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Another busy and diverse week of opportunities at The Studio and Life Sciences UTC. From creative photography and concept car design to hands-on hospital and university experiences, our students have had an inspiring week. Highlights include Year 12's street photography trip, farewells to our Spanish exchange visitors, and festive tree decorating. Work experience at Whiston Hospital and LJMU, alongside academic projects in psychology and DNA transcription, showcase our vibrant learning environment, preparing students for bright futures.

Work Experience at Whiston Hospital

This week, students rotated through plastic surgery, stroke wards, pathology, physiotherapy, and trained in managing opioid overdoses, anaphylaxis, and heart attacks. These experiences help students consider the patient's perspective, how they felt, and the doctors' impact on their journey. Key skills like communication, teamwork, empathy, adaptability, and responsibility were observed, alongside principles of medical ethics, including autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. Reflection on these experiences at Whiston Hospital provides valuable insights for medical school applications and interviews.

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Year 12 Photography Trip

As part of their new project, Year 12 students took part in a walking documentary photoshoot through the Baltic Triangle, Albert Dock, and the 3 Graces. This trip focused on street photography, encouraging students to capture candid, real-life moments within dynamic urban settings. By immersing themselves in the environment, students honed their skills in observation, composition, and storytelling, all key elements of street photography. The experience not only provided images for their skills-based learning project but also offered a deeper understanding of how to document the everyday world through the lens of a photographer.

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Saying Goodbye to our external visiting Spanish School

Last week we said farewell to our Spanish friends from Vigo. After two intense weeks of getting to know each other, sharing cultures, and experiencing first-hand real Spanish communication, our students have forged lifetime-lasting friendships with our Galician friends.

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They enjoyed shadowing our Year 10 students in their lessons, an amazing “Drop down” Day, some indulging Afternoon Tea and a fabulous workshop in our Innovation Labs. Experiences that they would never have been able to have back in their schools in Spain.

“After four years of welcoming Spanish students to our schools, I believe this is a unique experience for our students who are taking GCSE Spanish. Having the opportunity to make friends with Spanish speakers of their age, practising their communication skills in the target language and improving their fluency at the same time as having fun makes the whole experience worthwhile. It was great to feel the buzz at the Language Hub and how our students were getting more and more confident with their Spanish”. Miss Mallo

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If you would like to find out more about this career pathway then please click here.

Brain Models

Year 12 psychology students have been learning about the location of Function in the Brain in their Biopsychology module. Using their knowledge and models of the brain, they attempted to label the specific areas on a willing participant.

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Concept Cars

This week we launched the Concept Cars competition across all of the UTC network. The image attached shows two of our T-level students getting to work just minutes after the launch.

Prohibiting the use of mobile phones during the school day from the 1st of January 2025
Whilst phones have brought many positives to our lives, it is now timely for me to recognise that children's use of digital technology is having a negative impact on students’ concentration, behaviour, safety, and well-being. We recently received guidance from the Department for Education stating that schools should prohibit the use of mobile phones throughout the school day.

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As a school, we are in agreement with the Department for Education and are planning to implement the change. Mobile phones are a vital part of life and learning, but we are seeing that a greater number of students are becoming addicted to their phones. Their use within the school day has created additional problems for both our children and the school.

  • Mobile phones provide an unnecessary distraction, disruption, and diversion within the school day. One national survey stated that one in three secondary school pupils report that mobile phones are used in most lessons without permission.
  • Safeguarding is always our main priority. By removing phones, we believe that this will have a positive influence on all students, making the community a safer place. In recent times, for some students, there has been a significant decline in their wellbeing and mental health. Nationally, three in ten students cite making and maintaining friendships and their mental health as a cause of worry, anxiety, or depression. By removing mobile phones, students can spend more time staying active and socialising face to face with their peers, activities which have a positive impact on wellbeing.

Work Experience at Liverpool John Moores University

Year 13 student, Ziad, recently completed a four-day work experience placement at LJMU’s Faculty of Engineering and Technology. Reflecting on his experience, Ziad shared "I learnt most of the engineering types and the specific roles and responsibilities that come along with it. I learnt how to use CAD software, electronics and design, how to use the Lathe machine to cut metals and design a plum bob, and I also learnt the hardware of a PC and how to fix them.”

