The Studio School educates young people for success in a digital world, particularly for employment, entrepreneurship, a new business venture, or further study in the digital media and technology sectors. We’ve created an environment to inspire creativity and critical thinking, fed by the industry knowledge of our partners, who lead the sector across the region.
What is a Studio School?
You can join a Studio School at either 14 or 16. Studio schools are small schools (usually with around 300 pupils) teaching mainstream qualifications alongside project-based learning. This means working in realistic situations as well as learning academic subjects. Students work with local employers and follow a curriculum designed to give them the skills and qualifications they need in work, or to take up further education.
Our Location
The Baltic Triangle is the perfect location for our UTC. In what’s described as an “old meets new” setup, the Baltic Triangle’s historic architecture is where many emerging health and technology businesses and entrepreneurs have set up shop.
Visit the official website www.baltictriangle.co.uk for all the latest news and events.
Our Facilities
In the heart of Liverpool’s bustling creative and digital district, we’re housed in a Grade II listed former warehouse. The lofty spaces of the warehouse give us unparalleled flexibility and scale. We’re fully wheelchair accessible throughout the building, with disabled toilets on every floor and home to:
- a programming suite with private professional network
- access to the latest software and hardware used within the creative and digital industries
- a retro games console space
- an art and media studio and gallery space
- a games design artwork suite
- a 120-seat lecture theatre and cinema
- an engineering suite with design, printing and production facilities
- a fitness suite and gym, equipped with the latest sports kit
- flexible teaching areas alongside our core science facilities
- state-of-the-art innovation and science labs
- a dedicated health suite, with real hospital beds and a ‘Sim Man’ – a fully functioning dummy patient
- a ground-floor café and co-working space for sixth form students
OFSTED Rating
In April 2024 we remained ‘Good’ in our third Ofsted inspection.
The Studio School was rated as a GOOD school in the latest Ofsted inspection on 23 and 24 April 2024. Led by Principal Jill Davies and part of the Northern Schools Trust, the school excelled in digital media, technology, and creative industries. The report highlighted the school’s strengths and the positive experiences of its pupils.
Inspectors praised the school's dedication to preparing students for future careers, encouraging independence, and maintaining high expectations for learning and behaviour, reflected in the motto, “every day is an interview.”
The inspection reviewed the effectiveness of the curriculum, teaching methods, and support systems, noting the leadership's commitment to continuous improvement and student welfare.
Our Ethos
Our ethos is simple: we’re committed to providing the highest standards of teaching and learning, combined with real life industry experience which opens doors for our students. Our offer is unique, and we’re proud to work with leaders in digital and creative, giving our students the ability to build a strong and enviable portfolio of experience, so they can hit the ground running once they graduate from The Studio.
Vision
Our Values
- Inclusive
- Innovative
- Curious
- Diverse
- Professional
- Respectful
Our Attributes
- Resilient
- Enthusiastic
- Supportive
- Professional
- Empathic
- Confident communicators
- Trustworthy
Our Behaviours
- Every Day is an Interview
- Six for Success
- Behaviour Inside and Outside the Classroom
Our Team
As we are co-located with Liverpool Life Sciences UTC, we have a combined core team of experienced teaching staff to ensure that our students get the best results in all the traditional curriculum subjects, as well as a variety of key skills and expertise in the health and science sectors. Working with staff with UTC specialisms means students can also enjoy science, healthcare, engineering and more. We are continuously adding to our team of teaching and support staff at the UTC and Studio.
