Students, parents and teachers gathered at the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) centre as Camborne Science and International Academy welcomed the new Nexus year seven and eight upils.

Director of Nexus and the Gifted STEM programme, Dr Joanna Foster, said: "The opening of Nexus and the Gifted STEM programme marks a huge step forward in provision for the most able students in Cornwall. The wealth of co-curricular activities offer unparalleled opportunities for all young people at CSIA, including robotics, astronomy, mandarin and enrichment mathematics. Our sixth form students will work alongside research teams from top universities like Cambridge and Bristol and we have established collaborations with some of the top mathematics and science schools worldwide. We believe that the opportunities offered through Nexus cannot be matched at

any UK school, state or independent.”

Also in attendance was former CEO of the National Association of Gifted Children in education

(NACE) and current education advisor, Hilary Lowe, who gave a presentation that highlighted how CSIA is rising to the challenge of provision for the most able students. She described Nexus as "visionary, focused and pragmatic; principled innovation within the comprehensive ideal.”

The Gifted STEM Programme is unique within the UK and designed to challenge and engage the most able students of these subjects and those who are passionate about science, technology and maths. Students enrolled in the programme will spend two full days a week at Nexus and the remaining time fully integrated in school life and other subjects at CSIA's main campus.

Nexus is a community hub for STEM and offers a huge programme of opportunities for primary school pupils and year 11 students. Facilities at Nexus, including the co-curricular programme, are available to all CSIA students. The Gifted STEM Programme is available to the students of CSIA through an aptitude test and interview process that will be held annually.