Great Horizons Event celebrates Science Teaching, Sparks Local STEM Collaboration, and Looks to the Future

On Tuesday 1st July, over 180 guests came together at The Brian Clarke Church of England Academy in Oldham for Great Horizons teacher – a dynamic and inspiring event dedicated to celebrating the tireless work and impact of science educators, and building stronger connections between schools and the STEM sector in Oldham.

Organised and hosted by Cranmer Education Trust, in collaboration with Oldham Council and Oldham Athletic Football Club, the evening was the inaugural event of the Great Horizons campaign. This ambition initiative seeks to raise aspirations in STEM and build new pathways between education and industry across the borough.

Great Horizons

Great Horizons is a major initiative aimed at encouraging industry-education links in Oldham. The goal is to focus attention on how young people from Oldham can have enhanced opportunities to pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) careers in their town. Professor Brian Cox, CBE returned to his hometown of Oldham in July for a series of four inspirational ‘Great Horizons’ events. These celebrated STEM education and highlighted the vital role teachers and industry play in shaping future opportunities for young people in Oldham.

Following on from the teacher event, on Wednesday 2nd July Professor Cox engaged with primary school pupils in a ‘tour of the galaxy’ during special morning assemblies, promoting participation in the Great Science Share for Schools.

In the afternoon, Professor Cox met with business leaders, council representatives, and local influencers, working with Oldham’s Economy Board’s and Oldham Athletic Football Club with the remit to level local business engagement to actively support education and career pathways in STEM.

Later that evening, he hosted a Q&A session with secondary and college students at Oldham Sixth Form College, sharing insights and answering questions about science and space.

A Collective Commitment to Science Education

Attendees included teachers from 14 secondary schools and over 40 primary schools, leaders from The University of Manchester, and representatives from 10 local STEM businesses. Together, they created a powerful forum for discussion, reflection, and practical collaboration.

The event opened with a welcome reception and networking over canapes and refreshments, providing guests with the opportunity to meet colleagues from across the borough. Julie Hollis, CEO of Cranmer Education Trust, officially opened the evening with a warm address, setting the tone for what would be a forward-thinking and energising event.

“Knowledge is power, it literates people, it gives them choices and it enables. We don’t dumb-down for our young people – we want to raise them up and inspire them, in communities where people come together, as we do here today in Great Horizons and in our schools, to build connection, belonging and hope for everyone.”

Julie Hollis, CEO at Cranmer Education Trust

Science Meets Inspiration: Keynotes from Sector Leaders

A highlight of the evening was a keynote address and live Q&A from renowned physicist and broadcaster Professor Brian Cox, who spoke passionately about the importance of science education as well as sharing insights from his Horizons World Tour.

Drawing on his own experiences in education and research, the proud Oldhamer, Professor Cox encouraged teachers to nurture curiosity and imagination in their students – and to see themselves as central to unlocking future scientific breakthroughs.

Following the keynote, Professor Lynne Bianchi, FSE Vice Dean for Social Responsibility, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and Director of SEERIH at The University of Manchester introduced the Great Science Share for Schools, a national campaign that encourages children to share their own scientific questions and discoveries. Her presentation sparked interest from teachers keen to involve their students in a platform that celebrates scientific inquiry and student voice – a hugely important requirement to ensure Oldham hits its target of 100% of schools participating in the campaign.

“We want to make Oldham the first Local Authority that has 100% sign-up by all of its Primary and Secondary schools [to the Great Science Share for Schools].”

A Strong Civic Message

In his closing remarks, Matt Bulmer, Director of Education for Oldham Council, reflected on the shared responsibility to raise ambition across the education sector. He directly addressed teachers as he thanked them for their dedication and applauded the collaborative approach being taken by schools, industry, and civic leaders.

“If you’re a science teacher in Oldham, we thank you… you are putting a massive shift in. Our existing teaching workforce – we need you in Oldham!”

The formal proceedings concluded with a structured networking session, introduced by Charlotte Oles, Assistant Headteacher and Physics teacher at The Brian Clarke Church of England Academy. This collaborative segment brought together teachers and STEM employers to explore practical ways of enriching the science curriculum, from career talks and site visits to co-designed teaching resources and mentoring.

Looking Ahead: The Power of Collaboration

Great Horizons teacher was more than just an event – it was a tangible demonstration of what’s possible when schools, civic leaders, and businesses come together around a shared purpose: to inspire and enable the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.

A key feature of the evening was the Wall of Collaboration, an interactive activity that asked schools to complete ‘collaboration cards’ – sharing something they were looking for, such as industry links or classroom resources, and something they could offer, like CPD opportunities or outreach projects. Attendees were then invited to browse the wall and identify opportunities for mutual support.

This initiative sparked conversation and connection throughout the event, with schools and businesses identifying ways they could work together to strengthen science provision and real-world learning.

Importantly, the Wall of Collaboration was also a centrepiece of the Great Horizons industry event the following day, where over 100 business leaders from across the region attended Boundary Park and were given the opportunity to view the shared needs and offers from local schools. Many expressed strong interest in becoming part of an ongoing network of support for science education.

In the coming weeks, the collaboration content will be made available online to all attendees, with the aim of turning initial conversation into sustainable partnerships – not just between schools, but between education and industry. By creating a platform from reciprocal collaboration, Great Horizons is laying the foundation for a thriving local ecosystem where every young person can access inspiring STEM experiences, regardless of background or postcode.

With acknowledgements to: Oldham Council, Oldham Enterprise Trust, Oldham Athletic Football Club, Cranmer Education Trust, Pinnacle Learning Trust, SEERIH (The University of Manchester), and The Norman Stoller Charitable Trust.

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