Beamont Collegiate Academy’s principal got the royal seal of approval as he was invited to a celebration at Buckingham Palace last week. The Long Lane school has been recognised for its continued success with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and head Andrew Moorcroft was invited to the palace to receive a commemorative plaque. He said: “At Beamont Collegiate Academy we encourage ourstudents to be resilient and aspirational – the Duke of Edinburgh Award is valued by colleges and employers as recognition of students’ hard work to develop themselves into the best they can be. “The academy is delighted to be invited to the palace to receive such a prestigious accolade.”

The RAF and Navy have paid a visit to Beamont Collegiate Academy. Students in years eight and nine at the Long Lane school were given the chance to investigate technology used in the modern military when they were paid a visit by the forces. They experienced the full power of a jet engine in the school’s sports hall and also flew an RAF drone. Chris Hillidge, director of science, technology, engineering and maths, said: “Our job at the academy is to inspire the next generation of engineers to design and build the machines of the future. Our STEM students work with all kinds of scientists and designers to experience life as a professional in a STEM career.”

PUPILS from Beamont Collegiate Academy in Orford were given a special tour of Warrington’s RSPCA centre after raising money and equipment for the animal charity. The Long Lane school’s charity enrichment club raised £100 as well as food, toys and blankets for the animals, and students were given a tour of the Slutchers Lane facility as a thank you. Students saw the kennels, cattery and veterinary centre and also got the chance to enjoy cuddles with Michael the dog.

In preparation for September when 40 of BCA’s best STEM students travel out to New York and Boston to experience the world’s best Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, Mr Hillidge  jetted over the Atlantic to check everything out beforehand.

‘Whilst I was over there I stayed in the beautiful hostels in Boston and New York – these wonderful historic buildings have been renovated to hotel standard and are right at the heart of both exciting cities’ said Mr Hillidge.

Whilst there, BCA’s Director of STEM, Chris Hillidge, visited Harvard and MIT to look at where our students will interact with cutting edge scientists from both universities. He also spoke to the Marine Biologists who will take the students out into the Atlantic Ocean to see whales and dolphins.

‘One of the most exciting developments for our students is the chance to work with Lowell and iRobot who have developed robots such as the Mars Lander that we have all seen on the news’.

In New York, our hostel is right on the edge of Central Park, a huge oasis for studying habitat ecology within a city environment. The students will also get a VIP event at the NY Yankees baseball to watch them play and look at many aspects of sports science and nutrition as well as the darker side of sport when athletes cheat. 

Mr Hillidge said ‘ Every scientist and engineer I spoke to in the US couldn’t believe the  amazing opportunity STEM students from Beamont were being offered and emphasised what a kick start to an amazing career in an exciting STEM career it would be’

Next stop Boston in September with the fantastic STEM students from Beamont Collegiate Academy!