Professor Brian Cox launches new partnership to inspire next generation of scientists in Oldham

Chadderton-born physicist Professor Brian Cox returned to his hometown for the launch of a partnership between Oldham Athletic Community Trust and Pharmaceutical Company AstraZeneca, which will help bring science to life for hundreds of primary school pupils in the borough.

Professor Cox (pictured below) launched the Active Science in Schools Project at Boundary Park’s event centre, where earlier in the day he met with local school children and discussed the importance of inspiring young people to pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects. 

The programme, delivered by Oldham Athletic Community Trust in partnership with biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, combines physical activity with scientific learning to make STEM subjects more engaging and accessible for children across Oldham. 

Professor Cox joined a panel discussion alongside Oldham Council's Director of Growth James Kington, AstraZeneca UK Chair Shaun Grady, Oldham Athletic Community Trust Chief Executive Sandy Mitchell and Dr Lynne Bianchi, the founder of The Great Science Share for Schools, an annual campaign inspiring young people’s scientific question-asking. 

Speaking at the launch, James highlighted the long-term benefits the project could bring to both young people and the local economy, along with Northern Roots project to create the UK's largest urban farm and eco-park and the SportsTown sports, education and wellbeing campus at Boundary Park.  

"We've got SportsTown, we've got Northern Roots — assets that other towns don't have — and we look to build on those and deliver for the residents of Oldham, because the residents of Oldham deserve the best.  

"They do deserve for us to really build something that can deliver on the future for those children that have been upstairs today. Oldham has got one of the biggest young population in GM and we need to deliver an amazing place for them to live and work because that's what will work for the future of Oldham." 

He added: "That understanding of science and technology goes so deep down into everyone's job nowadays. Be that engaging with AI, engaging in technology in the day to day workforce. 

"We need to make sure those skills are embedded deeply in the workforce going forward because that's what will help businesses to succeed, that's what will help individuals to succeed and those partnerships like the one we're talking about today are absolutely integral to that." 

"It's about giving the best to the young people of Oldham and the better and more skilled our workforce the better our businesses will do and the better our workforce and businesses do the more jobs will come to Oldham because people will look for that skilled workforce." 

The six-week Active Science in Schools programme will be delivered from the next academic year, initially working with six primary schools before extending to all primary school. 

Professor Cox recalled how growing up in Chadderton sparked his passion for astronomy, with its clear night skies firing his curiosity about the universe. 

"I don't think I would have had my imagination captured by astronomy if I'd have lived in the city centre," he told the audience, which included the new Mayor of Oldham, Cllr Pam Byrne.