Brenda Mills Institute of Innovation & Technology

The Brenda Mills Institute for Innovation and Technology at Hulme Grammar School is dedicated to equipping young people with the skills and mindset to shape the future.

Named in honour of former Maths teacher Brenda Mills, the Institute fosters STEAM literacy through hands-on learning, industry collaboration, and real-world problem-solving.

By connecting students with experts and emerging technologies, it empowers the next generation to innovate, lead, and make a lasting impact.

ABOUT BMIIT

Named in recognition and as a lasting legacy of Hulme Grammar School’s former Maths teacher, Brenda Mills, the Institute’s founding benefactor.

Anchored in the belief that STEAM literacy is a cornerstone of success in the modern world, the Institute is committed to equipping pupils with the skills, knowledge, and mindset needed to thrive in an increasingly technological and digital landscape.

OUR PURPOSE

Central to the Institute’s mission will be its commitment to experiential learning through seminars, workshops, and hands-on projects.

By providing students with opportunities to engage directly with cutting-edge technologies and methodologies, the Institute will empower them to become active participants in the innovation process.

Biology

Chemistry

Physics

Art and Design

Computer Science

Design and Technology

Drama

Further Mathematics

Music

A FUSION OF EXPERTISE AND YOUTHFUL ENTHUSIASM

I am honoured and excited to lead the Brenda Mills Institute for Innovation and Technology (BMIIT) at Hulme Grammar School, a pioneering initiative that will equip young people in Oldham with the skills, mindset, and confidence to shape the future. By linking education with industry, the Institute will connect world experts, researchers, and businesses with the creativity and ambition of our students, providing them with the tools to turn ideas into real-world impact.

Through hands-on experiences, collaboration, and cutting-edge research, students will not only develop technical expertise but also the critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for the modern world. Whether tackling challenges in AI, engineering, or data science, or debating the ethical implications of emerging technologies, they will be active participants in the innovation process, prepared to lead and adapt in a rapidly evolving landscape.

By fostering a culture of curiosity and collaboration, we will build a community of pioneers who will not just thrive in the digital age but help define it. I look forward to seeing the impact our students will have as they shape a brighter, more innovative future.

Mark Jones

Deputy Principal Academic

1. Engaging Seminars

2. Workshops

3. Hands on Projects

4. Industry Engagement

BMIIT FELLOWS – THOUGHT LEADERSHIP IN STEAM SUBJECTS

BMIIT Fellows provide advice, guidance and thought leadership to the Institute. We are fortunate to benefit from their expertise while pupils can learn first-hand in their BMIIT seminars

Jenny Lunn – Director of Publications, American Geophysical Union

Professor Pete Etchells – Psychology & Communication, Bath Spa University

Dr Ekta Patel – Translational Scientist at Drugs Discovery Catapult

Dr Darren Kilroy – Emergency Medicine, Countess of Chester NHS Trust

Professor David Ferrier – Marine Biologist, University of St Andrews

Dr Shobna Gulati, MBE DL – Actor, Writer, Presenter, Dancer

Dr Clara Barker – Material Scientist, University of Oxford —

Dr Chris Wareing – Theoretical and Computational Fluid Dynamics

BMIIT JUNIOR FELLOW – BRINGING FRESH PERSPECTIVES IN STEAM

BMIIT Fellows provide advice, guidance and thought leadership to the Institute. We are fortunate to benefit from their expertise while pupils can learn first-hand in their BMIIT seminars.

Phoebe Dickson – Statistical Genetics PhD, University of Bristol

Amy Thompson – Political Science PhD, University of Oxford

Abbie Zalesskaya – Financial Mathematics PhD, University of Manchester

George Spencer – Machine Learning for Bioprocess Optimisation PhD at Imperial

BMIIT Industry partners are organisations that collaborate with the institute to create projects, initiatives and programmes that shapes experiences, learning and research for the next generation.

.imagestyle1 { position: relative; top: -50px; }