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When asked about the most enjoyable part of his placement, Ziad highlighted his interest in electrical engineering and PC hardware. As for how it has prepared him for the jobs of tomorrow, he noted, “It has prepared me well as it has allowed me to decide on what field I want to get into in university as I was not sure beforehand."

ACCE- A widening Participation initiative from the universities of Liverpool, Sheffield and York designed to encourage students to consider careers in ecology research

Last week, students from Ignite visited the University of Liverpool for the launch of this initiative. They enjoyed a comprehensive campus tour, including flight simulators, F2 car and climbing walls, as well as departments, libraries and accommodation.

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After lunch, the students met PhD students working in ecology and discussed their research, including computer modelling of ecosystems, breeding in drosophila, adaptive morphology in jaw bones and getting up close to some mosquitos.

The day concluded with a live video call linking students in Liverpool, Sheffield and York to The Natural History Museum. Next month the students, along with students from Sheffield and York, will travel to London to participate in an Ecology workshop at the Natural History Museum and to visit the museum!

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 are not to contact home themselves when they are unwell, staff will call parents if needed.

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Year 11 Sixth Form Information Evening, 28th November, 5.30-6.30pm

We are excited to invite parents to our Year 11 Parents Information Evening. During the evening, you'll hear about the opportunities offered through each of our pathways, providing your child with the chance to explore their passions in a supportive environment.

Pathways Available:

  • MeDeVet (Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science)
  • Life Sciences
  • Applied Science
  • Social Science
  • Health Care
  • Liberal Arts
  • Creatives
  • Technology T-level: Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing
  • T-level: Digital Production, Design and Development

This is a great opportunity to meet our expert staff, ask questions, and discover how these pathways prepare students for top universities and competitive careers. With strong industry and university connections, we ensure students gain valuable real-world experience. We encourage you to attend and explore the exciting future opportunities available to your child! Register here.

Year 11 Build My Future Event, 28th November, 3:00-6:30pm

We are inviting you to a very special evening focusing on life after year 11 where you will have the opportunity to: Collect your child’s mock exam results Discuss any barriers to your child’s progress and attainment Purchase revision material at cost price Book an appointment with an independent careers advisor Attend a Sixth Form information event hosted by our Head of Sixth Form and pathway leads. They will tell you all about life as a Sixth Form student here at the CUC building. Each family will be provided with an appointment time – this will be communicated via the Weduc app by Thursday 21st November. We look forward to seeing you on 28th November.

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PBL

Ignite students are progressing in their Project Base Learning unit on DNA. This week they have been tackling transcription and translation, and are consolidating their learning by playing a Transcribe and Translate a protein game.

Uniform and equipment reminder

I would like to remind parents of the uniform standards with regard to girl’s trousers. A small number of students are wearing fashion trousers – made of Lycra material and flared leggings in style. The expectation is for students to wear school trousers or a pleated skirt. As the weather is getting colder please ensure your child has a warm, waterproof coat. All students are required to have a school bag with them every day. This must be large enough to carry a number of A4 revision guides. We will provide your child with a suitable bag if they are unable to obtain one.

Jill Davies, Principal at Life Sciences and The Studio School. 

Leave us a Google Review

We strive to provide the best experience for our students. Your feedback helps us improve and continue delivering quality education and care. If you’ve had a good experience with us, we’d love to hear from you.

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Leaving a review on Google helps others learn more about our schools and gives us valuable insight.

Liverpool Life Sciences UTC

The Studio School

Students bring the Christmas spirit to school

This week we took a group of students to collect a Christmas tree from Dobbie’s Garden Centre to display in our school. These students were selected by the Head of Year for being amazing role models for Life Sciences and Studio throughout the year. After tree shopping students were treated to lunch. Next, our fantastic students will be responsible for decorating the tree accompanied by hot chocolates and festive treats.

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Miss Allason's Maths Conundrum https://ukmt.org.uk

The answer to last week’s conundrum was A. This week's conundrum asks 

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Come back next week to find out this week's answer!

