SATRO Maths Challenge 2016

SATRO hosted its annual Maths Challenge across two dates at George Abbot School, Guildford on 25^th February and 3^rd March 2016. This after-school event is aimed at sixth form students from schools around Surrey and neighbouring counties, and challenges them to tackle mathematical problems, including concepts taught at A-Level, as well as ideas which the students might expect to meet should they continue to study maths at degree level.

In addition to the Challenge element, the students were treated to talks from staff at Unum on how studying maths at university can be an excellent choice for a career, explaining that there is far more to maths than meets the eye!

The event was sponsored by Unum, Ernest Cook Trust, Surrey County Councillor Keith Taylor and The Community Foundation for Surrey in partnership with Electronic Arts. Susan Sanderson, spokesperson for Unum, had this to say:

“It was an honour to be asked to support SATRO with their annual Maths Challenge for the third year running.  Education and supporting the development of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) and employability skills of young people within our local communities is a core element of Unum’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme. Our actuaries really enjoyed the opportunity to speak to the students about their journey from University to Unum and we hope their presentation gave them some valuable insights into where a degree in maths could take them.”

 

The highest scoring teams from the two evenings were the Sutton Grammar School for Boys, Sutton and Tiffin School, Kingston.

83% of students who attended the event said they were more interested in studying maths at a high level as a result of participating; 93% said they had increased their understanding of how maths might be useful in a career. 

Less than 20% of students continue the study of mathematics beyond the age of 16. This comes at a time when findings from the Economic & Social Research Council report that at age 14 students today have less mathematical understanding than in the 1970s.

SATRO MENTORING PROGRAMME RECIEVES NATIONAL QUALITY AWARD

NATIONAL QUALITY AWARD FOR MENTORING PROGRAMME IN SURREY SCHOOLS

SATRO, who are based on the Surrey Research Park in Guildford, has been awarded the prestigious Approved Provider Standard. This is the national quality award designed for mentoring and befriending projects awarded by the Mentoring & Befriending Foundation, who are part of National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO).

“The mentor programme has been in operation for 16 years and this year has over 150 students in schools throughout Surrey working with mentors. We bring together companies looking to support their local communities with schools in their area. Company employees volunteer to be mentors to young people working with them to build confidence, develop employability skills and help them achieve their potential. We are delighted that current sponsors of the programme include Guildford-based Allianz (working with Kings college, Guildford), Dorking-based Unum (working with students at Therfield School, Leatherhead), Kingswood-based Legal & General (working with The Beacon School, Banstead), Reigate & Banstead Borough Council (Oakwood School, Horley), Tandridge Borough Council (Oxted School), Just Retirement (Reigate School), Partnership (St Bedes School, Redhill) Sutton & East Surrey Water (The Warwick School, Redhill), Cisco (Thamesmead School, Shepperton). We would also like to thank The Persula Foundation for their support of our application”  quoted Liz Edwardes, SATRO Mentor Programme Manager. 

Dr Beccy Bowden, CEO of SATRO said “We are delighted that we have achieved the national quality standard for our programme. It reflects the commitment of all participants and demonstrates the high standard of all elements of the programme. To be able to demonstrate that we have this Award brings added confidence to our existing sponsors and gives us a platform from which we can extend our reach to support more young people in the south east.”

SATRO ATTENDING UNUM REPORT LAUNCH AT HOUSE OF COMMONS

Unum are hosting a reception at the House of Commons to launch their report ‘ Making a Difference in Our Communities’ which highlights their extensive Corporate Social Responsibility programme. SATRO members of staff Jules Hall and Dr Beccy Bowden will be attending.  Unum say ‘we believe that helping our communities is a natural extension of the commitment we make each and every day to our customer. The launch of this report is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the charities, educators, voluntary organisations, sportspeople and performers who have inspired us locally and nationally’. Unum sponsor the SATRO Maths Challenge and also a mentoring programme at Therfield School which they support with many volunteers. Beccy Bowden said ‘Unum is an absolute pleasure for a small charity like us to work with because they care about what we do as much as we care – and that means that together we can achieve fantastic things!’

Why engage with schools? Corporate Social Responsibility - Lucy Miguda

Many companies use SATRO to help them meet their CSR targets by enabling them to engage with their local schools.  In the press we read constantly about employers concern about not being able to find the right kind of staff and students nowadays do not have the problem solving skills or ability to “think outside the box”.  Many of the programmes we run are designed to address these issues and more.  SATRO is an outstandingly effective educational charity which has been working with young people across the south east of England for 30 years and in that time has worked with over 450,000 young people.  We provide real-life experience of the working world particularly in Business, Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.

We inspire and enthuse young people about their future careers by giving them practical engagement opportunities with the working world throughout their time at school.  We offer bespoke packages to help you meet your CSR requirements for employee engagement:

·         Mentoring programmes

·         One day school events

·         High profile sponsorship opportunities

Last year, our business volunteers contributed 13,831 hours and 100% felt supported by SATRO and they would also volunteer again!  By partnering with SATRO you will be helping bridge the skills gap between education and business whilst engaging your employees.  We can help you:

Raise your community profile

Enhance employee skills

Increase job satisfaction

Attract the next generation of employees

Promote your brand through sponsorship

We provide meaningful data on the impact of your corporate community engagement.  We provide measurable outcomes to demonstrate the difference and impact your engagement has with young people in your area.  We provide rigorous training and DBS checks for volunteers.  We offer many inspiring programmes and we have an excellent record of working very successfully with large and small corporations: Allianz, Legal & General, Unum, Air Products, CISCO, ExxonMobil, Toyota (GB) Plc to name but a few.

Please contact Lucy Miguda, Business Development and Fundraising Manager lucy@satro.org.uk or 01483 688070 for further information

Satro AS Maths Challenge - 24th February and 5th March 2015

SATRO hosted its annual AS Maths Challenge across two dates at local George Abbot School on Tuesday 24th February and Thursday 5th March 2015. This after school event is aimed at sixth forth students from schools around Surrey and neighbouring counties, and challenges them to tackle mathematical problems, including concepts taught at AS Level, as well as ideas which the students might expect to meet should they continue to study maths at degree level.

In addition to the challenge element, the students were treated to talks from staff at Unum and Allianz on how studying maths at university can be an excellent choice for a career, explaining that there is far more to maths than meets the eye.

The highest scoring teams from the two evenings were the Royal Grammar School Guildford and Barton Peveril Sixth form College who travelled from Eastleigh, Hampshire for the event. The teams scored 95% and 90.8% respectively.

The Maths Challenge has always been fantastically supported by schools, with extremely positive feedback from both staff and students. Less than 20% of students continue the study of mathematics beyond the age of 16, and so it is important to encourage those who do to consider taking their studies even further. SATRO very much hopes the event will inspire those who attended to continue studying mathematics into University by providing interesting and unique problems for the teams to solve.

SATRO, based at Surrey Research Park, provides skills training and workshops within schools in the county, particularly with careers in science, technology, engineering and maths.

Over the past 30 years SATRO has worked with more than 450,000 young people educated in Surrey. The charity offers a range of practical hands-on programmes that engage young people of all abilities aged four to 19. Visit www.satro.org.uk for more details.