LEADERSHIP
- Jill Davies: Principal
- Rupert Evans: Vice Principal
- Fiona Markey: Assistant Principal
- Giuseppe Bonfante: Head of Sixth Form
- Christopher Challinor: Assistant Head of Sixth Form
- Adam Hewitt: Operations & Data Lead/DPO
- Louise Kennett: Administrator & Attendance
INCLUSION
- Debra Marsden Assistant: SENDCO
- Genine Gillies: KS4 Pastoral
- Paul Taylor: Pastoral Manager & DSL
- Shirley Sandle: KS5 Pastoral
- Susan Duggan: SENDCO
HUMANITIES
- Andrew Storey
- Laura Bonnesen
- Lauren Grattage
- Matthew Fitzpatrick
- Nicholas Baird
- Vic Sage
ENGLISH
- Adam Murphy
- Amy Connolly
- Andrew Mackenzie
- Gkainia Gympoulou
- Joseph Corner
- Rabyah Manzoor
MATHEMATICS
- Chloe Allason
- Evan Delaney
- Ilena Rooney
- Kevin Dunn
- Kirstie Brizell
- Mark Lightfoot
- Victoria Gwyther
MFL
- Manal El Rifai Mahjoub
- Sara Mallo Juarez
P.E
- Anna Durrance
- Graham Scofield
- Philip Forrest
SCIENCE
- Amber Kyvelou
- Andrew Plevin
- Beverley Chandler
- Dan Howard
- Gary Brzezinski
- Graham Schofield
- John Dyer
- John Grace
- Josh Thompson (Engineering Technician)
- Leonie Darby
- Liam Halliday (Lab Technician)
- Michaela Mitchell
- Sarah-Jane Linkman (Senior Science Technician)
- Tracy Houghton
SOCIAL SCIENCE
- Liz Voges
- Olivia Ashton
- Sara Graham
COMPUTING & BUSINESS
- Amanda Cooper
- Andrew Johnson
- Anthony Bearon
- Enda Carey (Sector Skills Champion)
- James Phillips
- Kieran Williamson
- Nathan Gorton
CREATIVE
- Johnny Price
- Lee Tisdale
- Phillip Rogers
- Stef Mansfield
SUPPORT STAFF
- Aleksandrs Tkacenko
- Alison Brown
- Chloe Booth
- Chris Bate CCF/Caretaker
- Clare McGaw
- Cristina Justino Do Nascimento (LSA)
- Donna Edwards
- Ian Hesketh (LSA)
- Jenny Welsby
- Kim Jenson (LSA)
- Mark Pomford
- Michael Saint-Cricq (Careers Lead)
- Nicola Naylor (LSA)
- Sam Hyde
- Schelly Armstrong
Co-located with Liverpool Life Sciences UTC
Together, Liverpool Life Sciences UTC and The Studio, housed within the historic CUC Building, offer a Sixth Form experience that honours Liverpool’s heritage, embraces the present, and equips students for a future of opportunity, innovation, and success. CUC6 represents the collaboration of both schools, providing a distinctive and inclusive educational experience for all Sixth Form students, regardless of the pathway they choose for their post‑16 studies.
Find out more about the history of our Grade II Listed building below.
Welcome to the CUC Building
Welcome to the CUC Building, where Liverpool’s rich industrial heritage meets modern education and innovation. Originally the Contemporary Urban Centre, this restored Victorian-era warehouse is located in the heart of the Baltic Triangle. Its history dates back to the late 19th century, when it operated as a warehouse, notably as an oil warehouse from at least the 1890s.
The building is Grade II-listed, recognised for its architectural and historical significance. Over time, it has evolved to meet the city’s changing needs. In the 2000s, it served as an arts centre and cultural venue before being refurbished as a contemporary educational hub.
Today, the CUC Building is home to both Liverpool Life Sciences UTC and The Studio School Liverpool. Its co-location allows students from both schools to benefit from exceptional shared facilities, including science laboratories, engineering suites, a mock hospital environment, art and design studios, programming labs, media suites, a cinema, refectories, a gym, and a sports hall.
Liverpool Life Sciences UTC provides a curriculum designed to prepare students for careers in science, healthcare, life sciences, engineering, and related fields. Sixth Form options include A-Levels, BTECs, T-Levels, and other vocational qualifications, all supported by a strong emphasis on academic rigour and industry-informed, practical learning.
For those with a passion for creativity, digital media, or technology, The Studio offers A-Levels and technology-focused qualifications in art & design, graphics, lens-based media, programming, and more. The programme equips students with the knowledge, skills, and experience required to succeed in the digital and creative industries.
Together, Liverpool Life Sciences UTC and The Studio, within the historic CUC Building, provide a Sixth Form experience that honours Liverpool’s heritage, embraces the present, and prepares students for a future full of opportunity, innovation, and choice.
