Collaboration between The Mico Trust and The Smallpeice Trust
Collaboration between The Mico Trust and The Smallpeice Trust
Sir Samuel Mico’s Charities (commonly known as the Mico Trust) is delighted to announce in association with the Smallpeice Trust an exciting new range of educational opportunities for local students.
The Mico Trust is a small but very long-established charity now forming part of Weymouth Town Charities. It was founded more than 350 years ago under the will of a local merchant, Sir Samuel Mico, who bequeathed income from the George Inn on the harbourside “to putt out three poore Children Apprentices yearly”. Nowadays, still with the benefit of income from the pub, the Trust provides financial assistance to young people in the area of Weymouth and Portland to assist with their education or develop their trade skills or generally help them to advance in life.
The Smallpeice Trust is a national charity founded more than 50 years ago to encourage young people to take an interest in science and engineering. The Smallpeice Trust offers an integrated series of learning programmes to secondary-school students at various levels, up to Engineering Scholarships for A-Level students. The programmes are attuned to the ages and abilities of the participating students. But all those who take part gain a real head start in acquiring employability skills including problem solving, lateral thinking, team building, time management, enterprise and presentation skills.
For Year 10 students (ie those aged 14-15) the Smallpeice Trust is this year holding an Arkwright Engineering Scholarships Bootcamp to take place at Bovington Tank Museum on 29th May 2019. During the Bootcamp students, who may be accompanied by a parent if they wish, will first of all work in groups on a hands-on engineering project. They will then plan how to market the product, and finally they will present it to a panel of experts acting as “potential investors”.
As well ss Smallpeice specialists, ambassadors from major engineering companies will be present at the Bootcamp and ready to answer questions and share their experience to help students gain a better understanding of how to secure a career in engineering. Students will then be briefed on the 2020 Arkwright Engineering Scholarships application process, giving them valuable information on what will be required to complete the application form, excel in the aptitude exam and impress at the interview.
Also this year, the Smallpeice Trust is offering up to 10 places for Year 9 students (five girls and five boys aged 13-14) on a Residential Course to take place at Southampton University from 29th July to 1st August, to learn about Future Marine Engineering.
The course has four key components: (a) practical, industry-based engineering projects such as designing and building a vehicle, to develop skills in engineering, mathematics and budgeting; (b) project mentoring by engineers from world-leading companies and scientists from industry; (c) experience of meeting other students from all walks of life; and (d) information on routes into STEM careers.
Students on the Residential Course will be fully supported throughout by a specialist education officer DBS-checked and trained in first aid and DBS-checked supervisors available 24 hours a day, plus university academics and role models from industry. Students and their parents and teachers will receive a report on their performance.
Finally, at the pinnacle of Smallpeice Trust awards, is the Arkwright Engineering Scholarship, for students aiming to study an engineering-related subject at university.
This scheme began in 1991 when a group of committed head teachers determined that design and technology lacked the profile it needed to attract the highest calibre engineers and designers. To reflect this, applicants need endorsement from their teachers; and for those who are successful the scholarship carries the highest prestige. And those winning a scholarship gain a great advantage in their A-Level studies, with regular monitoring, a mentor from the engineering world to guide them and a programme of CV-enhancing activities and events over the course of two years.
Candidates for an Arkwright Engineering Scolarship apply at age 15-16, and are called for examination and interview during the course of Year 11. The scholarship runs through Years 12 and 13. Thus, this year, applications will open during Autumn term 2019 and for those who are successful the scholarships will run from Autumn 2020 to Summer 2022. During this period the student will be formally presented with the Scholarship at a high-distinction Awards Ceremony in London.
Applications for the scholarships are highly competitive. But all students with a real interest in STEM are encouraged to take this up with their teachers, as all applicants will benefit from the experience of the rigorous selection process, from the application form through the aptitude examination to the final interview.
The MICO Trust is pleased to be able to fund two local students who are successful in applying for an Arkwright Engineering Scholarship commencing in September 2020.
Over the course of 2019 to 2020 the Mico Trust is offering grants to help students in the area of Weymouth and Portland participate in the Smallpeice Trust programmes as follows
For up to 15 local students to take part in the Engineering and Scholarship Bootcamp.
For up to 10 local students to attend the Future Marine Engineering residential course.
For two local students awarded Arkwright Engineering Scholarships.
Students or teachers wanting more information on the Smallpeice Trust can phone 01926 3332000 or go to www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk. Mico Trust information including application forms for grants is available at www.weymouthtowncharities.org.uk, or phone 01305 548007.
