At Hulme Grammar, we’re proud to celebrate this year’s Manchester Science Festival with the launch of the Brenda Mills Institute of Innovation and Technology(BMIIT) — an exciting new initiative that champions creativity, discovery and excellence in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics).
By connecting students with experts and emerging technologies, BMIIT empowers the next generation to innovate, lead, and make a lasting impact.
Made possible through a generous legacy gift from former Hulme teacher Brenda Mills, the Institute honours her pioneering spirit as one of the school’s earliest champions of STEM in the 1950s and 1960s. Brenda inspired countless pupils — especially young women — to explore mathematics and science, and her legacy now lives on through this lasting investment in future innovators.
Our vision for the Brenda Mills Institute is to create a hub for outstanding STEAM education at our independent school in Oldham, building on our strong academic results while opening doors to new experiences through partnerships with leading universities and industry partners.
The Institute launches with Honorary Fellowships from academics at Oxford, Imperial, Manchester, Aberdeen and St Andrews, as well as partnerships with major organisations including LinkedIn, Hilti, Purple, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Diodes and SpaceInvader.
To mark the launch, we’re hosting a week-long Festival of Science as part of the Manchester Science Festival, bringing together schools and experts from across Oldham and Greater Manchester.
Tuesday: Dr Tom Ward, Senior Scientist at XCellR8, joins us to talk about ethical testing and research in biology, alongside the Oldham Young Scientist Competition, where Year 11 pupils from local schools take on a series of chemistry challenges.
Wednesday: In partnership with Oldham Athletic FC and Hulme alumnus Darren Royle, our Sixth Formers will join students from Oldham Sixth Form College, Crompton House and Blue Coat for the Debating Matters Competition, exploring topics such as digital privacy and populism and democracy.
Thursday: The Primary Engineer Challenge returns, with pupils from Friezland, Coppice, Hulme and Lyndhurst Primary Schools designing and testing creative engineering projects with support from Diodes Incorporated.
Friday: We’ll host an online Q&A with Dr Darren Kilroy, Medical Director at The Countess of Chester NHS Foundation Trust and BMIIT Fellow, exploring the future of healthcare and how technology is transforming patient care.
Principal Kirsten Pankhurst said:
“The Brenda Mills Institute is a remarkable addition to our school and to Oldham’s educational landscape. It will nurture excellence in our classrooms while opening doors for children across the region to engage with science, technology, the arts and innovation in inspiring ways.”
Dr Darren Kilroy, BMIIT Fellow and Medical Director at The Countess of Chester NHS Foundation Trust, added:
“There’s an extraordinary range of opportunities across the STEAM subjects. The Brenda Mills Institute at Hulme Grammar will help young people see how their passions and talents can find a place within these fields — sparking curiosity and shaping the innovators of tomorrow.”
At Hulme Grammar, we’re committed to inspiring the next generation of thinkers, creators and leaders — not just within our classrooms, but across the wider community. The Brenda Mills Institute of Innovation and Technology is another step forward in making that vision a reality.