Educational Information
Science City York works very closely with key providers in order to enhance primary, secondary, further and higher education in fields of creative technology, bioscience, digital and science.
York has developed an international reputation for the quality of teaching and research excellence at the University of York across a range of scientific disciplines. Other institutions locally including the College of York St John, Askham Bryan College and York College have developed leading expertise and specialist courses to meet the needs of local employers and workforce. A range of course provision includes laboratory technician training, creative media engineering and production, stone masonery and engineering.
In primary and secondary education, Science City York works closely with NYBEP, the North Yorkshire Business Education Partnership and the Local Education Authority to enhance business links with teachers to improve the quality of science, technology and creative technology education within schools.
Key information on education providers and initiatives:
- York is Britain's leading teaching institution. It has the highest average score for teaching quality in the UK university system
- The University is ranked 6th out of 100 UK universities for research quality
- The University is a research-led institution
- York is the most research efficient university in the UK, according to figures from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). The league table on research efficiency was published by Research Fortnight in 2003
- York was the Sunday Times University of the Year for 2003/2004
- York appears in the top ten of every university league table
- The University has spun-out 17 companies to date, mostly IT and Biomedical related
- Entrepreneurship is a key part of the University's provision for its students including specific courses and award schemes
National Science Learning Centre
- The National Science Learning Centre (NSLC) is an £11million purpose built centre - the only one of its kind in the world. Independent biomedical research charity, the Wellcome Trust is providing £25 million to fund the National Science Learning Centre. The National Science Learning Centre also received funding from Yorkshire Forward (Yorkshire & Humber Regional Development Agency).
- Based at University of York in a newly built, high-tech venue the NSLC will provide professional development for science teachers and technicians from across the country.
- The aim of the Centre is to provide innovative and inspiring professional development that supports teachers and technicians in delivering intellectually stimulating and relevant science education, helping students gain the knowledge and understanding they need - both as citizens and as scientists of the future.
- The Centre is a joint venture run by the Universities of Leeds, Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam and York and initiated by White Rose University Consortium.
The National Science Learning Centre is part of a network of 10 Centres around the country
North Yorkshire Business Education Partnership
- Over 1600 York students participated in science-related events and activities involving North Yorkshire Business Education Partnership (NYBEP) such as Chemistry at Work and the Discovery Days, as well as Engineering Inspirations.
- Around 60 science-based businesses in York are regularly involved in education business link work.
- Four secondary schools in York have science-related specialist status; one with Science, one with Maths and Computing and two with Technology status. York is also a 14-19 Pathfinder to enhance science and technology teaching
- Eighteen business partners with a science-related background are currently mentoring students in York secondary schools.
- CSL has provided intensive support for the creation of a website resource for science teachers.
- Higher York is an exciting and innovative partnership between Askham Bryan College, the University of York, York College, York St John University and the City of York Council.
- Higher York is aimed at encouraging and enabling more local people into higher education and training, supporting the existing work of Aimhigher and local providers
- Higher York works on increasing choice, and improving opportunities, for local people to enter and progress through higher-level vocational and academic programmes, integrating information, advice and guidance about FHE choices (both pre-entry and post-qualification) available locally
- works to strengthen student support activity
- develops additional cross-institutional student union provision
- makes explicit links between course content and local/sub-regional need