AkzoNobel launches suite for Northumberland school's STEM education

A Northumberland primary school has opened a brand new ‘Inspiration Suite’, designed and developed by AkzoNobel.

The global paints and coatings company worked with pupils and staff at neighbouring Central Primary School in Ashington to design the suite where STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects will be taught.

To help inspire the children to get creative with their designs, the pupils visited AkzoNobel’s new Ashington plant in the weeks leading up to the transformation to participate in a ‘colour masterclass’.

Officially opened by Ian Lavery MP, the newly decorated suite also includes the main hall, adjoining corridor and staircase and is the culmination of a four-month long project delivered by AkzoNobel as part of its Dulux Smarter Spaces initiative.

Dulux UK and Ireland creative director at AkzoNobel, Marianne Shillingford, said: “The most important thing to remember when enhancing a school environment is to create something beautiful and high-impact that both the teachers and the pupils will enjoy, but that will also be easy to maintain.

“Using the children’s mood boards as a foundation, the colour palette that we distilled for Central Primary School uses a range of colours to create a stimulating environment which is both functional yet playful… The finished result is truly spectacular!”

Dulux Smarter Spaces aims to improve teaching and learning environments through thoughtful, inclusive design.

Executive principal at Central Primary School, Andy Roberts, added: “We’re absolutely delighted with the work that AkzoNobel has done to freshen up our school and make it inspiring for the kids.

“At Central Primary School, we are passionate about STEM. One of the many ways we promote this throughout the school is by partnering with local businesses operating in STEM sectors to deliver creative projects which engage the children, but also teach them valuable skills which they can transfer into their other subjects.”