New STEM sixth form academy to welcome prospective students at open day
Stem Academy Principal Designate John O'Shea
STEM Academy Sixth Form, which opens in East London’s Tech City this September, will hold an open day for prospective students at Google’s headquarters in Soho on 22 February.
The new school for 16- to19-year-olds is to offer a unique academic and vocational opportunity for students with a passion in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) from Hackney and across the city.
It is due to welcome its first 216 students in September 2013, with this figure set to rise to 432 for the 2014 intake.
The new principal of the non-fee paying, state funded academy has been announced in recent days as John O’Shea, current head of the ‘outstanding’ rated Islington Sixth Form Consortium (IC6).
O’Shea has particular interest in the teaching of STEM subjects, having previously worked as a Head of Science and spending over a decade teaching A-level biology.
He said of his appointment: “Having worked with some of the country’s leading post-16 engineering, science and technology departments, I have seen first-hand how STEM subjects can engage and excite young people.
“What’s more, these subjects now offer amongst the very best employment opportunities for students. Tech City already represents one of the fastest growing and burgeoning areas of London and I’m confident that our students will thrive from being at the heart of it.”
Chair of Governors Dennis Quilter added: “John’s combination of experience in education, particularly among sixth forms in London, coupled with his own science background, makes him the perfect choice to take STEM Academy forward.”
The school will focus on helping young people gain places at top rated universities or, alternatively, to enter directly into the workplace or entrepreneurship.
Although the main emphasis will be on STEM related subjects, the school will also offer students the option of studying a broader curriculum, including modern languages and English language at A-Level.
The open day will also see a welcome speech from Shuvo Saha, Industry Director of Google UK and a talk about the importance of STEM subjects from Dr Tony Sewell, Director of Generating Genius, one of the academy’s partners.
Anyone interested in attending STEM Academy Sixth Form’s open day can register via the website at
or call 0208 603 7221 or 0208 902 9474, ext 203.