Government gives go ahead for Space Studio School

The National Space Academy and the National Space Centre are both set to be key partners with the Space Studio Banbury, one of 13 new Studio Schools to be announced today. 

The school, administered by the Aspiration Academies Trust,  will cater for 300 students and will specialise in science and maths with strong space connections.  Space Studio Banbury will make the most of connections with industry and research in the local area, including some based at Harwell, such as RAL Space.

Regarding the announcement of the Studio Schools, aiming for a first intake in 2014, National Space Academy Director Anu Ojha said:

"The UK's space industry is one of this country's best-kept secrets – amongst the fastest growing sectors of the UK economy (nearly 10% per year) with 29 000 employees, a turnover to the country of more than £9 billion per year and world-leading expertise in space robotics, satellite communications and a host of other space technologies.

One of the biggest challenges for the sector is sustaining this growth – to achieve its potential the UK space industry will need new entrants at both degree level and higher apprenticeship technical level. The Banbury Space Studio, with its proximity to Harwell (the UK's science campus for space science and particle physics with thousands of engineers, technicians and scientists on site) and support from the UK space sector, will be well placed to make a tangible contribution not only to the growth prospects for the sector but also to the aspirations of the young people studying at the Studio School who wish to become part of this successful and inspiring industry."The National Space Academy and the National Space Centre are both set to be key partners with the Space Studio Banbury, one of 13 new Studio Schools to be announced today."