More than 700 students from state schools have improved their A-level grades and secured university placements, including at prestigious institutions like Cambridge and Oxford, due to a Cambridge University initiative. The STEM SMART program, launched in 2021, aims to address educational disparities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic by offering free tutoring in STEM subjects.
Over 360 students saw their grades improve by an average of one grade across subjects like maths, physics, and chemistry. "We’re providing top-quality support through subject-specific tuition and resources, mentoring, and encouragement," stated Physics Lecturer and Co-Director of the STEM SMART program, Prof Lisa Jardine-Wright. The initiative has also resulted in 80 students securing places at Oxbridge.
First-year Natural Sciences student Jasmine Covell shared her experience, stating: "I joined the STEM SMART course just thinking it would support me getting good grades... it really helped challenge me." Samuel Iranloye, an engineering undergraduate, reflected on his experience, saying: "The extra tuition also helped consolidate the learning in school."
The program, which has welcomed 6,500 students over four years, targets students from disadvantaged backgrounds who traditionally receive fewer top grades. Prof Bhaskar Vira, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education at the University of Cambridge, remarked: "STEM SMART is benefitting the UK as a whole – through the boost it is providing for STEM industries and innovation."
Dr Michael Sutherland, Co-Director of STEM SMART, highlighted the program's growth and demand, noting that it "is unique in terms of its scale and approach."
The initiative is integrated with the Isaac Physics online platform and is free for students due to various funding sources, including donations and support from the University, The Ogden Trust, and Raspberry Pi.