Year 12 Students Inspired by Science at Youth Summit
Our Year 12 students took part in a Youth Summit organised by the Royal Institution and the National Space Centre, exploring some of the fascinating themes behind the 2026 Christmas Lectures.
The girls heard from experts on a range of topics around our understanding of time – from how our perception of time can change depending on our emotions, to concepts including time dilation and the twin paradox.
The students also took part in discussion groups, sharing their own ideas, questioning what they had heard and contributing their perspectives on the themes being explored. Their feedback will help inform the development of this year’s Christmas Lectures – and there is even the possibility that some of their contributions could feature in the BBC Four programme.
The experience is a great example of the kind of academic enrichment and engagement beyond the classroom that will become increasingly important as our Sixth Form moves towards WISE – Women in Science & Enterprise from next academic year.
Andrew McMurray, Head of Science, said: “It was fantastic to see our students engaging with complex scientific ideas and having the confidence to contribute their own thoughts and questions. Opportunities to meet experts, explore science beyond the curriculum and see where their interests could take them are incredibly valuable. I’m particularly excited about the direction of our Sixth Form through WISE next year and the opportunities it will create for our students to engage even more deeply with science, research and the world beyond school.”
It was an inspiring day which challenged our students to think differently, gave them the opportunity to have their voices heard and offered another glimpse of where a passion for science could take them in the future.