SECONDARY and primary schools in Thurock and further afield in south Essex will benefit from a grant of £50,000 from DP World, which runs the London Gateway port on the Thames at Corringham.

In the first project of its kind anywhere in Britain, thousands of children across South Essex stand to benefit from a greater teacher focus on crucial STEM subjects in the classroom thanks to the cash injection.

STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics – key subjects that can help pupils progress to a variety of good jobs when they leave school.

The groundbreaking project is designed to address the challenging time young people face as they move from primary to secondary school and help ensure a smoother ride for the most vulnerable pupils.

DP World is funding a course for teachers known as 'Continuing Professional Development' at its London Gateway logistics hub.

It is the latest instalment in an ongoing five-year programme of support for STEM teaching at a number of local schools including Dilkes Academy, Ortu Gable High School, The Hathaway Academy, St Thomas More High School, Westcliff High School for Girls and Benyon Primary School. Fifteen local teachers benefitted from the training last week and more will follow.

Danny Knight, Partnership Development Officer at STEM Learning, said: "A huge thank you to DP World for their generous support helping teachers across South Essex inspire local children in STEM. DP World is showing that it is putting young people and children first, listening to the needs of locals and providing the support that makes a real difference.

"This innovative project is the first of its kind and it will have a national impact – and it all started in South Essex.

"Because DP World has empowered teachers to complete world-leading CPD, 93% surveyed are now comfortable using cross-curricular STEM activities in their teaching and 81% are confident providing STEM careers advice to their students – amazing results that will directly benefit the children of South Essex as they forge their own careers in the future."

Port Operations Director at DP World London Gateway, Andrew Bowen, said: "The efforts of these teachers and their pupils has the potential to transform their futures and I am delighted that we at DP World have been able to play our part in making that happen.

"Our business exists to make the world's trade flow better, changing what's possible for our customers and the communities we serve globally. We are committed to investing in and regenerating the areas where we operate. Over the last 10 years, £2billion has been invested in the UK and over the next 10 years we have earmarked a further £1billion of investment.

"This investment is supporting thousands of well-paid jobs, with more than 85 per cent of our employees at London Gateway living locally. We will be recruiting for another 250 positions next year when our new fourth berth opens and we very much hope that some of the children who are benefiting from improved science, technology, engineering and maths teaching will come to work with us.

DP World's financial support for STEM education across South Essex will continue for at least two more years. It will include specialist training for a total of 37 teachers, technicians and support staff that will impact the lives of 3,700 young people in the area. There will also be a summer camp for 20 young people, with sessions on physics, chemistry, biology and STEM-related careers.