Mackie Academy receives £50k grant for new IT facilities

Mackie Academy has been awarded a grant of just under £50,000 to transform its computing science department.

The funding has been provided by the Wolfson Foundation and the new suite will provide pupils with the very latest in IT facilities.

Headteacher at the Stonehaven school Louise Moir said: “We’re absolutely delighted to receive this funding and it marks a significant step forward in the school's commitment to enhancing digital education.

"We are incredibly grateful for this investment in our school and our pupils’ futures."

This initiative has been a collaborative effort involving the faculty of mathematics and computing science, the faculty of art, design, and technologies, and the school's cluster business manager.

The team has also worked closely with partners in higher education, including Robert Gordon University, to ensure a seamless transition for students pursuing further studies.  

Alongside this, Mackie Academy engaged with local businesses and schools that have undertaken similar projects, ensuring that the new Computing Science suite meets industry and educational best practices.

N5 Computing Science students had the following to say about the investment:
Leon said: “With new equipment working in this class will be easier than with the regular computers. It also means it'll be a nicer part of the school. Getting this new suite should certainly help with our learning.” 

Anea said: “A new suite won't just help current computing students succeed, but will encourage more students to go down the IT pathway.”

Millie said: “By having a new computer suite it opens so many opportunities to my future learning and future career.” 

Ben said: “Better equipment will provide a better support for learning and if I go on and take higher computing it will be very helpful.”

Paul Ramsbottom, chief executive of the Wolfson Foundation, said: “We are very pleased to support Mackie Academy in creating a new computer science suite.

"We hope this new facility will inspire students and encourage more to study computer science.”

The Wolfson Foundation is an independent charity with a focus on research and education.

Its aim is to support civil society by investing in excellent projects in science, health, heritage, humanities and the arts.

Since it was established in 1955, some £1 billion (£2 billion in real terms) has been awarded to more than 14,000 projects throughout the UK, all on the basis of expert review.