Appeal for sponsors to help Haywards Heath schools get new STEM books

Twineham Primary School with Amanda Saunders and a representative from Roche Diagnostics

Amanda Saunders, who has worked as an independent Usborne organiser for six years, said she initially worked to get the books into her sons’ classrooms, but has now been inspired to help all schools in the town.

She said: “I thought it was such a good set of books, and thought it would benefit my children and their school.

“I have two boys aged 10 and 7 who love all things STEM - they just love books in general.

Bolnore Primary School with Amanda Saunders and Ben Harris from Falcon Health Chiropractic

“I started trying to do this in 2019, and now hope to have the books in schools for this year’s British Science Week, from March 6 to March 15.

“Bolnore Village Primary School were interested, but the books were just too expensive.

“I put a post on social media about the books, and within 24 hours Falcon Health had funded it, inspiring me to raise funds for the other schools in the town.”

She said how she thought the teacher resource notes would be an easy way to put a lesson together, and a good way to engage with the children. “Hopefully there’s something for everyone in the books, she added.

“I think encouraging an interest in all subjects is really crucial but STEM subjects are some of the most vital life skills and will come up again and again in your life.

“It’s a great way to start an interest in STEM, and it’s nice seeing children interested and being excited in STEM.

“It should be exciting and accessible for everyone.”

Amanda is trying to find sponsors to help provide books for St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, St Wilfrid’s Primary School, Holy Trinity Primary School, Northlands Wood Primary Academy. Albourne Primary School, St Mark’s Primary School and St Peter’s Primary School.

Pupils at Twineham said ‘the space books are so cool’, and that the coding book is ‘so much fun to read’.

Jess Blanch, STEM lead at Bolnore Primary School, said: “All responses from teachers have been very positive.

“The books have been an amazing resource in our school. Children regularly refer to them during relevant STEM subjects but also choose to read them to find out facts during reading times.

“Teachers have said it has increased the range of non-fiction book in their classrooms and has boosted reading non-fiction for pleasure. Every teachers first reaction has been ‘the children absolutely love them’.”