Studio School Strikes Gold at Merseyside Police Cyber Security Challenge! 

For the past two years, our talented students have battled their way to a commendable second place in the Merseyside Police Cyber Security Competition. This year, however, they went one step further, securing a triumphant victory and being crowned champions at the event held at Aintree Racecourse!

The competition was a fantastic opportunity for our students to showcase their abilities and demonstrate their passion for cyber security. They faced intense pressure and complex problems, but they remained focused and determined, ultimately proving their exceptional talent. As a reward for their hard work and dedication, all participants received a generous gift bag filled with cyber security goodies, alongside a fantastic £60 voucher. This was a well-deserved recognition of their commitment and enthusiasm. We are incredibly proud of our students' achievements and congratulate them on their well-earned victory. Their success is a testament to the dedication of our staff, the quality of our cyber security curriculum, and the students' own hard work and commitment.

BRI Raising Awareness of Antimicrobial Resistance

Holly, Utieyin, and Thomas from the Baltic Research Institute delivered an engaging workshop during British Science Week to inspire future medics, dentists, and vets from Year 10. The hands-on activities raised awareness of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the responsible use of antibiotics. Students learnt how easily pathogens spread using germ-simulating hand gel and explored the importance of hand hygiene. A creative activity with coloured orbeez demonstrated how antibiotic resistance builds within bacterial populations, emphasising the need to complete antibiotic treatment courses. Finally, a lively game of dodgeball illustrated how missing doses can leave resistant bacteria behind. The students loved the interactive sessions and left with a deeper understanding of AMR.

Biosciences Masterclass at Liverpool University

Biology A-level students attended a Biosciences Masterclass at Liverpool University today. Students participated in some activities designed to introduce them to techniques and equipment used by bioscience researchers, including loading an electrophoresis gel, which is used to separate DNA fragments depending on size; a very steady hand was needed!

They also assessed the efficacy of anti-cancer drugs by observing cancer cells down a microscope before and after drug administration and using a differential uptake dye, which enabled them to see if the cells were killed by the drug. In the afternoon we heard about student life at Liverpool University, and how funding and bursaries can help. We also saw some fantastic fluorescence images of cells, including videos showing neurones growing into a neural network. Finally, we learnt about the use of c. elegans, a small worm, as a model organism and how studies of movement in c. elegans have impacted epilepsy research.

Ignite Students experimenting with dyes made from natural sources

We used red cabbage, beetroot and turmeric, and students achieved different colours by adding acid or alkali to the cabbage dye. They used mordants to increase the binding between dye and cloth, and then used their dyes to tie-dye their cotton squares. They have also been learning about the history of natural dyes and the cultural importance of this industry in many countries.

Students in Y10 Project Based Learning

Do you know what a differential, also called a “diff”, does? Most people don’t, but without them, cars and buses would only be able to go in straight lines! If you want to learn, you can watch this video from the 1950s which explains it.

Students in Year 10 PBL have begun building a model of a differential in order to see how it works. They are using a kit (it has 143 pieces!) but once they understand they will begin experimenting with the design and seeing the effect.

Click here to find out more about this career pathway.

Unilever Competition

Over the last few months, our students have been creating a personal care product focused on innovation, sustainability and total product design. We went to the finals of the Unilever Aspire programme for Year 9s at Port Sunlight this week. We arrived and set up before 10 and then the students had several groups of Unilever staff that they presented their ideas to and answered any questions about the science of the projects. Our 2 teams were amazing and one of them won the Best Innovation 2025 for Cool Comfort, a cooling stick for menopausal women, which they found through their research was a large, under-represented group. Congratulations to all of our students and our scientists of the future.

