Eating Insects – Would You Do It and Why?

As part of the Virtual Plus Educational Festival for More Able students, pupils were asked a simple question – would you eat insects?

The session asked pupils to think about what they eat and how it impacts on their own health and the environment. Pupils used the app Padlet to collaborate to identify the carbon footprint of the food in their cupboards. It invited the children to consider why some people think we should eat insects and explored the modern face of insect farming – including here in the UK. Led by educational researcher at the University of Bristol, Dr Verity Jones led the first research of its kind that asked children under 14 years old – would you eat bugs? The Liverpool College pupils participating were absolutely fascinated by the workshop and were positively ‘buzzing’ after the workshop. Well done to all who participated and especially to the 90% who said they would be willing to try a bug burger when we got back to school.

Mrs Doran

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Stop Frame Animation Workshop

Multiple Liverpool College pupils were stopped in their tracks this week when they participated in a practical workshop on how to create their own stop frame animation cartoons. Led by Gordon Parsonage, a Junior Content Producer at 20Twenty Productions, the session showed Pre Prep and Prep pupils an insight into how some of the great StopMotion Animation films were created. Using the free “StopMotion Studio” app, they were then taught the fundamental basics by creating their own a short movie.

Mrs Doran

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KS3 Masterclass - Using Critical Thinking as Your Superpower?

Fake news – can you recognise it? Over half term, KS3 More Able pupils were invited to an interactive masterclass offering an introduction into critical and creative thinking and how to applies to everyday situations. The workshop was led by Alex Elliott and Tom Ziessen, the Managing Directors of Oxford Catalyst, they specialise in how to teach young people to think critically and creatively, to analyse important issues and think for themselves. During the session, pupils learnt how and when they would need to apply critical thinking skills in the real world, from establishing what is and isn’t fake news, knowing whether to sign an internet petition, to deciding which points should be included in an essay or knowing how best to see things from different perspectives and win an argument. An incredibly important message with real-life applications – the pupils who participated gained a great deal from the experience.

Mrs Doran

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Introduction to Quantum Computing - KS3 Masterclass

Jessica Pointing, selected for Forbes 30 under 30 in Science, led a fascinating masterclass in quantum computing this week. Targeted at More Able students in Key Stage 3, Jessica explained the science behind quantum computing and the implications of the technology for the future. Applications in fields such as machine learning, medicine, and energy systems were discussed. The pupils enjoyed crash course in computing and excelled with their superb questions.

Mrs Doran

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Art through Lockdown: Professional Artist Lessons

Year 3 are currently studying L. S. Lowry in Art this term, so who better to teach how to draw in his style but professional artist from The Lowry Centre – Paul Pickford. Each week, pupils have been receiving a live workshop by this amazing artist, who delighted pupils with both his knowledge about Lowry and his exceptional artist talent.  Year 3 pupils have been able to follow his step by step live demonstrations to create unbelievable art work. Initially, they explored ‘perspectives landscapes’ and looked at how Lowry used line and shape and shading to add depth of perspective to a street scene. Then they focussed on ‘The Portrait of Ann’ and learnt how to measure the proportions of a face and add emotion and context. Finally, they used the picture "A Fight" to see how Lowry left visual clues so that his pictures told stories to create a narrative through art. All the pupils have benefited from his exceptional expertise. A sincere thank you to Paul for sharing his talent with us and to the Wilton Trust for supporting the school and making the event possible.  

Mrs Doran

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Y13 Apprenticeship Talk

Amazing Apprenticeships delivered a superb talk for Y13 students interested in apprenticeships this week. Mrs Jan Aggar, a representative of the Greater Merseyside Learning Providers’ Federation, gave students an informative and realistic guide to apprenticeships in the Northwest.  She discussed the breadth of apprenticeships currently available and guided students through the best ways to secure the most suitable apprenticeship for them, including a guide to degree apprenticeships and the companies that utilise them. What was unique about this talk was Jan offered bespoke support for students interested in pursuing this career route and shared information about business currently advertising for apprenticeships through the National Apprenticeship service.

Any Y11 or Y13 students interested in a bespoke careers sessions with Mrs Aggar, please email Mrs Doran.  

Mrs Doran

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