We The Curious receives vital funding from John James Bristol Foundation for a new schools programme aiming to address educational inequality in Bristol

BRISTOL educational charity and science centre, We The Curious, has received £149,101 from the John James Bristol Foundation towards a new funded schools programme aimed at addressing educational inequality in Bristol.  

The funding from the John James Bristol Foundation marks them as a founding partner for a new funded schools programme which formally launches in September 2025, following a successful pilot. The programme aims to provide life-changing experiences for children in primary schools from BS1-16 with over 40% of students eligible for free school meals.

Over the next 3 years, 6,600 school children will visit We The Curious for free. The programme will focus on Year 3 students – the critical transition between Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 where interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects can be shaped. It will include free transport and free entry to the venue with over 200 exhibits, as well as a thrilling science show and Planetarium experience, opening up a world of discovery when it matters most.


Aiming to encourage greater diversity in STEM  
According to Bristol City Council’s Bristol Key Facts 2023 research, Bristol has some of the UK’s worst educational inequality; three of the five worst performing areas in England for young people going on to higher education are in South Bristol. Research by Babassa research shows that Bristol is currently ranked seventh worst of 348 districts in England and Wales for multiple inequalities, with 41 areas in the most deprived 10% in England, and recent reports from the Sutton Trust show areas of Bristol ranked as some of the lowest in the UK for social mobility. 

We The Curious has been working with schools to understand the barriers and challenges they face in engaging with STEM subjects. In 2024, they reopened with a 50% off entry offer for schools with over 22% free school meals. With the support of the John James Bristol Foundation, the charity is able to extend this opportunity through this ambitious programme, to Bristol’s most under-resourced communities.  

Donna Speed, Chief Executive of We The Curious said: 
“As we head into our 25th anniversary year, we’re delighted to be launching this programme which’ll enable us to be more ambitious than ever in our mission to open up science to everyone. Science really can transform lives, but only if everyone has the chance to take part. Thousands miss out, not because they lack potential but because of financial barriers. True innovation thrives on diversity, yet too many young, brilliant minds are shut out before they even begin - if we don’t act now we risk losing our next generation of scientists, engineers, innovators and creators.

We’re very grateful to the John James Bristol Foundation for their support in helping us to launch this new schools programme, enabling us to reach more children in Bristol - every child deserves the chance to be curious, inspired, and see a future in science.” 

Nicola Prosser, Chief Executive of John James Bristol Foundation added: 
“John James’ successful business career developed from his interest in STEM subjects, and the Foundation has supported the science centre since its inception. Every child in Bristol should have the opportunity to marvel at the exhibits and be thrilled by the experiences on offer so we are delighted to support We The Curious with this 3-year programme. It is one of our new educational initiatives which we hope will inspire children from underserved areas of the city.”

We The Curious has been through a period of both change and recovery following a 14-month closure period due to the pandemic, and a subsequent 2-year closure due to a fire on the roof in April 2022. We The Curious reopened in July 2024 following a significant building reinstatement programme from the fire and water damage. 

During this time its charitable mission continued, and the team delivered an ambitious ‘out and about’ programme across Bristol visiting schools, festivals, community centres and more, delivering over 270 free activities and reaching more than 37,000 people.  

2025 marks a significant year for We The Curious, which will see it celebrating its 25th anniversary, along with a network of science and discovery centre across the UK that were funded as part of the National Lottery Millennium Commission.

 

Support We The Curious 
We The Curious is looking for further develop this programme to support secondary and specialist skills to support greater inclusion in STEM. Please visit https://www.wethecurious.org/join-support or email development@wethecurious.org for more information. 



For more information, images, interviews or to arrange a press trip, please contact the Jen Forster, Communications Lead –jen.forster@wethecurious.org or 07967 334152.

You can follow We The Curious on Facebook (wethecurious) or Instagram (@wethecurious_). Visit www.wethecurious.org for more information.

Editor’s Notes:

About We The Curious: 
We The Curious is an educational charity and South West England’s leading science centre. We produce experiences that bring people together to play, get creative with science and explore different ideas. We work with partners locally and nationally, supporting people to be inquisitive, develop new skills and improve their wellbeing. 

Our vision asks ‘what if everyone is included, curious and inspired by science to build a better world together?’ 

About John James Bristol Foundation:
Born in Bedminster, John James served with the RAF during the war and became one of Britain’s most successful businessmen. He wanted to ‘give back’ to the people of Bristol who supported his first business venture and is best known for his large donations in the areas of health, education and the elderly. The John James Bristol Foundation continues to make grants across these areas, aiming to help the wellbeing of as many Bristol residents as possible.  www.johnjames.org.uk