By Russell Sauntry, School Lead at Carbon 6 Academy of Science
Here’s what drives me: I don’t see why young people in other parts of the world should have opportunities that ours don’t. Why shouldn’t Kent have world-class science and maths education, accessible to everybody?
I grew up in Partington, a large estate outside Manchester. Opportunities were limited. Talent wasn’t. Education was my way forward. Thirty eight years ago, I arrived in Kent as a student. Now I’m building Carbon 6 to ensure the next generation can find world-class STEM education, right here at home.
Why Carbon 6? Why now?
Carbon 6 isn’t just another sixth form. Yes, we’re specialists. Yes, we’re focused on STEM. But this isn’t an elitist project – it’s an egalitarian one. This is about providing the young people of East Kent with world-class facilities. If you have exceptional ability in STEM and the passion to pursue it, this is your opportunity, no matter where you’re from or what your background is.
Being located at Discovery Park – Sandwich’s science and technology business hub – gives our students access to advanced equipment such as robotics kits and 3D printers. Discovery Park’s onsite companies will also deliver guest lectures and workplacements for students, providing access and connections to billion-dollar multinational companies and innovative start-ups.
I want young people across Kent to come to the site to be inspired by science and technology. This is about putting Kent back on the map for the people of Kent. I want local people to know that we have exciting industries at the forefront of innovation, and inspire young talent to grow, stay and thrive here.
What’s in a name?
Carbon is the sixth element in the periodic table and the chemical backbone of life. All known life on Earth uses carbon as a fundamental building block thanks to its stability and versatility in making bonds with other elements and atoms. Carbon itself has thousands of uses – the pencils in your desk, the diamonds in your jewellery and even high performance carbon nanotubes unlocking innovation across all sectors, from energy storage and medicine.
The name Carbon 6 reflects our vision for young people. Stability and versatility. A solid foundation. Thousands of possible futures unlocked by one inspirational sixth form.
The impact of education
Over my 25 year career in education leadership, I have always pushed to change the status quo and ask for better. I head up Amelix Entrepreneurship Academy, a Canterbury-based college that teaches real entrepreneurial skills, creating genuine businesses and setting pupils up for life through Amelix Education Resources.
I’ve seen firsthand how the right education can be transformational. I had one student who’d been through four secondary schools, including a private one. After one week of attending the Entreprepreneurship Academy, the student’s dad came home from work to find his son excited about school for the first time in five years. His dad went upstairs and cried, then phoned me in tears.
That young man is now a successful sales executive. He’s one of my strongest supporters, sharing everything we do. That’s what makes it worthwhile. When a student thanks you in their dissertation or when a parent tells you you’ve changed their family’s life. Those relationships matter and the impact of teaching matters, and that is the passion I am bringing to Carbon 6.
By uniting education and industry, this is the UK’s first specialist science and maths sixth form to be embedded within an existing scientific park. Carbon 6 is designed for young people with exceptional abilities in STEM who need something more than the standard offering. They need world-class facilities. They want industry connections. They need to be challenged. They need to be stretched.
But we’re not just producing brilliant scientists who can’t function in the real world, we will also bring entrepreneurial skills and wrap-around pastoral care. You might be brilliant at science, but in the modern world, you need to be a rounded person who understands business, can build relationships, and who is looking to make a difference in the world.
The vision
I’m not interested in being a millionaire. That’s not my driver. What I want is to sit on a bench with my dog when I’m retired and say, “I built that.”
Carbon 6 is a school for tomorrow’s leaders. In 20 years’ time, I hope to reflect back on the incredible academy we’ve built and follow former pupils who have developed new cancer treatments, pioneered sustainable energy solutions, or led breakthrough research in their fields.
Thirty years ago, Kent gave me my opportunity. Now it’s time to make sure every talented young person in this county has theirs – right here, at Carbon 6.
Register now for the Carbon 6 open evening on Thursday 27th November: https://discovery-park.co.uk/carbon-6-open-evening/