Kingswood College is pleased to share that construction has begun on the development of a new STEAM Centre and Learning Hub at Kingswood Junior School.

This significant project represents an investment in the foundational years of a pupil’s education and reflects the College’s commitment to preparing young minds for a changing and increasingly complex world. The work is expected to be completed within the next year.

The development has been made possible through the generosity of the Joyful Noise Charitable Foundation, a private foundation of which Mrs Betty MacMillan is a trustee. Mrs MacMillan, together with the WEM Foundation, has supported Kingswood’s scholarship programme for more than twenty-five years. Following the conclusion of the WEM Foundation in 2024, this further donation continues a longstanding partnership rooted in a shared belief in the power of education to transform lives and strengthen communities.

In considering how best to use this gift for the benefit of both the school and the broader community, it became clear that the greatest impact would be made in the Junior School, where the foundations for future learning and character are formed.

Mrs Carissa Wilson, Head of the Junior School, presented a compelling vision for enhancing and expanding the learning environment through a purpose‑built STEAM facility and Learning Hub. Her proposal reflected a clear understanding of the needs of young pupils and the opportunities that modern, flexible spaces can provide. This vision has shaped the project now underway through the refurbishment of classrooms within the existing teaching block and the construction of a new extension in the area between the Junior School with the Music School.

The new spaces are designed to enhance the daily learning experience of pupils and to support a more interdisciplinary approach to teaching. Plans include a dedicated IT and robotics classroom, a maker space, an art studio, a group music and marimba room, and purpose-built rooms for learning support professionals. Flexible environments will enable pupils to engage more deeply in project-based learning, collaborate across subjects and experience their learning in practical and meaningful ways.

Reflecting on the educational thinking behind the project, Mrs Wilson noted that the development builds on work already taking place within the Junior School.

“Junior education is increasingly centred on developing skills such as critical thinking, creativity and problem solving, rather than simply focusing on covering content. At Kingswood this has been a priority for some time, but these new spaces will allow us to strengthen what we are already doing and make learning more practical and integrated. When pupils are able to explore ideas through robotics, coding or hands on projects across subjects, their understanding becomes more meaningful and lasting.

“These are the skills that will matter most as they grow into adulthood in an increasingly AI influenced world. Our responsibility is to help them learn how to think, question, collaborate and adapt. Technology will keep evolving, but these human capabilities, together with a strong grounding in character, will enable them to use it wisely and confidently.”

An equally important aspect of the project is the establishment of a dedicated Learning Hub. This initiative reflects Kingswood’s belief that very pupil brings a unique mix of strengths, interests and challenges, and that early and thoughtful support can make a significant difference to their confidence and journey in life.

 Mrs Ghida Barnard, Head of Learning Support in the Junior School, has worked closely with Mrs Wilson in shaping plans for this space. The Hub will provide thoughtfully designed rooms where pupils can receive tailored support from a range of specialists, strengthening the existing collaborative approach between teachers and therapists.

Mrs Wilson explained, “The Hub will allow pupils to receive tailored support in spaces designed with intention and care. It builds on what we already do, providing room to grow and to meet needs more effectively.”

She added, “This development feels like the beginning of something larger for us. The generosity of our donor has given us the momentum to begin realising a vision we have held for some time. While this phase will make an immediate difference, we can already see how future growth could include further classrooms, outdoor performance areas and other collaborative environments. We are also giving careful thought to water use, energy efficiency and responsible stewardship as the campus expands.”

As work progresses over the coming months, the new STEAM Centre and Learning Hub will begin to take shape as places where imagination, discipline and care for the individual pupil come together. Shared spaces for Art, Design and IT will foster teamwork across subjects, while the Learning Hub will provide personalised support that ensures every pupil is equipped to participate fully in school life and to move forward with confidence.

“At Kingswood Junior School we lay the foundation not only for what children know, but for how they come to see the world – and, crucially, their place within it” says Leon Grove, Kingswood College Head.

In the early years, children possess a natural curiosity: they question, experiment, imagine, and create with remarkable freedom. As Ken Robinson so powerfully argued, the role of education is not to standardise thinking, but to cultivate this innate sense of wonder and possibility. STEAM education provides the ideal platform for this, as it invites children to explore, to make connections, and to learn through doing… In this way, our new centre will become an investment not only in academic excellence, but in the formation of inquisitive, confident, and capable young people – true to the spirit of educating for life.”

What is STEAM?

STEAM refers to an integrated approach to learning that brings together Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics. Its educational philosophy recognises that innovation grows from both technical understanding and creative thinking, and that real-world challenges are best explored through connections across subjects. In the Junior School, STEAM focuses on providing hands-on, imaginative and collaborative learning experiences that help pupils become adaptable, curious and confident thinkers. Rather than preparing children only for specific careers, it aims to develop the mindset and skills they will need to learn, solve problems and thrive in a changing world.