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.

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.

• 21st January: What does a Grade 9 in English Literature actually look like?

• 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

Building Global Connections: Welcoming Korean Students 

Last Friday, we welcomed a group of Korean students for an inspiring visit. Ignite Scholars students guided our guests around the building, explaining the wide range of opportunities available. At the Language Hub, students shared experiences of English and Korean education systems, broadening global horizons and highlighting diverse career pathways.

Group leader Jinok Lee praised our students’ professionalism, and Miss Mallo was especially impressed by Milena confidently speaking Korean with our guests. The visit ended with excitement for future international collaboration.

Our visiting students also had the opportunity to use the Hitachi desktop Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). On loan in an outreach scheme supported by Hitachi, The Natural History Museum, The Institute For Research in Schools and The Royal Microscopical Society, the SEM uses a beam of electrons to produce high resolution, high magnification images of specimens. 

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

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

Celebrating Innovation: Ignite App Presentation

At a Senior Leadership meeting on Monday, Marcus and Ilyaz from Ignite presented an app they have developed since joining us. Their professionalism, confidence and technical prowess were very impressive, and they demonstrated a product that clearly addresses a gap in the market.

Based on their presentation, Principal Jill Davies, has arranged for a mentorship programme in order to take their product to the next level. Well done Marcus and Ilyaz, you are definitely young entrepreneurs!

The CELLS Project: The Choices, Education, Learning, and Lifelong Skills

This week, we welcomed guest speakers from The CELLS Project during assembly times, who talked openly about mental health and wellbeing. The sessions were a chance to hear real experiences, learn practical ways to cope with everyday challenges, and get honest advice in a relaxed, supportive space. It’s all about learning, connecting, and looking after your mental health.

Students were really engaged and focused and asked some really appropriate questions. 

The CELLS Project, is a crime prevention charity turning negative pasts into positive futures and teaching children and young people across the North West about the consequences of crime through sharing lived experiences. Educating young people on the consequences of crime since 2009.

Find out more about Cells here.

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) in Action: A Week of Discovery

This has been the first full week of having the Hitachi desktop Scanning Electron Microscope at The Studio School and Liverpool Life Sciences UTC. On loan in an outreach scheme supported by Hitachi, The Natural History Museum, The Institute For Research in Schools and The Royal Microscopical Society, the SEM uses a beam of electrons to produce high resolution, high magnification images of specimens. 

We have CAD designed and additively manufactured a sample holder which allows the sample to be rotated without damage, and plans are afoot for many other exciting projects in the coming weeks. As always, huge thanks to Dr Alex Ball and to Ramona Szalczinger for their advice and support, and many thanks also to Dr David Roubik at The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute for his generous donation of the vulture bee samples.

The image above shows how the mandibles of the vulture bee are adapted to its carnivorous diet by having a serrated edge to cut through the meat. We have used the Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy capability on the SEM to show preliminary findings of higher levels of iron on the cutting edge of the mandibles. (In the image the bee is upside down, you can see his oval compound eye on the right-hand side of his head, and one antennae. The mandibles overlap at the front of the head). 

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM): Investigating Iron in the Mandibles of Vulture Bees

The pictures below show the mandible of a vulture bee. The edge of the mandible is serrated, like a bread knife, as opposed to the 'normal' carder bee shown below.

We used the EDX capability to show that there is iron in the edge of the mandible, and not elsewhere on the mandible. This was done by Amos, Saskia, Jayden and Izzy in Year 10. Many thanks to David at the Smithsonian for the vulture bee samples.

Arabic Week Celebrations

To find out more about our Engineering Pathway, click here.

Career Opportunities

1. National Cyber Force – Application Masterclass (Online)

When? Friday 30th January, 10:00am–12:00pm
For? Year 12 and 13 students need to be British citizens to be eligible for the event. 

The National Cyber Force (NCF) is a partnership between GCHQ, MOD, MI6 and Dstl, offering careers in cyber security, technology, engineering, languages, project management and analysis.

IMPORTANT: Parents are welcome to join this event - Register here.

2. Explore Careers in Care with Care UK (Remote)

Are you a young person eager to explore a rewarding career in the care sector? Join us for a Virtual Insight Day with Care UK and take your first step towards a fulfilling career!

When? 3rd March 

Time? 10:00am - 2pm

Application Deadline: 10th February - Apply here

What You Will Learn During the Insight Day:

• Interactive Activities: Take part in individual and group tasks to learn about lifestyle plans and build listening, problem-solving, and creativity skills
• Q&A Session: Ask questions about careers in care homes and get expert answers.
• Explore Multiple Roles: Discover a range of roles, from direct care and activities to maintenance and more.
• Career Guidance: Learn about career opportunities at Care UK and how to start your journey with them.