Inspiring STEM Journeys: From University to Cutting-Edge Research

Tom, Cara, Callum and Robyn, a group of PhD students from Liverpool University, described their journey in STEM and their aspirations for their future careers to Year 12, giving a glimpse of the many directions a STEM education could lead. The emphasis was on taking opportunities which arise and on the importance of resilience. Each student also gave an overview of their current cutting-edge research, including drug development and exciting advances in solar panel technology and dentistry. Our students asked some interesting questions, and the visitors were so impressed by their experience of the CUC that two have offered to mentor PBL or EPQ projects in the future.

Workshops on how to treat catastrophic bleeding

The workshops were led by Joe Benson, who has trained organisations such as the police and army in how to manage life-threatening situations. Using the facilities in our state-of-the-art Health Simulation suite, Joe taught students from KS4 how to assess and treat a casualty with life-threatening injuries.

Visit to Liverpool Hope University

A small group of 12 students visited Liverpool Hope University for the All About Futures and Liverpool City Regions STEM in the Workplace careers event. The day included skill development workshops, awareness of progression routes, including Apprenticeships, and the opportunity to hear from top STEM employers such as Peel Ports.

Chess Tournament 

On Wednesday, 5th of March, Liverpool Life Sciences and The Studio School attended a Northern School Trust Chess Tournament at North Liverpool Academy. Chess, with its emphasis on thinking skills and strategy, is becoming an ever more popular sport amongst the schools within the trust, some of whom compete at a local and national level. The day itself saw competitors from Year 7 to 11 pitted against each other and was a wonderful example of mental and physical resilience. The competition was fierce throughout but the winning team was from North Liverpool Academy and in second place was a team from Gateacre. Congratulations to all those involved.

National Careers Week 

Ask Apprenticeship Programme delivered an informative session to our Sixth Form students to celebrate National Careers Week. The session was aimed at trying to un-pick what the main local economy sectors are with some context behind them, what are all the different departments that operate within/ and make up a business to make it run successfully that our students wouldn’t have thought of or about; and try to explain to them students who for example: are doing A level English/ Geography/ History etc and so on, how those subjects have transferrable skills, and also not to be so narrow-minded about what they think is their only career pathway in life. Big thanks to Gary King for delivering an impactful session for our students.

Key dates

• 20th of March – Virtual Open Evening
• 1st of April - Ignite and Year 10 Open Evening
• 3rd of April - Sixth Form Open Evening

These events are for students who wish to join either school in September 2025, please share this information with anyone who is looking to move schools next year. Life Sciences UTC or The Studio. 

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Liverpool Life Sciences UTC

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Skillsbuilder – Applications for the 2025-2026

Accelerator funded programme now open! Join a national cohort, only 200 fully funded places available annually. More information here.

BIMA: FREE Digital Day Parents’ Evening Webinar

Every year, students leave Digital Day excited, but we want to ensure that the inspiration continues when they get home. That's why we're inviting all parents to join our Digital Day Parents' Evening - a webinar that explores what a career in digital could look like for their children. In this FREE webinar, parents will learn about job opportunities, salaries, workplace culture, and pathways into the industry. Wed, 26 Mar 2025 18:00 - 19:00 - Online register here. 

Webinar by Escape Studios - Networking for Introverts

Join one of the UK’s top animation, games, and VFX schools for a free webinar: Networking for Introverts. Senior Director at DNEG Animation, Andrew Schlussel, will break down networking myths and share tips for success — no matter your confidence level. 19th March, 6pm — register here.

Positively You Workshops

• Resilience workshop: Helps students build a growth mindset and develop strategies to handle setbacks and stressful times, like exams.
• Mastering Student Motivation: Inspires students to find their personal "why," connecting their exams to their goals for a more positive, motivated mindset. 

Opportunity for 13-18/25-year-olds to join the Youth Combined Authority

Opportunity for those aged between 13 and 18 (or 13 and 25 if you have special educational needs and or a disability) and live in the Liverpool City Region to have a say on key issues in the region such as: Employment / Energy / Transport / Culture / Economic growth. Find out more and apply here.

