|
It has been an incredibly busy and inspiring week for our students, packed with national recognition and creative exploration. Three projects were selected to showcase at the Big Bang Competition Final in Birmingham, competing with 100 finalists. Our students excelled, bringing home both the ECITB Teamwork Award and a runner-up position for the Intermediate Science Award.
Beyond this success, our Year 12 creative students visited FACT Liverpool, exploring immersive installations to inspire 3D physical models. Year 10 students guided primary pupils through lab food tests alongside an inspiring Ignite gender equality project, and students experienced dentistry and medicine at the University of Liverpool.
|
|
|
|
Early School Closure
On Tuesday 23rd June, school will be closing at an earlier time of 3PM. This is due to an Options Evening Event for Ignite students and their parents/guardians. School will also close at the normal time of 3PM on Wednesday 24th June.
|
|
|
English After-School Provision
The following after-school provision is available for students. Sessions take place every Monday from 4:00 to 4:30PM.
Ignite and Year 10 students:
- 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.
Year 10 students only:
|
|
|
Supporting Lemmy’s World Scout Jamboree Fundraising Walk
One of our students, Lemmy, has been selected to attend the World Scout Jamboree in 2027 as part of the Merseyside Scouts contingent. The World Scout Jamboree is one of the most significant events in the global Scouting movement, bringing together thousands of young people from across the world to share friendship, adventure, skills and culture.
Lemmy is now fundraising to help make this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity possible. The money raised will go towards his own participation in the Jamboree, but will also help support Scouts from less fortunate countries so that they too can afford to take part.
On Sunday 7th June, as part of his fundraising, Lemmy took part in a sponsored walk with Merseyside Scouts, alongside other Scouts from across the Merseyside contingent. The Wirral Coastal Walk started at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton and finished at Wirral Country Park in Thurstaston, a distance of 20km.
Lemmy would be extremely grateful for any sponsorship or support you are able to give. Donations can be made here. Thank you for supporting Lemmy with this fantastic achievement and opportunity.
|
|
|
School and Sixth Form Highlights
|
|
Big Bang Competition Final
This year we submitted twelve projects to the Big Bang Competition and of those, three of our projects submitted were invited to showcase their work at the Big Bang Fair, at the NEC in Birmingham on Tuesday. This is the largest national STEM event, and we thoroughly enjoyed being able to participate.
The three projects invited were:
- Wettability of Plants – looking into the potential of using biomimicry of the hydrophobic properties of different plant leaves.
- Put a Jumper On! – looking into the structures of different insulators, and experiments investigating their effectiveness, and using SEM and EDX Analysis to identify historic paint composition for restoration.
- Worker Safety – looking into the chemical composition of different paint samples from historic buildings.
|
|
|
Despite an early start to get to Birmingham for 9AM, the students presented themselves very well. They displayed their project work and were extremely articulate in presenting their findings to others. All the students communicated brilliantly both at their stands and when going around the fair, both as individuals and in a group.
|
|
|
The competition had over 800 entries overall and around 100 finalists. Even with such steep competition, our students were brilliant with the Wettability of Plants winning the ECITB Teamwork Award, a special award that recognises the importance of teamwork and collaboration and celebrates young people working together to innovate and create solutions. In addition to this, Put a Jumper On! was runner-up for the Intermediate Science Award, one of the core prizes in the competition.
This was a brilliant day, and we look forward to seeing what projects our students work on next. Congratulations to our students on their incredible achievement.
|
|
|
|
FACT Liverpool Creatives Trip
On Wednesday, Year 12 creative students visited the 'Afterlife' exhibition at FACT, made by the artists Onlyslime (Toby Pfeil and Claudia Cox), which is an installation with gameplay and operatic elements.
After viewing and participating in the exhibition, students went to the Studio Lab to begin planning their own ideas for an installation based on the idea of designing their own "afterlife". In the next session, they will work with the artists directly to create 3D physical models of their plans.
|
|
|
|
|
Students Guide Young Scientists Through Food Group Discovery and Gender Inequality Project
This week, we had the pleasure of hosting New Park Primary School. They visited our state-of-the-art labs to complete food tests, as they have been working on the subject of nutrition in their science classes in school.
For this, there were four stations set up with a different test, and they had to complete the tests to identify the food group the unknown belonged to. They did this and recorded their information to identify all four samples that they had with the help of some of our Year 10 volunteers. Students were very careful when using the chemicals for testing and behaved impeccably in the lab.
|
|
|
In addition to the four food testing stations, a group of our Ignite students have been working on a project tacking gender inequality. They selected the idea inspired by Barbie and all the jobs she has had. Their project was to both inspire and educate young students and deal with working towards gender equality within our society and STEM careers. They spoke with the primary pupils about these issues and discussed their career plans.
|
|
|
|
Students Experience Dentistry, Medicine and Health Sciences at University of Liverpool
On Wednesday, Ignite students had a taste of university life when they had their first on-campus session of the Merseyside Young Healthcare and Life Sciences scheme at the Univerity of Liverpool. They enjoyed sessions in Dentistry, Medicine and Health Sciences, including filling a replica tooth, making a tooth from wax and meeting young people studying medicine.
