{item_alt_tag}

This week was full of achievement, creativity, and hands-on learning across our school and the wider Northern Schools Trust. From national award wins to inspiring workshops, exciting field trips, and innovative classroom projects, our students and staff have been making the most of every opportunity to explore, discover, and grow.

Whether it’s unlocking the secrets of Roman history, solving mysteries with forensic science, or exploring the coastline through geography fieldwork, this week has truly showcased the energy and ambition that defines our community.

Read on to find out more about the incredible things happening both inside and outside our classrooms.

Now that the Year 13 exams have come to a close, Unifrog have two quick tasks they would recommend students complete whilst they wait for their results:

  1. This 2-minute video shows students how they can update the username on their account so they don’t get locked out of Unifrog after they leave.
  2. This 2-minute video encourages them to sign up to Unifrog’s Talent Pool; allowing University and Employer partners to get in touch with students if they have an opportunity (e.g. university courses, degree apprenticeships) that closely matches a student’s intended pathways of interest, intentions and skills set. This is ideal for any students that don’t get the grades they hoped, or for those that have changed their mind about a course they have applied for, as universities will reach out to them instead of them having to go through the clearing process.

Ms. Grattage Wins Prestigious National Teaching Award

On Friday, 27th June, Ms. Grattage attended the Classics For All Awards 2025 at the Leeds Royal Armouries as the winner of the Chris Pilcher Award for Up and Coming Teacher 2025. The awards evening was held to celebrate and recognise the transformative teaching of Classics across the UK.

{item_alt_tag}

To honour his memory, the Chris Pilcher Award is awarded to just one school every year, in special recognition of outstanding accomplishment in bringing Classics to young people in state schools, an endeavour to which Chris himself was amongst the most committed and successful.

This year was the first time the award has been given to a school outside of London and the South-East! Classics for All was extremely impressed by Ms. Grattage application and was excited to read about what she had achieved at The Studio School in such a short space of time.

{item_alt_tag}

As part of the event, she was invited to visit the new Gladiator exhibition at the Royal Armouries in Leeds and handle some Roman replicas. Miss Grattage was also asked to speak at the event about The Studio School and Liverpool Life Sciences, and the ambitious Classics programme we have in place for 2025-2026.

We would like to say a massive well done to Ms. Grattage for being awarded the up-and-coming teacher of the year by CEO of Classics for All, Joe Hobbs MBE and Chairman Jimmy Mulville, who also is managing director of Hat Trick Productions.

Roscoe Primary Microscope Session

The Year 5 class from Roscoe Primary School visited Liverpool Life Sciences UTC this week to take part in a workshop where they had to use microscopes to inspire their writing.

They first had a quick lesson on how to use the microscopes, then selected a sample and had to use descriptive language to fully write about their sample. The next part of the challenge got them to really stretch their imaginations as they then had to use the same sample to inspire their creative writing piece. It was lovely to hear their ideas from skate parks to snails and even the vastness of space.

This activity was very useful in encouraging the students to understand the value of communication skills in science. The students were extremely engaged and loved getting to have a chance to use the microscopes themselves.

{item_alt_tag}

Primary Students Step Into the World of Forensic Science

On Wednesday, 25th of June, a Year 4 class from one of the primary schools in our Trust (Northern Schools Trust) took part in a mini-crime scene investigation activity. We discussed how evidence is needed to prove that someone committed a crime and how that evidence is collected.

The first challenge was to match up the evidence on their worksheet to see who in Sesame Street stole the Cookie Monster's cookies. After that, they went on to take their footprint using the Bigfoot printer, which uses specific oils and paper to take imprints of footwear.

Students also learnt how to dust for fingerprints, and they also used inks to take their own fingerprints. These were made into keyrings that they took back to school after the session was over. Year 4 were very careful when gathering evidence, and we were very impressed with their understanding of the need for scientists in this role.

{item_alt_tag}
{item_alt_tag}

On Thursday, we had visitors from the Confucius Institute at Liverpool University who came to speak to Ignite about the history and cultural significance of chopsticks. The very interesting talk culminated in a relay race moving pink ornaments using chopsticks across the cinema; we had a fun time and the winners and participants took home a prize!

