ALL school across Somerset are being encouraged to apply for a £500 grant.

The National Grid is offering £500 for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) equipment to all state-funded primary and secondary schools in the county.

National Grid’s Hinkley Connection Project will connect sources of low carbon energy, including Hinkley Point C, to the UK’s electricity network. As part of its commitment to encouraging the next generation of engineers, National Grid has set up an education fund for schools in areas that will be affected by the project.

237 schools were awarded grants in 2018, with more than 55,000 pupils benefitting.

The Redstart Primary School in Chard spent their grant on six advanced, programmable floor robots for children in Key Stage 2 to use.

Teacher, Roger Hunt says, “The children have loved working with their new InO-Bots. Their programming skills have deepened dramatically, and their enthusiasm has been wonderful to see. The application process was very easy, and I’d encourage all schools to apply.”

The National Grid says it has written to all schools with the details.

The deadline to apply is February 14.

If your school hasn't applied yet, visit hinkleyconnection.co.uk/education/.