Northern Schools Trust News Feed - Latest News

Northern Schools Trust Celebrates British Science Week 2026

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 10:11:34 GMT

British Science Week has been an inspiring celebration of curiosity, creativity, and collaboration across the Northern Schools Trust. Students from all eight schools have taken part in a wide variety of scientific activities, from practical experiments and research projects to competitions, shows, and industry engagement.

This year’s theme, “Curiosity – What’s your question?”, encouraged students of all ages to explore the world around them and ask the questions that drive scientific discovery.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BRITISH SCIENCE WEEK HERE

- Trust-wide Activities and Research

- Science Shows, Demonstrations and Interactive Activities

- Competitions, Innovation and Challenges

- University and Industry Engagement

Primary Schools Launch Free Breakfast Clubs to Support Pupils and Families

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 12:43:34 GMT

Northern Schools Trust is proud to offer free breakfast clubs across all of our primary schools, supported by the Department for Education’s Best Start programme. These clubs ensure that pupils begin each school day ready to learn, while also providing essential support to families.

The breakfast clubs are designed to give children a positive and calm start to the school day, while helping parents manage work and family commitments amid the rising cost of living. Pupils have access to a nutritious meal in a welcoming environment before lessons begin, promoting wellbeing, engagement, and academic readiness.

Scanning Electron Microscope Roundup 2026

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 11:23:01 GMT

The Northern Schools Trust is committed to widening access to high-quality learning experiences that raise aspiration and unlock potential. Through the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) loaned to Liverpool Life Sciences UTC, we share specialist expertise, facilities and student leadership across the Trust, enabling pupils from Primary School through to Sixth Form to engage with authentic scientific research.

Northern Schools Trust Marks Remembrance Day 2025

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 12:42:50 GMT

On Tuesday, the 11th of November 2025, students and staff across the Northern Schools Trust came together to mark Remembrance Day. This day marks a national moment of reflection to honour the sacrifices of those who served in conflicts past and present.

Chloe Allason's Inspiring ECF Journey and Our Commitment to Staff Growth

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 16:10:26 GMT

The Northern Schools Trust is delighted to shine a spotlight on the journey of Chloe Allason, a dedicated Maths teacher at Liverpool Life Sciences UTC and The Studio schools. Chloe recently completed her statutory induction period, marking a significant milestone in her career. Her experience stands as a testament to the transformative power of the Early Career Framework (ECF) delivered by Inspire Learning Teaching School Hub (TSH).

Professional development days across Northern Schools Trust

Fri, 4 Jul 2025 15:50:45 GMT

The Northern Schools Trust hosted two highly successful Professional Development Days on 27th June 2025, focusing on developing independent learners. Both the Secondary School event at North Liverpool Academy and the Primary School event at Gateacre School provided invaluable insights and opportunities for teaching staff to enhance their practice.

NST Scanning Electron Microscope sessions

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 09:45:23 GMT

The last week in May 2025 saw the launch of our Trust-wide scanning electron microscope sessions. The microscope is provided as a loan scheme part of a collaboration between the Institute for Research in Schools, The Royal Microscopical Society, The Natural History Museum, Hitachi High Technologies and Oxford Instruments.

What is the Hitachi Global STEM Outreach project?

The Hitachi Global STEM Outreach Project portable SEM is available for schools to use for FREE for up to half a term. The scheme includes:

Free loan of the portable SEM for up to half a term
Full training and support
Materials to assist with teaching and training

Learn more here.

Thirty pupils from Roscoe Primary School and thirty from New Park Primary School enjoyed a session using the scanning electron microscope, learning to move samples, focus and adjust brightness, and how to capture their images. They also used the Liverpool Life Sciences UTC's own dissecting microscopes. They observed specimens such as a flies, butterflies, crystals and fossils, noticing how the SEM has much higher magnification and resolution than the light microscopes. The children had a brilliant time, and will hopefully remember these experiences for a long time.

Thomas Gray Primary School Headteacher Nominated for Prestigious National Diversity Award

Fri, 23 May 2025 08:50:00 GMT

Thomas Gray Primary School's Headteacher Rachael Rimmer has been Nominated for a Prestigious National Diversity Award

Success at the Business of Science Innovation Awards 2025

Thu, 22 May 2025 09:43:46 GMT

We were thrilled to participate in this year's Business of Science Conference in Liverpool, with four innovative projects from schools across the Northern Schools Trust nominated for the Business of Science Innovation Awards.

What is the Business of Science Conference?

The Business of Science conference sees business leaders, industrialists, academics, and policymakers explore the latest opportunities and challenges in the business of science. The organisation brings industry professionals together with school students to help nurture scientific ideas that could become the

innovations of tomorrow. Find out more here.

The event was also supported by several Sixth Form students from the Baltic Research Institute - the world's only student-led research institute made up of students from Liverpool Life Sciences UTC and The Studio School located in the Baltic Triangle.

We were pleased to have four innovative projects from across the Norhern Schools Trust shortlisted as finalists for the Innovation Award.

What are the Business of Science Innovation Awards?

The Business of Science Innovation Awards is a competition that celebrates and rewards scientific advancements and innovations that address real-world challenges. It recognises individuals, organisations, and businesses that are dedicated to innovation, particularly those in the UK. The awards aim to inspire and encourage further scientific and innovative ideas that can lead to new products, services, and solutions. This exciting competition celebrates the power of science to solve real-world challenges. From tackling global issues like water scarcity and plastic pollution to solving local problems like improving home recycling.

Find out more here.

