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In this week's newsletter we celebrate the brilliant work, hands-on learning, and community involvement that has happened across our schools.

Discover how our students are putting theory into practice, from conducting advanced laboratory analysis and mastering technical skills to solving real-world design challenges. We also highlight the exciting cross-curricular projects inspiring our younger year groups, alongside the valuable links we continue to build with local partners and industry professionals.

School and Sixth Form Highlights

T-Level Science: Hands-On Laboratory Analysis Supported by Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine

Our brand-new T-level Science cohort were tasked with estimating the protein content of a range of different milks, including soya, oat, almond, coconut and cow's milk. The students had to develop skills in micropipette, volumetrics, gravimetrics, centrifugation and a little bit of maths in order to compare the protein content of the milk through salting out using ammonium sulfate precipitation. 

Image of the microscopes that the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine have donated to Liverpool Life Sciences UTC & The Studio School for students to use

The highlight of the session was using several microscopes kindly donated by the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM). We are extremely grateful for their support and look forward to making good use of the equipment in future activities.

Image sixth form student using the microscopes gifted to us by Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

Applied Science Practical: Introductory Micropipetting Skills

Sixth Form students spent their first lesson in the labs learning how to use micropipettes accurately through a simple activity where they had to pipette around twenty different volumes of coloured dyes onto parafilm. The cohort practised accurate micropipette handling while creating vibrant visual arrays.

Image of sixth form student using micropipettes during lesson
Image of micropipettes that were used during lesson

Sixth Form Community Outreach

Our Head of Sixth Form and a group of Year 12 and 13 students recently took part in a community litter pick across the Baltic Triangle. 

They were joined by Jo Austin-Greer (Head of Communications & Partnerships for Baltic Creative CIC) and her team, to help build community relations and provide our students with an insight into the role of Baltic Creative.

Group of sixth from students on a litter picking activity, alongside Head of Sixth Form and staff member from Baltic Creative.

Despite the rain, they all had a great time, and several of the business owners came out for a chat and gifted the students’ biscuits for their efforts!

Jo will be invited to CUC6, to meet our students in assemblies so we can continue to develop our place in the local community. For our future digital and creative entrepreneurs, building positive relationships is invaluable.

Year 10 Students Explore Butterfly Morphology

Wider Curriculum students in the “Inspiring Nature” class have been thinking about the evolution of the peppered moth, camouflage and variation within species. They collected data on variation between species but within the same superorder (Papilionoidea).

They used “butterfly rulers” 3D printed from the Natural History Museum outreach files to measure features on a number of different butterflies and observe these features using microscopes. Next lesson, students will be drawing conclusions from the data.

Image of student using microscope to observe the features of different butterflies
Image of butterfly samples students used on a microscope to observe the features

Ignite Engineering Students Redesign Accessibility

Students have been thinking about universal design, which endeavours to design environments and equipment which is accessible to all people with equality. As part of a project about the New Brunswick Train Station, they have been designing ticket machines using these inclusive design principles. They used technical drawing boards and stencils for the first time in order to draw their initial designs out accurately.

Image of group of students designing ticket machines for a new train station using technical boards in lesson.
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In our Sixth Form (CUC6), we specialise in the Engineering Pathway. 

Teachers to talk to are Dan in room 2.27, Andy in room 2.22, and Josh in room 2.21. 

The Commercial Airline Pilot resource can be found here.

To find out more about MyPath careers, click here.

Opportunities Outside of School

Work Experience

 

Futures For All Work Experience Finder

Helping young people access real-world experiences and hear from inspirational speakers. 

You can browse by industry to find opportunities listed 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.

University 

 

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.

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.

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.