3. Dental Study Programme

Start date? 27th January 

Enrolment day? 15th January at The Learning foundry - Apply here.

4. Build Your Future (Construction)

Start date? 30th March

Enrolment day? 17th March at The Skills centre - Apply here.

5. Picture Your Future

Start date? 30th March 

Enrolment day?16th March at The Learning Foundry - Apply here.

Work Experience Opportunities

1.  Hospitality and Catering 

Are you interested in gaining real-world experience in a fast-paced and rewarding industry? Savoy Education Trust's placements provide an insight into a range of hospitality roles, which may include:

• Food preparation and kitchen operations
• Customer service and front-of-house experience
• Health, safety, and food hygiene practices
• Teamwork and communication skills
• Understanding day-to-day operations in a professional hospitality environment

This work experience is ideal for students interested in hospitality, catering, or customer service, helping to build key employability skills such as confidence, time management, and responsibility. Placements vary from 1-day insight days to multi-day experiences for a deeper understanding of the industry and are available year-round. 

All can be found on this website.

2. Government Cyber/STEM Work Experience Day (In-Person)

When? Wednesday 25th February, 10:00am–3:00pm
Where? Manchester
For: Year 12 and 13 students. North West students only) - students need to be British citizens to be eligible for the event. 

This in-person event offers insight into STEM, cyber and business roles across Government Intelligence Agencies, including early careers opportunities.

Register here.

3. Decarbonise and Transform: Sustainable Energy Work Experience with Drax (Online)

This programme is for students 13+, it's bursting with engaging content designed to introduce you to the various sustainable energy initiatives at Drax, plus pathways into a career with the company! You’ll also complete a series of quizzes and fun activities to help build your understanding.

Find out more here.

Apprenticeship & Degree Apprenticeships

1. CGI Build a Career that Changes the World

CGI delivers IT and business services that make a real impact. From seabed to space and using Artificial Intelligence to solve big problems, CGI has been helping clients shape the world for almost 50 years.

Students and early career talent can work on real projects that touch everyday life while learning in a supportive environment. Collaboration, creativity, and curiosity are at the centre of life at CGI, and every role helps shape the future of technology and business.

Explore degree apprentcieships available here.

2. Ibstock Dual-Skilled Apprentice Engineer Level 3 

Looking for a hands-on engineering career with real responsibility, recognised qualifications, and long-term progression?

This 4-year programme is your first step to becoming a fully qualified engineer. You’ll gain a Level 3 Mechatronics Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship, hands-on experience, expert mentorship, and a competitive salary.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Supporting the engineering team with plant maintenance and preventative tasks. Studying key subjects such as Electronic Fault Finding, Electrical Machines, and Three Phase Systems
• Completing mechanical units, including Maintaining Mechanical Equipment and Mechanical Fault Diagnosis, to build electrical and mechanical expertise
• Developing computer skills by using maintenance systems and analysing production data.

Apply here.

3. The National Apprenticeship & Education Event 

When? Thursday 29th January, 9:30am-3:00pm

• Students will meet businesses face to face; discover apprenticeships & how to access apprenticeship programmes as well as other career routes into work.
• Get up to date careers advice and guidance on a wide range of future career paths
• Opportunity to engage with universities, colleges, top UK employers & training providers
• Access information on future study options
• Discover career opportunities and work experience placements.

Parents/guardians can sign up here.

4. Nestle Engineering Apprenticeship

• Start date? Monday 3rd August 2026 
• Scheme duration? 4 years  
• Salary? Site specific 
• Location? York Factory
• Work Pattern? Full time, factory based (shifts will vary dependant on site location) 

What will I do?

• Gain hands-on experience maintaining, fault-finding, and repairing complex manufacturing and process equipment in a live factory environment
• Work alongside experienced engineers to support production, improve process efficiency, and ensure safety and reliability of operations
• Develop strong problem-solving, technical, and decision-making skills across a range of engineering disciplines and projects
• Build a solid foundation for an engineering career through structured training, mentoring, and real-world engineering challenges and more

Apply here.

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Innovators solve problems by thinking outside the box, whether creating strategies for local businesses or life-saving healthcare technology. A career in innovation spans many sectors, including business, manufacturing, education, healthcare, research, green energy, and farming.

Find out more here.