Shortlisted for 2018 TES Awards

We are delighted to have been shortlisted for the 2018 TES Schools Awards.  The College has been nominated for the prestigious science, technology and engineering teacher or team of the year award due to the magnificent work of the STEM department at Ardingly.

Lessons reach far beyond prescribed learning, broadening the intellectual horizons and empowering pupils with transferable life skills. Industry, universities and research establishments are brought right into the heart of science teaching at Ardingly College. This is achieved through many activities including: The Medical Society, the Observatory, the Ardingly Solar Car and various  academic enrichment programmes including extending links with Oxbridge and Russell Group universities.

Dr Andrew Spiers MBE, Director of Science and Team Leader of the Ardingly Solar Project is thrilled with the nomination:

“I could never have dreamt we would be where we are now with the Ardingly Solar Project. The enthusiasm, energy and tenacity of the students here is breath-taking.  It gives me great pride to watch the pupils learn every day and see their confidence grow.”

Of teaching at Ardingly College, Dr Spiers said:  “It is most fulfilling to develop young minds and see the scientists, medics and engineers of the future grow and become the citizens of tomorrow. Showing these young people the wonderful opportunities that exist in the outside world is very rewarding and, most importantly, we try to give every student at Ardingly College an inner desire to make a positive difference to society.”

Prince Albert II of Monaco, Patron of the Solar Car Project added his best wishes:

“I wish the Solar Car team every success in the design, build and race of the new car, following Ardingly College’s successful participation in the 2015 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in Australia.”

According to Ashley Bradshaw, current Student Leader of the Ardingly Solar Project, “working on the Solar Car has helped me in everyday life as I need to present my ideas clearly in order to convince the team of the direction I wish us to pursue. Learning how to physically build a machine brings so many skills, including how to modify the components we are using for the car. We are really building it!”

The editor of the Tes, Ann Mroz, commented on the strength of this year’s nominations: “It is wonderful to see such innovative ideas and best-practice emerging from our schools, teachers and pupils. We had a record year for entries and the standard was the best so far – all those shortlisted should be very proud: it’s an extraordinary achievement.”

The winners will be revealed at the TES’s gala awards evening at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London on Friday 22 June 2018.