It’s been a good week of practical hands-on learning where students have acquired a useful life skill.

Geography Fieldwork at Wirral Country Park

On the 1st of July, Year 10 Geography students visited Wirral Country Park as part of their GCSE Paper 3 studies on coastal environments. Accompanied by Mr. Storey and Ms. Grattage, the trip provided a valuable opportunity to apply classroom learning in a real-world setting.

{item_alt_tag}

The morning was spent exploring the beach environment, where students observed different rock types and measured coastal erosion through the process of attrition. They also completed detailed field sketches to support their understanding of physical geography.

In the afternoon, the group travelled to New Brighton. After lunch, students carried out environmental quality surveys to investigate aspects of human geography, such as urban planning and environmental conditions.

The trip was a great success, with students enjoying the chance to work outdoors and develop their fieldwork skills. Experiencing geography first hand helped bring the subject to life and supported their learning for next year’s exams.

Innovative Design and Technology with Year 10

We have been making clocks with Year 10, fusing together 3D printing and laser cutting, designed in Autodesk Fusion.

{item_alt_tag}
{item_alt_tag}

The Liverpool City Region Be More Guide to Options for School Leavers

Reaching the end of school is an exciting chapter, but it can also feel overwhelming as school-leavers step into the next phase of their lives.

Whether you’re 16 and finishing your GCSEs, or 18 and ready to take the next step after A-levels, there are more opportunities than you might think.  Most of you will have already made your choices about what you’re doing next. But if you’re still deciding your post-school path or waiting on results day before making a decision, don’t worry. There will be plenty of opportunities available for everyone, regardless of your goals or grades.

Choices at 16: Staying in education

  • Do A-Levels at your current school
  • Do A-Levels at another school
  • Attend a local college to study A-Levels
  • Attend a local college to study T-Levels
  • BTECs or other vocational courses

Choices at 16: Combining study and work

  • Apprenticeships

Choices at 18: Higher Education

  • University
  • Gap year

Choices at 18: Alternatives to University

  • Higher apprenticeships or degree apprenticeships
  • Start a job
  • Volunteering or internships

If you would like to find out more, click here.

Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust need new governors to help support and shape the hospital and its services

Would you like to make a difference and help shape the future of women's and babies' services at Liverpool Women's? Representing the interests of members and helping shape the Trust's plans?

{item_alt_tag}

They have 6 Public Seats available in the following constituencies:

  • Central Liverpool
  • Knowsley
  • North Liverpool
  • Rest of England and Wales.

The closing date for entries is Thursday 24 July 2025. If you are interested in becoming a Governor call Daniel Scheffer, Company Secretary on 0151 702 4033 or email for more information. Alternatively, apply online today.

Blackburn House Education Course Offering

This September, get inspired and transform your life with a qualification from Blackburn House.

The following courses are available:

  • Health & Care
  • Education & Trainong
  • Childcare & Youth Work
  • Counselling
  • Complementary Therapies
  • English & Maths
  • ESOL & Inerpreting

If you would like more information, please email Nahima Begum.

{item_alt_tag}

Researching Degree Apprenticeships - Summer Checklist

As the summer break approaches, Year 12 students have a valuable opportunity to explore their future pathways. The Sixth Formers’ Guide to Degree Apprenticeships explains how degree apprenticeships offer an ‘earn as you learn’ debt-free route to the graduate job market.

The guide includes interviews with current degree apprentices, expert advice from employers, and features on degree apprenticeships in areas like engineering, law and accountancy. It’s an excellent resource for students to use during the holidays, helping them understand what degree apprenticeships can provide – and plan their next steps.

{item_alt_tag}

Free Online University Taster Sessions: Interested in studying Business, Law or Social Sciences at university?

Bangor University is offering free, online taster sessions to give you a feel for what studying these subjects at university is really like.

Each one-hour session is delivered online by university lecturers and gives you the chance to take part in thought-provoking topics and discussions.

