We were delighted to welcome Dr Peter Hoare and colleagues from the Newcastle University as part of the university’s outreach programme. During their visit on 23 February 2026, our students took part in a series of engaging and practical workshops designed to extend their learning beyond the classroom.
Year 12 biology students explored biochemistry through a specialist workshop on protein structure. They built a model of insulin to better understand how the chemistry of molecules underpins life itself, while also learning about the history of insulin research and future developments in the field.
Year 13 students then participated in a spectroscopy workshop, gaining access to advanced equipment not available in school. This provided a valuable opportunity to visualise complex biochemical processes and deepen their understanding through hands-on experience.
The team also spent time with our year 11 students, discussing life at university, the application process, different course pathways and what it is like to live and study away from home.
Providing these real-world (and scientific) experiences is a vital part of our commitment to raising aspirations and enriching learning in science. We are extremely grateful to the Newcastle University outreach team for their time and commute to work with our students.
Success in the British Biology Olympiad
We are also proud to celebrate the achievements of our year 12 students who recently participated in the British Biology Olympiad, an international competition organised by the Royal Society of Biology.
A special congratulations to student, Sophie, our highest-scoring student, who achieved a Bronze award, placing her in the top 30% of 18,800 entrants worldwide. This is a fantastic accomplishment and a reflection of the dedication and academic ambition within our sixth form science community.
