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This week celebrated culture, curiosity, and achievement. Arabic Week featured oud musician Ahmed Al-Yahri, who shared music and heritage, while Ignite students explored honey, bees, and Arabic spices under microscopes. Sixth Form students were recognised for outstanding effort and attendance. In science, Year 10 investigated iridescence, leaf water resistance, and insects with museum samples, inspiring Gothic English writing and a unique ant colony study by one of our Year 10 students.

Latest News

Year 11 English Masterclasses

Students are able to attend the following dates for English support with Miss Connolly in the Cinema. Each session will focus on a specific area. All sessions take place on Wednesdays from 3:00–3:45 pm.

  • 28th January: Moving from a Grade 4 to 5 in English Language

  • 11th March: Tips to secure Grade 7+ in English Language

  • 18th March: How to write thoughtfully in Literature (for students aiming for Grade 6)

  • 25th March: How to secure a Grade 4 in English Language – resit students welcome

English After-School Provision

Our English department is pleased to offer the following after-school provision for students. They will take place every Monday from 4–4.30pm:

  • Library with Mr Corner – come along and borrow books from our extensive selection.  There will also be a space to read quietly.
  • Culture Club with Mr Murphy – gain a deeper understanding of what is going on in the world, develop your general knowledge and expand your viewpoints and perspectives

For Year 10 only:

  • Support with GCSE content with Miss Jackson 

For Year 11 students only:

  • Target grade 7+ revision with Miss Connolly
  • Target grade 5+ revision with Miss Manzoor
  • Target grade 4+ revision with Mr Mackenzie
  • Grammar and writing development support with Miss Gymnopoulou *This intervention will be particularly helpful for those students whose first language is not English

High-Tech Water Fountains and Reusable Bottles

In school, we have new high-tech water fountains for students to fill their bottles. Students are advised to bring a reusable bottle into school each day if they wish to use this facility. Staying hydrated throughout the day is important for concentration and wellbeing, and using a reusable bottle helps reduce plastic waste.

School Highlights

Bringing Arabic Culture to Life

As part of our Arabic Week celebrations, students had the privilege of welcoming Ahmed Al-Yahri, an accomplished oud musician from Qatar, for a memorable live performance. Ahmed not only showcased his remarkable musical talent but also spoke to students about his home country and the rich heritage of traditional Arabic music, bringing language and culture to life beyond the classroom. 

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Ignite students had a lesson on the importance of honey in Arabic cuisine and culture, including looking at bees and pollen in the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and another lesson exploring the spices used in Arabic cookery by research and by observation in the SEM and light microscopes.

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Outstanding Achievement and Attendance in Sixth Form

This week, the Sixth Form Team are proud to recognise students in Years 12 and 13 who have demonstrated outstanding commitment through both their achievement and attendance.

  • Year 12 Student of the Week (Achievement): Ade – for consistent effort and a positive approach to learning.
  • Year 13 Student of the Week (Achievement): Holly – for excellent progress and dedication to their studies.
  • Year 12 Attendee of the Week: Adam – for exemplary attendance and reliability throughout the week.
  • Year 13 Attendee of the Week: Wren – for maintaining excellent attendance and setting a great example to others.

 Well done to all students recognised this week, keep up the fantastic work!

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This Week's Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEM)

It has been another exciting week on the SEM with several major projects now underway. Groups in Year 10 have been looking at examples of iridescence in nature and the different ways in which leaves are water resistant. We enjoyed a visit from the entomology curators at The World Museum, who brought with them samples from the museum collection for the adaptive morphology in insects project. It is a huge privilege for our students to have access to these samples, and we are very grateful to Tony Hunter for helping with this access. The curators were very impressed by our students, and Frank’s encyclopaedic knowledge of ant behaviour led to a lively academic discussion.

It has been a busy week, and our thanks as always go to Dr Alex Ball, Ramona Szalczinger, Hitachi, IRIS, The Natural History Museum and the Royal Microscopical Society for making this fantastic opportunity available to our students.

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Exploring the Gothic: Where Science Meets Literature

We have also enjoyed a curriculum English lesson for Ignite students on Gothic literature; what makes something gothic? In a lab decorated with gothic artefacts,  we looked at samples such as feathers, butterfly wings, skulls and a jawbone in the SEM and on the light microscopes and thought of adjectives to describe these items. The students then used these words to make a creative writing piece in the gothic style.

Year 10 Student Brings Ant Colony to Life

Frank, in Year 10, brought in an amazing sample: a Queen ant, her egg, and the first-generation worker who hatched from the egg. Dr Mitchell said she doesn't think she's ever learnt so much in such a short time.  

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Queen

Egg

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Ist generation worker (upside down, head bottom right)

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Find out more about our Engineering Pathway here.

Sickness procedure

From a safeguarding perspective, students who indicate they are feeling unwell will not be sent out of class as an unwell/injured student unaided may faint on the stairs or corridor. Staff will call first aid and first aid will go to the student. Students should not contact home themselves when they are unwell; staff will call parents if needed.

Opportunities Outside of School

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Half Term Careers in STEM Course

There is a £50 fee attached to the course but they do have fully funded places for eligible students – you can view the criteria here.  Students will just need to tick a box on the application form to apply for one.