Christmas Appeal 2024

Liverpool Life Sciences UTC and The Studio School are raising £500 to support families in our school community with food and gifts. Many of our families are struggling with the cost of living crisis, and we are aiming to buy food hampers and gifts to support families over the Christmas period. Every amount makes a huge difference when it comes to supporting families. £1 donation can buy several small food items to support a family. £5 can buy a small gift. £10 can buy essential food and toiletries. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, I will withdraw funds directly. It's the most efficient way to donate and saves time and costs. Please donate here

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Own clothes day

On Thursday the 19th of December there will be an own clothes day for students. We kindly ask students to bring £1 or more, the option to donate will also be on parent pay.

Upcoming Open Days for Universities

Edge Hill University

- Saturday 23rd of November 2024 10-3pm – Register here

Manchester Metropolitan

- Saturday 23rd of November 2024 9.30-4pm – Register here

University of Central Lancashire

- Saturday 30th of November 2024 9-3pm – Register here

Sheffield University Taster Days

Arts and Humanities - Online Subject Tasters

  • German: Hitler's bathing trunks and the AfD's Bikini: Populist Propaganda in Germany, 25th November 15:55-17:15
  • French: Translation and Truth, 26th November 15:55-17:15
  • History: An Introduction to the British Transatlantic Slave Trade, 1640-1807, 28th November 17:00-18:15
  • Music: Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! in Context: Adaptation and Reception, 4th December 16:00-17:15

Engineering and Computer Science - Online Subject Tasters

  • Electronic and Electrical Engineering: Virtual Arduino Lab - an introduction to Electronic and Electrical Engineering (EEE), 26th November 16:00-17:30
  • Aerospace Engineering: What is modern Aerospace Engineering? 27th November 16:00- 17:30

Social Sciences - Online Subject Tasters

  • Education: “It’s never too late to put it off” - Procrastination in academic study , 28th November 16:00-17:30

Should you have any questions about any of the activities please feel free to contact the team at [email protected]

Liverpool City Council ASD Training Team: Monday 19th & 26th November, 9.30am – 12 noon, Zoom

If you have early concerns about social communication and interaction or your child is awaiting assessment from the ASD pathway, LCC would like to offer you the opportunity to attend the above workshop on Social Communication and Social Behaviour (Both session dates need to be attended). At this time the above workshop will be facilitated via a Zoom meeting. If you wish to attend please contact LLC via email and they will forward a zoom invite via your email address. You can use a computer, tablet or phone to access zoom. If the above dates for the workshop are not suitable, please see the Liverpool Local offer Page / Liverpool ASD training team for future training and workshops. Liverpool ASD Training Team | Liverpool Family Information & SEND Directory.

Liverpool City Council ASD Training Team: Virtual drop in advisory sessions via zoom.

They are for parents/carers wishing to talk in a private one-to-one setting about any questions or concerns they may have about their child. You do not require a diagnosis of ASD to book your place. Dates: 2nd, 4th, 5th, 10-13th, 16-18th 1-1.45pm & 2-2.45pm. To book your place please email [email protected] with a choice of your date and time and you will be emailed a zoom link.

University of Liverpool Campus Tour - Wednesday 27th of November 2-4pm.

Our student-led tours will provide an overview of our city-centre campus, showcasing our facilities and offering an opportunity to ask questions about what it’s really like to live and study here in Liverpool. The programme includes a brief welcome talk, followed by tours of the libraries, Guild of Students, Sports Centre, and an example of our accommodation. Please note, that these tours do not visit academic departments, but do include a free tote bag! Register here.

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Subject Taster Days at Edge Hill University

Edge Hill Subject Taster Days continue in November, offering students the chance to explore specific subjects and allowing them to experience what it would it be like to study at Edge Hill. Most of the events in November are fully booked, however, to view all other upcoming Taster Days and secure a booking, visit their website or email [email protected] to discuss any alternative options. Students can also sign up to be notified about new dates or you can request a more bespoke visit.

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Training courses, Qualifications on Reed

If would you like to find out more about the courses on offer at Reed, then please click here.

Word of the Week - PLETHORA

Definition - A large or excessive amount of something./ From Greek: plēthōrē "fullness"/ Usage: "a plethora of committees and subcommittees"

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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