IMPACT REPORT

Executive Summary

December 2024

Undertaken by Dr Leila Khouja Walker, University of West England

The Operation Spitfire programme was designed to inspire civic pride in Stoke-on-Trent’s children and young people while encouraging interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) pathways. The initiative aims to connect pupils to the region’s engineering history, notably the Spitfire, while fostering creativity, curiosity, inclusion, and relevance.

The Operation Spitfire Board commissioned an impact study for the pilot stage, to enable:

Impact against a Theory of Change to be measured against

1. Increased civic pride in Stoke-on-Trent’s engineering history.
2. Increased pupil interest in STEM-related subjects through the project’s guiding principles.
3. Increase in pupils’ families’ interest in Stoke-on-Trent’s engineering history.

Recommendations for future iterations/developments to support possible scale up across local schools.

Key findings from the data collected from teachers, pupils and parent/carers who took part in the pilot from the City Learning Trust (CLT) were:

1. Civic Pride: A significant majority of pupils reported increased pride in Stoke-on-Trent’s engineering heritage, specifically regarding the Spitfire and Reginald Mitchell. Families also showed increased awareness and pride through pupil engagement with the project.
2. Interest in STEM: 83% of primary and 69% of secondary pupils expressed heightened interest in STEM subjects, with some reporting a shift from disinterest to enthusiasm. Practical activities and cross-curricular lessons combining science, art, and history were particularly effective.
3. Engagement and Creativity: Pupils valued opportunities for hands-on, creative activities such as building models and designing camouflaged planes.The museum visits and interactions with Spitfire-linked guests enriched learning, making content more relevant and engaging.
4. Employability Skills: Pupils demonstrated growth in key competencies such as teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and perseverance, particularly through group projects and competition participation.
5. Teacher Feedback: While overall positive, teachers highlighted the need for clearer lesson plans, simplified STEM kit instructions, more alignment with the curriculum and greater consideration of range of pupil ability. All of these recommendations have been considered in V2 of the project, which is what is included on this website.
6. Family Impact: Parents reported increased knowledge of local history and expressed a desire to visit the Spitfire museum, often influenced by their children’s enthusiasm.

In conclusion, Operation Spitfire successfully increased civic pride, sparked interest in STEM, and fostered employability skills. Future iterations, with targeted refinements, will amplify its impact across schools and communities within the Stoke-on-Trent area.