Creative Careers Day
CST students took part in The Storyhouse Experience: Careers and focussed on what it takes to plan and deliver an event.
As part of the experience, the young people visited the Storyhouse building and embarked on a backstage tour whilst having the task that was to follow in the back of their minds.
The students were tasked with proposing a launch event centred around Storyhouse's upcoming production of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz at The Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre. They met members of staff from various departments across Storyhouse, including finance, HR and Front of House, with a view to tapping into their expertise before arranging all the logistics surrounding the event, including elements such as:
o Health and safety
o Budgeting
o Commissioning artists/freelance staff
o Marketing the event
o Catering the event
After drafting their plan and working with peers from a different school to their own, the day culminated with the young people pitching their ideas to a panel of experts, who offered feedback and shared ideas for potential improvement.
Trip to University of Oxford Campus
A group of 60 Sixth Form students from CST schools took part in a trip to The University of Oxford to discover more about its colleges and admissions process, to help them to make an informed decision about applying.
Throughout the day, students were shown around the University, met with an admissions tutor, took part in a Q&A with current students and were given the opportunity for academic taster sessions. There also had free time to look around any other colleges and departments in which they might be interested in applying.
Northern Chamber Orchestra Masterclass
Talented musicians from Blacon and King's had the incredible opportunity to take part in a Masterclass with members of the Northern Chamber Orchestra at Storyhouse on January 15.
The composition and performance workshop took place in the studio space at the city centre theatre, and was part of a new collaboration for 2024 between Chester Schools Together and Storyhouse which will see partnership schools take part in a diverse range of creative events and projects.
The students, who play a mixture of brass and wind instruments, warmed up with some fun games based on percussion and rhythm, before hearing from members of the orchestra and playing alongside them in smaller ensembles.
The group then reconvened and had the opportunity to perform for each other.
Students make a splash with lifeguard qualification
Ten students from partnership schools came together at Cambrian Aquatics to complete their Royal Life Saving Society, National Pool Lifeguard Qualification, over the October half-term.
Students from Bishop’s Blue Coat C of E High School, Catholic High School Chester, Queens Park High School and Upton High School successfully completed the six day, physically demanding course which included swimming to set times, lifting casualties and diving to the deepest part of the pool.
Students then worked in groups to demonstrate pool rescue techniques, first aid and CPR skills, along with completing a lifeguard theory test paper, in order to pass the course and gain their qualification.
His Grace meets CST pupils and headteachers
His Grace The Duke of Westminster DL met pupils and headteachers from the Chester School Together partnership, which is a unique Independent State School Partnership (ISSP) between King’s, Bishops’ Blue Coat School and Blacon High School, Catholic High School Chester and Upton High School.
Originally established in 2018 with two partnership schools, the partnership identifies areas of mutual need or challenge across all five schools and creates a programme of events, projects and initiatives to improve outcomes and broaden the cultural and education horizons of pupils and staff.
The partnership receives generous funding from The Westminster Foundation and The Duke was delighted to speak to pupils who had directly benefitted from recent Chester School Together events.
Members are passionate about removing barriers to an enriched educational experience through an ambitious 5-year-development plan, which will eventually see all state secondary schools in Chester joining Chester Schools Together.
The partnership was delighted to be awarded the title of Highly Commended at The Independent School of the Year Awards for Outstanding Educational Partnerships in recognition of our innovative programme.
Chester Schools Together Rowing Programme
Launching our Chester Schools Together Rowing Programme definitely qualifies as a highlight of our partnership project so far.
Ten Year 8 pupils from each of our state school partners will enjoy weekly training sessions at King's Boat House throughout the academic year, with the ambition of building a Chester Schools Together Rowing Squad alongside King's pupils.
Stretch and Challenge Conference
The conference was held at The University of Chester and hosted by the Thriving Minds organisation, which runs the largest series of national conferences in Australasia and the UK, providing an inspirational and thought-provoking atmosphere for academically gifted pupils.
Students took part in sessions on three different academic topics, ending with a live debate. It was a fantastic opportunity for our curious students to improve their thinking skills and work alongside students from four other schools.
Chester Schools Together – Climate Change Symposium at Chester Zoo
More than 100 pupils from across the city gathered at Chester Zoo on May 25, 2023, for a two-day climate change symposium.
The Beyond COP21 Symposium global series started in Dubai in 2016 and this was the 35th Symposium in the global series, which has taken place in 18 different countries since its inception.
The symposium was CST's flagship event for 2023 and brought together Year 8 pupils from King’s, Blacon High School, The Bishops’ Blue Coat Church of England High School and Catholic High School Chester.
The pupils worked together to explore the global themes surrounding climate change and sustainability through workshops, presentations and exhibitions.
They also heard from experts and leaders in the sector.
They included:
- Cheshire West and Chester Council
- The Chester Cycling Campaign
- RECORD wildlife conservation organisation
- Chester Youth Climate Action Network
- Our Dee Estuary
The Chester Zoo Education Team also led the pupils on bespoke zoo trails to build on this knowledge.
F1 in Schools Saturday Masterclasses
The F1 in Schools project was held over three weekends at King’s, and attended by 24 pupils from three partner schools.
F1 in Schools’ main objective is to help change the perceptions of science, technology, engineering and maths by creating a fun and exciting learning environment for young people to develop an informed view about careers in engineering, Formula 1, science, marketing and technology.
This opportunity was targeted at students in year 7 and 8 in all partnership schools.
This opportunity was targeted at students in year 7 and 8 in all partnership schools.
The pupils worked in mixed groups to design and manufacture a miniature car out of the official F1 Model Block using CAD/CAM design principles. The cars were powered by CO₂ cartridges and are attached to a track by a nylon wire.
The final session involved each group pitching for sponsorship before hitting the track for the big race!
Scalextric Saturday Masterclasses
Over four weekends, more than 20 pupils took part in the Scalextric 4 Schools project for the latest Chester Schools Together Saturday Masterclasses.
Each of the four sessions focussed on a different area of the design and production of the cars before they took to the track for the final time trials.
The Scalextric4schools Challenge curriculum is for secondary school children to design their own Scalextric car in Pro/ENGINEER. Students are challenged to design and manufacture their car, fit it with a standard Scalextric motor and drive train, and then race it on a standard Scalextric track.