Project First Light
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Project First Light at Monkspath
We are delighted to be part of Project First Light, an exciting regional initiative led by Tudor Grange Academies Trust, designed to bring astronomy to life for children, families and school communities.
Through this project, Monkspath has been selected to host a smart telescope, giving our pupils a unique opportunity to explore the wonders of the night sky and engage in real scientific observation.
What is Project First Light?
Project First Light is a collaboration across schools in the West Midlands, supported by the Royal Astronomical Society. The project places smart telescopes into schools for an academic year, enabling children to:
- Observe the moon, planets and distant galaxies
- Capture high-quality images of space
- Develop scientific enquiry skills through real-world exploration
- Share their discoveries with others
You can find out more about the wider project here: www.projectfirstlight.co.uk/
How We Will Use the Telescope
At Monkspath, we are committed to making this a meaningful and inclusive experience for our whole school community. We plan to:
- Introduce a telescope lending library, allowing pupils to take the equipment home and explore space with their families
- Run a ‘Space Club’ enrichment programme, particularly during the darker autumn and spring evenings
- Provide opportunities for pupils to capture and showcase their own astronomical images
- Create events and opportunities that encourage family engagement and shared learning
Enhancing Our Curriculum
Our involvement in Project First Light will strengthen and enrich our curriculum in a number of ways:
- Enhancing Science Learning
- Observing the sun, moon and planets in real-time
- Developing understanding of space and scientific processes
- Using astrophotography to support enquiry and investigation
- Raising Aspirations
- Helping children to see themselves as scientists
- Creating opportunities beyond the classroom, including links with secondary schools
- Showcasing pupil work
- Strengthening Community Engagement
- Developing a family-focused lending system
- Hosting events and shared experiences
- Encouraging curiosity and learning beyond the school day
A Shared Vision
At Monkspath, we are passionate about providing meaningful, memorable learning experiences that inspire curiosity and ambition. Project First Light aligns strongly with our vision to:
- Deliver a rich, knowledge-led curriculum
- Provide high-quality enrichment opportunities
- Build a strong sense of belonging and community
We are incredibly grateful to Mr Ben Wilkes and the Tudor Grange Academies Trust for extending this opportunity to our school.
Looking Ahead
We are excited to see how this project develops over the year and the impact it will have on our pupils. We look forward to sharing their discoveries, images and experiences with our wider school community.
See Star telescope
