Human Resource Professionals

Interesting science with the Horners

supported York in their work to meet the new curriculum specification introduced in 2015. Prizes in the form of drinking horns are awarded for the top students’ performances in the SHAP A level. Best Evidence Science Teaching [BEST] - After supporting context-led teaching along with the Salters’ Institute, through Salters’-Horners’-Advanced-Physics [SHAP] for 30 years, the Horners’ Charity is now contributing to the development of BEST specifically in the form of a module on Modern Materials. Following extensive research, BEST is aimed at redefining the way that science is taught to 14–15 year-olds. Polymer Study Tour - Since 1987 the Horners have devised, participated in, and arranged industry support for these unique courses for science, design and technology teachers. In previous summer terms, 3 groups of teachers were taken to 3 universities [Edinburgh Napier, Manchester and London Metropolitan] and given lectures, laboratory sessions, and factory visits. In 2019 the Tours concentrated on the Design and Technology syllabus and two were based at polymer producing and processing companies with the third still at Edinburgh Napier. In addition to showcasing the latest technologies this gives teachers valuable insight into the world of work. These intense tours are widely acclaimed and have given almost 4000 teachers much valuable teaching material. Many London teachers have attended. The 2020 and 2021 courses were cancelled due to Covid but 2022 courses are being planned. Fantastic Plastics - Three exciting lectures for schools to practically demonstrate the advantages of plastic materials and their benefits in the battle against climate change are held each year in Scotland, and the North West reaching over 2000 students. British Science Association (BSA) - The Horners Charity has supported the BSA since 2012 through the development of primary school CREST Star activities, enabling participation of primary schools in Demo Day during British Science week in 2017. More recently the Charity has supported the successful piloting of Discovery Days for whole year groups of key stage 3 students in schools with high numbers of disadvantaged students Science Gateways, previously called Science Opens Doors - This project was researched by the Horners’ Company, and jointly prime funded with the Mercers’ Foundation; current activities are supported by the Horners’, and Tallow Chandlers’ Companies. It is unique in bringing together, 10 year-old children, with their parents and teachers, to carry out simple investigations in the classroom, and linking the value of science with the importance of careers from science, through presentations and take-home literature. The project is based upon impressive research by the ASPIRES Team latterly at UCL, and the Science Council. To date, over 60 after school events have been held to over 3000 participants, mostly in Inner London. Other Liveries could participate in these events. Due to Covid this project has largely moved online and its resources are available at https://sciencegateways.org.uk/ Careers HELP [Horners-Educators-Livery-Project] - This is not just another careers project, it incorporates an approach to self-awareness and ownership. A simple imagebased questionnaire lead to a basic profile together with adjacent alternatives. An innovative software company, SACU, are creating the algorithms vital to link the concepts. Following successful schools testing Careers HELP is now being used by over 300 schools across the country and is recognised as a unique addition to careers advice It is listed in the careers directory of the government quango The Careers and Enterprise Group. Royal Society of Biology - The Horners Charity has been supporting the Royal Society of Biology in delivering Gopher Science Labs to support teachers by providing examples of effective science activities that demonstrate science principles. Awards - The Company sponsors several awards for modern design and excellence in innovation using polymer materials. The Horners Award, the oldest plastics award in the world, is an annual award for an imaginative or innovative contribution to the plastics industry. The Design Innovation in Plastics - Student Design Award is the longest-running student plastics design award in Europe and is open to all UK undergraduate Design students and it annually attracts around 300 applicants from around 20 Universities. The winning candidates receive prized industrial placements. The Company offers the Fashion, Jewellery and Decorative Items Award using horn and or plastics, and a scholarship to encourage the continued use of horn. Bursaries are also awarded to students at City of London Girls School, City of London School, City of London Freemen’s School, and Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Contact Information: Web: https://www.horners.org.uk

HUMAN RESOURCE PROFESSIONALS

Included in our main objectives as a Guild are education and development activities to support people through and within the profession. In 2018 we established the national Leadership Foundation, with an academic board headed up by our Past Master, Jacqueline Davies and representation from our professional body, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. The first cohort of participants participated in the programme in 2018/19; we currently have the second cohort participating from 2020/21. In response to the pandemic the programme has been moved on-line and now takes place in a virtual environment. This has expanded our ability to appeal to and include a broader based group of attendees outside London, enhancing the diversity of participants. The programme is aimed towards those on the cusp of achieving director status within the world of commerce, public sector and the third sector is run over a 12month period. The structure of the programme is a blended learning experience of formal teaching, group work and assignments and each participant being assigned a mentor.