The course will take students 20 hours to complete at their own pace over the February Half Term 16th-21st. Students will only be required to attend a minimum of one of the live STEM Professional panel sessions, the rest are compulsory and recordings can be viewed at a time that is convenient for them.

To register, click here.

Apprenticeship Opportunities

1. Apprenticeship Genius FREE apprenticeship preparation and work-experience programme

Exciting opportunity for Year 12 students in partnership with leading STEM employers and Russell Group universities.

This programme is designed specifically for Year 12 students who are considering degree or non-degree apprenticeship routes, particularly in STEM and Finance.

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2. A&O Shearman – Solicitor Apprenticeship

  • Location: London (Bishops Square – hybrid working)
  • Start date: Autumn 2026
  • Application deadline: 18 February 2026 at 5pm

About the programme

Across the six years, apprentices will gain experience across a range of legal departments, including Finance, Corporate, Disputes, and ENRI (Energy, Natural Resources & Infrastructure).

  • Four days per week spent working on real projects, live deals, and client cases
  • One day per week dedicated to study with BPP University
  • Work towards an LLB (Hons) Law and Legal Practice and a Solicitor Level 7 Apprenticeship

Entry requirements

  • AAB at A-level (or equivalent)
  • 7 GCSEs at grade 6 or above, including Maths and English
    (Mitigating circumstances will be considered)

To find out more, click here.

University Opportunities

1. BA (Hons) Youth Work degree at Liverpool John Moores University

Liverpool John Moores University launched their BA (Hons) Youth Work degree in 2025. They are now recruiting for their second intake, due to begin in May. This is a Level 6 degree apprenticeship. BA (Hons) Youth Work | Undergraduate course | Liverpool John Moores University

On successful completion, learners will achieve a BA (Hons) degree alongside professional Youth Work (JNC) status. As an apprenticeship route, learners must be employed, and the course can be funded through the apprenticeship levy. Their team is happy to support organisations with funding queries and the application process.

Online Webinars:

Meet the programme team and current students, and to discuss the course content, funding arrangements, and the commitment required.

When? Tuesday 27th January, 4:00 – 5:00 pm - Join here.

Career Opportunities

1. February FREE Career Webinars for all Industries

  • Nestle Apprenticeships

When? 4th February, 12.30pm - register here.

  • National Gas, What’s it like to be an apprentice? 

When? 10th February, 6pm - register here.

  • Scottish Power Powering the Future

When? 11th February, 6pm - register here.

  • Bechtel, Women in Science

When? 1th February, 12.30pm - register here.

  • Davidsons Homes, National Apprenticeship Week

When? 2nd February, 9am - register here.

Work Experience Opportunities

1. Google Marketing Career Challenge Virtual

Who? Years 7-9

Years? 28th January at 4.30pm

Want to be a Youtuber? Dig into the data sources that could make you go viral! This session includes a 45 minute briefing with the Google team, then a career challenge that can be completed at a student's own pace. Students can register on this link.

2. Google Marketing Career Challenge Virtual

Who? Years 10-11

When? 29th January at 5.00pm

Whether you’re curious about how AI works, love solving problems, or enjoy creative thinking, this is your chance to see how data and marketing science helps make the digital world more exciting — and imagine how you could use these skills to shape the future. This session includes a 45 minute briefing with the Google team, then a career challenge that can be completed at a student's own pace. Students can register on this link.

3. Physics Work Experience - Unveristy of Liverpool, Department of Physics 

The University of Liverpool’s Department of Physics offers a one-week work experience placement for Year 12 students interested in studying physics. The 2026 placement runs from 29th June–3rd July and provides insight into university-level physics and careers in research.

Students will take part in lectures, team activities, lab and research group visits (nuclear, particle, and condensed matter physics), a group research project, and a visit to Daresbury Laboratory. The week is supported by staff and students involved in world-leading research.

Applications close at 23:59 on Sunday 22nd March, with decisions by 10th April. Students who do not meet the eligibility criteria may still enquire if they are 16 or older.

Apply here.

Personal Electronic Devices Policy Reminder

All personal electronic devices, including mobile phones, are not permitted to be used during the school day. We expect all devices to be switched off and kept out of sight during lessons unless the pupil is using the device as part of a lesson with the permission of their class teacher.

Mobile phones will be confiscated if they are seen, heard or used during the school day unless a pupil has been given permission. The headteacher will determine the length of time they deem proportionate for confiscation.

Career Guides to Help People in the Liverpool City Region Make the Best Career Decisions: Life Sciences

The life sciences sector advances understanding of living organisms, improving healthcare and the environment. It combines research with technologies like gene editing, AI, and bioinformatics to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease. From medicines and vaccines to sustainable food and environmental protection, careers span pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, genetics, zoology, and environmental science, shaping the future of human, animal, and planetary health globally.

Read more here. 

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Waterside Training Open Event

Thursday 29 January, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Waterside Training.

During this event, they will be launching their application form for 2026 apprenticeship recruitment. Any prospective apprentices who apply will then be invited to attend initial assessments and first-stage interviews, which will also be held at Waterside Training.

In the coming weeks, all of our apprenticeship vacancies will be published on their website. Candidates who successfully pass the initial assessments and first-stage interviews will be put forward for the relevant vacancies as they become available.

Register here.

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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.

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