Harker Work Experience Opportunity Year 12 and 13 students

Harker is a software development company developing an AI-enabled integrated Client Relationship Manager-Case Management System to allow homelessness charities to make better data-driven decisions and demonstrate their impact to funders and donors. The details and application form for the 1 week work experience can be found using the link here.

Inspire Cyber 

Code Nation is proud to bring digiDNA to residents across the North West, helping you identify and unlock career opportunities in cyber security. A 30-minute, non-technical online tool designed to uncover how your unique attributes align with cyber security roles. All questionnaires must be completed by the 31^st of March 2025. More information here.

Liverpool John Moores University Year 12 Neuroscience Taster Day 1^st of April 

In celebration of the British Neuroscience Association’s Festival of Neuroscience conference coming to Liverpool, 27^th-30^th of April, Liverpool neuroscientists are putting on a month-long public engagement programme, called Bring Your Own Brain, with events for people of all ages.

 

As part of the Bring Your Own Brain Programme, Year 12 Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Maths students are invited to take part in an exciting Neuroscience outreach programme which will involve:

1. A visit to the neuroscience labs at LJMU (9.45-2.30 pm), where students will take part in fun, interactive sessions designed to introduce them to the fundamentals of the brain and nervous system including:

• How neurons communicate
• How the brain processes information
• How experience shapes your brain
• How research benefits human health

 

Booking Details:

LJMU only have the capacity to host 30 students for the 1^st of April. Students can book their place by completing the form here.

University of Liverpool: Meet the Russell Group Webinars 

Representatives from different Russell Group universities will again be participating in this very popular interactive webinar series. Students can book the following sessions:

• 29^th of April @ 12:00 - Introduction to the Russell Group
• 29^th of April @16:30 - Student Life
• 30^th of April @09:00 - Considering clinical and health professions
• 1^st of May @12:00 - Researching university options
• 1^st of May @16:30 - Personal statements and applying

All who book will be given a link to attend and access to the recordings afterwards, register here.

University of Liverpool: Law and Social Justice Year 10-12 taster days

On the 26^th of March, 23^rd of April, 28^th of May and 25^th of June, the university are hosting bite-sized events to stimulate interest in law and social justice subjects, to motivate students for university, and to showcase the degree options available at Liverpool.

For further details, please email Clare Kelly.

Upcoming University Open Days

University of Liverpool 

• Friday 20^th of June
• Saturday 21^st of June
• Saturday 20^th of September
• Saturday 11^th of October

Click here to receive an alert when bookings are live.

 

University of Salford 

Saturday 14^th of June

Click here to register.

 

Liverpool Hope University 

28^th of June

Click here to register.

 

UCLAN Preston 

21^st of June

Click here to register.

 

University of Chester 

21^st of June

Click here to register.

 

Bangor University

• Saturday 5^th of July
• Sunday 17^th of August
• Sunday 12^th of October
• Saturday 1^st of November
• Saturday 22^nd of November

Click here to register.

 

Teeside University 

21^st of June

Click here to register.

Amazing Apprenticeships – Webinars & Workshops

A series of informative webinars for teachers, careers advisers and parents that will provide an abundance of tips, advice, and information around the topic of apprenticeships.

Each webinar lasts between 30 – 60 minutes and takes place on Zoom. Participants are required to sign up before the session and will receive an email confirmation and a reminder an hour before it begins. The webinars are recorded and shared with all registrants after the session, register here.

Meet the students: Virtual fair, what is university like? 

Students are invited to Unifrog’s virtual meet the students fair to connect with 30 universities from around the UK, including University of Manchester, Queen Mary University of London, and Durham University. They'll be bringing along student ambassadors so you can attend live sessions and ask questions directly to current undergraduates.

If you are wondering about university accommodation, applying for scholarships, weighing up multiple offers, or planning to attend open days, this fair will help you!

26^th of March 4–6:30 pm – register here.