Salford City Academy’s Pioneer Programme returns for a second year, offering curious young minds hands-on STEM learning, creative projects, and leadership opportunities.
Salford City Academy’s Pioneer Programme is now entering its second year, welcoming a new cohort of enthusiastic Year 7 students. Designed for those with a strong interest and aptitude in STEM subjects - Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics - the programme offers an enhanced curriculum that allows students to explore these areas in greater depth. Alongside their studies, Pioneer students benefit from inspiring guest talks and hands-on enrichment projects that bring STEM learning to life.
Year 7: STEM on Track
Our Year 7 enrichment project, STEM on Track, is made possible thanks to sponsorship from Farrat. Throughout the year, students work collaboratively to build their own go-kart, applying STEM theory in a practical, engaging way. The project concludes with a thrilling national event, where students from schools across the UK compete by racing the go-karts they’ve built.
Last year’s Pioneer cohort excelled, winning the Learn Award for the highest score on the online learning platform and placing second overall in the national competition. As part of the prize, the school received an Xbox, which is now being used as a driving simulator to help train our new cohort of Pioneers!
This year’s Year 7 group is already off to a fantastic start, currently leading the online learning platform leaderboard. Follow SCA’s social media channels to track their progress throughout the year.
Year 8: STEM Leadership
Our Year 8 Pioneers have embarked on a new challenge: a STEM Leadership Course in partnership with the Leadership Skills Foundation. This programme helps students develop essential leadership qualities through a series of engaging activities:
- Exploring the qualities of effective leadership
- Preparing and delivering presentations to their peers
- Practicing clear communication by giving origami instructions
- Planning and delivering STEM lessons to Year 5 and 6 pupils, including creating lesson plans, ordering equipment, designing worksheets and presentations, and rehearsing with peers
This hands-on experience not only strengthens their STEM knowledge but also builds confidence, teamwork, and communication skills—preparing them to be future leaders in science and engineering.
Click here to read more about the Pioneer Programme.