Lizzie said, “I really enjoyed the trip because I had fun and learnt new things I didn’t know before. Also, I got to ask questions to help me with my pathway. I enjoyed every workshop I went to. I would love to go again."
Sidac shared, “Learning about the NHS was fun, and I felt I was good at the tasks we did. I learnt about Health Sciences, Medicine and Psychology. I am thankful for the day and hopeful that I will go again next year.”
|
|
|
|
In our Sixth Form, we specialise in the Life Sciences Pathway. Find out more here.
The Clinical Coder careers resource can be found here. To find out more about MyPath careers, click 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/guardians if needed.
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.
|
|
|
Opportunities Outside of School
|
|
St John's College University of Cambridge Workshops: For Year 12 Students
Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA) Workshop
This new residential programme focuses on the Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA) assessment, which applicants to Computer Science, Economics, and Mathematics courses at Cambridge and several other universities are required to sit.
Over two days, participants will attend Q&A sessions, workshops, and taster lectures delivered by Cambridge academics and guest speakers. Meals and accommodation will be provided by St John’s College.
When?
Saturday 12th - Sunday 13th September
Applications are open for Year 12 students who are on track to meet or exceed the entry requirements for the Cambridge course they are considering applying to Computer Science, Economics, or Mathematics. Applications close 8AM Friday 26th June.
You can find more details and eligibility criteria on the TMUA Workshop page.
|
|
|
St John's College University of Cambridge Medicine Taster Day: For Year 12 Students
This taster day is aimed at students who are considering applying to Cambridge’s Medical Sciences course, and are on track to meet or exceed the course’s entry requirements.
When?
On Saturday 12th September, students will attend Q&A sessions, mock ‘supervisions’, and taster lectures delivered by Cambridge academics.
You can find more details and eligibility criteria on their Medicine Taster Day page. Applications close at 8AM Friday 26th June.
|
|
|
Work Experience Opportunities: Sixth Form Students Only
|
|
Virtual Work Experience Springpod
Their free online work experience programme gives students a structured introduction to civil engineering and the different career paths within it. It’s flexible and self-paced, meaning students can complete it around their timetable, and it finishes with a certificate they can use for UCAS, CVs or apprenticeship applications.
Students explore:
- Real civil engineering projects and case studies.
- The roles involved in design, construction and sustainability.
- Core skills used in the industry.
- Pathways into engineering (university, apprenticeship and technician routes).
Find out more here.
|
|
|
Futures For All Work Experience Finder
Helping young people access real-world experiences, hear from inspirational speakers, and discover opportunities. Explore opportunities here.
|
|
|
Uptree Work Experience Events
Uptree partner with schools to provide engaging employer sessions, industry insight events and work experience opportunities that support students in developing essential skills, confidence and career readiness. To search for opportunities, click here.
|
|
|
Apprenticeship Opportunities
|
|
Unlocking Talent and Upskilling the Workforce with Speedy Hire
Learn what apprenticeships are and how they work in practice. Hear how apprenticeships can support long-term career progression and upskilling and get an insight into apprenticeship opportunities within Speedy Hire.
When?
2nd July 6–6.30PM
All student attendees will receive a certificate of participation as evidence of employer engagement. Register here.
|
|
|
The Essential Guide to Degree Apprenticeships
Degree apprenticeships offer an alternative route to university, combining study with paid, real-world experience. The Sixth Formers’ Guide to Degree Apprenticeships is an online resource showcasing opportunities with leading UK employers.
How can I stay up to date? Follow on Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest employer opportunities, application advice and degree apprenticeship updates.
|
|
|
Liverpool City Region Apprenticeship Vacancies
The Liverpool City Region has hundreds of apprenticeship opportunities for you to choose from, across many sectors and types of roles. Explore all vacancies here.
|
|
|
Access Industry
A leading apprenticeship provider is currently recruiting for a range of apprenticeship opportunities across growing sectors, including:
- Creative & Digital.
- Business & Leadership.
- Sport, teaching assistant & Active Leisure.
- Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Practitioner.
These programmes help students gain industry experience, develop future-ready skills, and progress into long-term careers.
Current apprenticeship vacancies can be viewed here.
|
|
|
|
Parents/Guardians Guide to University
Released this month by UniTasterDays, the 2026 edition is the biggest yet, featuring 115 pages of practical advice from more than 80 university and education experts. Parents/Guardians will be able to:
- Find open day travel scholarships
- Learn how to access student finance, funding and free money
- Understand the latest changes to the UCAS personal statement
- Pick up application tips from current university students
Read more here.
|
|
|
University Open Days
Great way to explore the facilities and decide whether studying there is a good fit. Explore all open days here.
|
|
|
Zero Tolerance of Abuse
Northern Schools Trust has a zero-tolerance approach to abusive language, violence, aggression or harassment towards employees, governors and volunteers.
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.
|
|
