STEAM at The Lyceum School
At The Lyceum, we believe that learning should spark curiosity, creativity and confidence. Our STEAM programme is central to that belief. STEAM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths, gives our pupils a chance to explore, discover, experiment and invent. It isn’t just about knowledge. It is about connecting ideas, solving real problems, and growing as young people who are ready for an ever-changing world.
Meet Mr Paul Clifford: The creative mind behind STEAM at The Lyceum
Mr Paul Clifford is our Head of STEAM. He is a qualified teacher, a maker and a creative technologist. Before coming to The Lyceum, he worked in the cultural and heritage sector as the Digital Learning Manager at the British Museum and the Museum of London, and as Schools Officer at the V&A. He has designed, delivered and evaluated many learning programmes and projects. His experience shapes how we do STEAM here.
Recently we’ve conducted a Q&A with Paul and here’s what he said:
What is STEAM?
Paul explains that STEAM is an interdisciplinary approach which brings together Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths. It is holistic, aiming to foster creativity and critical thinking, as well as emphasising how these fields connect. Our STEAM lessons are not separate silos. They weave together. Children see how art complements engineering, or how maths and technology can solve design challenges. Through STEAM education we aim to grow resilient, creative problem-solvers who are ready for future challenges.
What excites you most about your role at The Lyceum School?
For Paul, the role is many-sided. It involves innovation, old and new technologies, real life learning, and applying the latest ideas about how children learn. What excites him most is working with our pupils to build “powerful and exciting learning opportunities”. He enjoys guiding them with care, so that they feel free to experiment and stretch themselves without fear of failure.
What projects do the kids do during their year?
Here STEAM really comes alive. Pupils take part in a wide range of projects, where the focus may shift between one or two STEAM subjects while linking with other parts of the curriculum.
For example they might build a remote-controlled Mars rover capable of navigating terrain like that on Mars. In another project they design and build a musical instrument that uses simple circuits to trigger musical programmes. They have made mechanical automaton toys. They have designed, pitched and made their own inventions in Dragon’s Den style. They have created geometric art with code. Paul emphasises that we don’t limit pupils to what we plan. We give them agency, so they can propose projects of their own, pursue ideas they care about, and push creative boundaries.
How do you assess STEAM learning?
Assessment in STEAM is broader than exams or content recall. We look at critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, problem-solving, how pupils apply what they learn in new ways. We use Google Classroom to set and assess projects, observing the work pupils produce, their presentations, self and peer assessment. We also observe how pupils work together. Everything goes into a rubric in Google Classroom so we can see development over time.
Where will STEAM at The Lyceum be in three years?
Paul’s vision is ambitious and inspiring. In three years he believes The Lyceum will be an international champion of STEAM learning. The “Lyceum model” will have evolved to make use of new technologies, materials and techniques so we continue to redefine what STEAM learning is capable of and the kinds of extraordinary learning opportunities we offer pupils.
Why STEAM matters at The Lyceum
STEAM does more than just teach facts or techniques. At The Lyceum it nurtures confidence, curiosity and resilience. Pupils learn that trial and error is normal. They see that failure can lead to improvement. They learn to plan, test, reconsider, and improve. The skills they build are transferable: teamwork, creative thinking, adaptability and problem solving.
The STEAM room, which our pupils have christened “The Owlery”, is designed to be flexible, free-flowing and future-focused, children have space to think, to tinker, to imagine. The Minecraft inspired tree in the room is not just decoration. It reflects our belief that learning should be playful, inspiring and rooted in real worlds.
Projects like building a Mars rover or making a musical instrument do more than teach science or engineering. They build confidence in public speaking when pupils pitch their ideas. They build technical skills when pupils work with circuits or code. They build self-belief when pupils lead their own project.
These are qualities we want all our children to leave with – not just readiness for senior school, but readiness for life.
STEAM in daily life at The Lyceum
You will see STEAM everywhere at our school. Children in all year groups have access to STEAM learning, both in lessons and through extra-curricular work. Our curriculum is designed so that STEAM links with other subjects – so that the art room, the science lab, technology and engineering tools, maths puzzles, design and making all feed into each other. Pupils present their work, explain their solutions, reflect on what worked and what didn’t, and share with their classmates.
We believe that being in a co-educational independent school gives our pupils even more from STEAM. Boys and girls work together on these hands-on projects. They bring different perspectives. They learn from one another. They grow both in skill and in character.
Attend Our Open Day
Curious to learn more about STEAM at The Lyceum? Join one of our Open Days to explore our modern building, meet our lovely staff and feel the energy of our school community. You’ll get a real sense of what makes our independent co-ed school so special.
Can’t make it to an Open Day? No problem. Just contact our team to book a private tour.
📧 Email: registrar@lyceumschool.co.uk 📞 Phone: +44 (0)20 7247 1588
Final thoughts
STEAM at The Lyceum is more than an extra subject. It is part of who we are. It is a belief that learning should engage the mind and the imagination. It is how we help pupils become not just knowledgeable but inventive, resilient, and empowered.
If you are looking for a school that values creativity and scientific thinking, where pupils build, experiment, imagine and lead, then The Lyceum’s STEAM programme offers something special. We invite you to come and see it in action, meet Paul Clifford and the rest of our staff, and experience what makes The Lyceum a place where STEAM learning really flourishes.