Upcoming sessions include:

  • Can AI Teach You Business Management?
  • War as a Driver of Serial Killing?
  • The Gender Pay Gap: Glass Ceilings, Discrimination, or Personal Decisions?
  • Beyond the Courtroom: What Can You Do with a Law Degree?
  • Crime in the Life Cycle
  • Totalitarianism Unveiled: Arendt’s Warning to the Modern World
    …and many more!

Whether you’ve applied to university or are still deciding, these sessions are a great way to explore your options and experience university style teaching - Click here to register. 

Last chance to enhance your AI skills

This exclusive 20 minute on-demand assembly, hosted by early careers and  AI experts, will inspire and educate students on how to use AI to upskill, boost their employability, and explore apprenticeships. 

Make the most of exclusive access and share AI skills for life - click here to find out more.

Why use this video resource?

  1. Completely free resource
  2. Created with Microsoft AI experts
  3. Engaging and informative - perfect for all students of all levels

Employer guide: Exciting apprenticeship opportunities

An increasing number of school leavers with strong GCSEs and A-levels are opting for apprenticeships over other routes into employment. 

Click here to find out more.

{item_alt_tag}
{item_alt_tag}

The Girls' Network

The Girls' Network offers mentoring to girls and young women aged 14-19, helping them build their confidence, self-belief, and a more positive vision of the future. Mentors work with girls to explore their aspirations, provide insights into different careers, and share their own experiences of the world of work. Find out more here.

Hollywood Bowl Group: Hospitality Degree Apprenticeship 2025

  • The Opportunity

An exciting 3-year Hospitality Apprentice Programme where you’ll gain real-world experience in a dynamic industry while working towards a BA (Hons) Degree in Applied Leadership and Management, tailored specifically to the hospitality sector.

  • Entry Requirements

Predicted, or achieved 112 UCAS points, which is equivalent to 3 A Levels (grade C or above) OR A recognised Level 3 Qualification ALSO experience in a customer-facing role to set you up for success from the start

  • Who is it for?

Whether you're finishing school or already working in hospitality and looking to develop your leadership potential, this is your opportunity to combine academic learning with practical experience. 

Click here to find out more information.

Hot Jobs

Junior Social Media Content Creator (Remote, 0 years experience) - Click here to find out more.

Junior Licencing Artist (London, 0 years experience) - Click here to find out more.

Over 170 jobs have been posted since Hitmarkers last newsletter -Click here to check them out.

Looking for Independent AI Learning: How and When to Use AI in Your Job Search

Responsible AI

From chatbots answering your late-night questions to meme generators making your group chats pop, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere. But how does it all work, and how do we make sure it’s used responsibly? This module will take you behind the scenes of AI, exploring data security, privacy, and ethics—plus a few Microsoft tools that make it all happen. Launch module here.

{item_alt_tag}

AI Fundamentals

Breaks down the magic behind Artificial Intelligence and shows you how it’s reshaping the way we work, create, and solve problems. We’ll also explore how AI is changing day-to-day tasks and how you can use it in your future careers. Launch module here.

Using AI for Career Preparation

Using AI for Career Preparation! In this module, you’ll discover how AI tools can become your time saver for career research, CV building, and networking. By the end, you’ll not only understand how AI can enhance your career prep but you’ll also have the practical skills to make it happen. Launch module here.

Using AI for Interview and Assessment Preparation

Using AI for Interview and Assessment Preparation! This module is designed to show you how AI tools can support your journey to becoming interview-ready, helping you refine your skills, craft standout responses, and boost your confidence. By the end, you'll have actionable insights into leveraging AI for career advancement. Launch module here.

Word of the Week - Meticulous

Definition - Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.

From Latin: metus "fear"

Usage - "The book is the result of years of meticulous work."

Vaping – We would like to remind you that we do not allow students to bring items such as cigarettes, lighters, matches or e-cigarettes/ vapes into school.

Zero Tolerance of Abuse - The NST has a zero-tolerance approach to abusive language, violence, aggression or harassment towards employees, governors and volunteers.

{item_alt_tag}