Primary School Category

Entries ‘Recycling Robby’ from Roscoe Primary School and ‘Dissolving Dog Poo Spray’ from Four Oaks Primary School were represented through display posters and video presentations. Although their Year 6 creators were unable to attend in person due to their SATs, their ideas were clearly communicated and well received by attendees.

Secondary School Category

In the Secondary School category, two outstanding projects from Liverpool Life Sciences UTC and The Studio School were shortlisted: ‘Sea Sparkles’ from Year 9 students and ‘Bio Clamp’ from Year 10 students. Both teams attended the event and had the opportunity to present their work directly to delegates and judges.

We are pleased to announce that ‘Bio Clamp’, developed by Shaza, was selected as the winner of the Secondary Innovation Award. Her work truly stood out due to being both feasible, genuinely innovative and having the potential to help a lot of people. Shaza also received £1000 to spend on her project and we are excited to see how she continues to develop this brilliant idea.

Pre-Conference Leadership Awards 2025

Steve Bennett hosted a pre-conference dinner during which the Business of Science Leadership awards were presented. A range of leaders from across science business and education were recognised, including Liverpool Life Sciences UTC's John Dyer and Sarah Linkman for their for their continued support and contributions to the conference.

The award recognises their ongoing support of the Skills agenda and Innovation Awards. Since the second conference in Manchester in 2017, they have brought groups of students from Liverpool Life Sciences UTC and The Studio School to present their innovative ideas and network with a range of science business people even travelling all the way to Edinburgh when the conference was held there in 2022.

Business of Science Conference 2022 Edinburgh

We thank the Business of Science Conference for the continued support and look forward to next years awards.

Liverpool Life Sciences UTC – BRI Journal

Tue, 20 May 2025 10:27:07 GMT

A fascinating dive into the research carried out by students in the Baltic Research Institute at Liverpool Life Sciences UTC.

Northern Schools Trust Celebrates British Science Week 2025

Tue, 13 May 2025 14:23:22 GMT

British Science Week 2025 was an incredible celebration of science, innovation, and discovery across the Northern Schools Trust involving students from Liverpool Life Sciences UTC, North Liverpool Academy, The Studio Liverpool, and our Primary Schools Four Oaks Primary, Roscoe Primary, New Park Primary and Thomas Gray Primary.

Northern Schools Trust Chess Tournament

Fri, 2 May 2025 10:25:18 GMT

Northern Schools Trust Chess Tournament: A Celebration of Strategy and Skill

Roscoe Primary School's Butterfly Forest officially opens

Fri, 2 May 2025 10:22:17 GMT

Roscoe Primary School's woodland area has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from an overgrown and unsafe space into a vibrant outdoor learning environment for pupils and the wider community.

NST CPD Day: Exceeding Expectations

Fri, 2 May 2025 10:18:51 GMT

On the last Friday of December 2024, the Northern Schools Trust welcomed all staff for the final CPD Day of the year at the North Liverpool Academy.

One Vision of NST: A CPD Day of Inspiration and Collaboration

Fri, 2 May 2025 10:14:24 GMT

On the last Friday of June, colleagues and educators from across the trust gathered at North Liverpool Academy for a day of professional development. The CPD Day’s theme was "One Vision – The Future of NST," and designed to share best practices, and align on a vision for the future.

A Warm Welcome

The day began with a warm welcome as attendees arrived, greeted by coffee and a breakfast spread. This initial gathering allowed colleagues from various schools to reconnect and catch up.

Nigel Ward kicked off the day with a heartfelt welcome and introduction, setting the tone with his emphasis on the significance of the trust's shared vision. Following him, our new Chief Education Officer Paul Smith provided an insightful session on "Our Educational Philosophy," highlighting the importance of fostering a nurturing and challenging environment for all students.

Raising Aspirations

Paul Smith introduced himself and spoke about his journey from a student to where he is today using his early career as a case study, emphasising that a child's aspirations are affected by the roles you have in your immediate environment. He shared the importance of letting children expand their horizons and experience professionals in many fields.

Paul Smith, Mark Robinson, and Ian Mooney then introduced the "Raising Aspirations Programme," underscoring the trust's commitment to broadening students' horizons and empowering them to achieve their full potential.

A Week in the Marketing Team: Work Experience

Fri, 2 Aug 2024 09:59:05 GMT

The Northern Schools Trust (NST) Marketing Team recently hosted a group of work experience students from North Liverpool Academy.

The 5-Day Challenge

Over five days, these students embarked on a digital marketing campaign challenge. They were each given a school part of the NST to focus their work on. Their mission was to create a fresh and engaging campaign to highlight their school's unique offering and attract new students.

Day 1: Research and Discovery

The week began with an introduction to the NST's Marketing team and an insight into their roles and skill set.

Before they got started, the students were given a tour of the Contemporary Urban Centre (CUC) building home to Liverpool Life Sciences UTC and The Studio School. This was a brand new experience for the students and they were interested in the unusual location and innovative layout of the two co-located schools.

The students were then introduced to their challenge before diving into research about their school’s unique offerings and the local competitive landscape. They explored the school's website and social channels to identify what makes it unique, and they analysed what nearby competitors (schools and alternative education providers) were doing in their marketing efforts.

Day 2: Understanding the Audience

The focus then shifted to understanding the target demographic - potential students in the surrounding area. The students conducted a SWOT analysis to identify the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats associated with the school’s marketing.

The students also delved into the wants, needs and online habits of their target audience to determine the best platforms and messaging to use to engage with them.

Students who were given Liverpool Life Sciences UTC as their school chose to focus on popular social media platforms like Instagram and X (formerly known as Twitter) while students tasked with The Studio School chose to focus on live- streaming platforms such as Twitch and Discord.