Values and Ethos
Space Studio West London delivers a bold new model for ‘Scientific and Mathematical Learning’ – a dynamic mix of high quality scientific education and industry-related activity that will equip young people with the skills and qualifications they need to succeed. The aim of the school is to ensure that young people are well equipped to become skilled technicians, operators, engineers, scientists, inventors and entrepreneurs in aerospace and space related industries.
Space Studio West London caters for 300 students aged 14-18 and specialises in Space, Aerospace, Science, Engineering and Maths. The school offers students the opportunity to work with local, national and international experts in these fields, as well as exciting employers such as: The National Space Centre, UK Space Agency, European Space Agency, and the aerospace industry around Heathrow.
There is huge potential in the UK space sector. Currently, the UK aerospace sector encompasses 17% of the global market, making it the largest aerospace industry in Europe and the second largest globally. The sector provides over 100,000 direct jobs and indirectly supports hundreds of thousands more across the UK. Space Studio West London is unique in combining high quality science and maths-based education to students of all abilities, whilst simultaneously equipping young people with a broad range of skills vital for the 21st century workplace.
Main Features of the School:
- A ‘small school’ of up to 300 students aged 14-18
- All Year 10 and 11 students follow the GCSE subjects on the English Baccalaureate, taught both as individual subjects and through transdisciplinary Project Based Learning
- All Year 12 and 13 students follow at least three mainstream A Level or Level 3 BTEC courses alongside real industry led project work assignments
- Many of the assignments/projects commissioned by companies/agencies
- Aspects of the curriculum developed and delivered by staff from the UK Space Agency, ESA and the National Space Academy programme
- Work based learning opportunities
- All students develop digital portfolios of their work and are expected to research, analyse, develop and present their findings on a regular basis
- The Studio School replicates a set of research buildings as opposed to a school
- All students have an academic and personal development tutor
- Space Studio operates 41 weeks of the year, with the school day lasting between 8:30am and 4:40pm (but doors will open at 7.00 am and close at 5.00 pm)
- Students at Space Studio have close links with, and regular visits from, the scientific research organisations and companies
- The Studio School is non-selective and open to students from anywhere
- The school is unique as the only Studio School in West London relating to aerospace technologies
- Based on the Rivers Academy West London Campus in Feltham, West London
- The 75 students of each year group drawn from the growing population in the area, from existing local secondary schools and from further afield