch and we will help you choose what to start with and guide you through the resources and opportunities available.  We can give on-going mentoring advice and support – we’ve been there so we know what the challenges are!

Interested?  Please email schoolgateset@gmail.com and we’ll get things up and running for you as soon as we can.