Saturday evening saw the launch of the group task that each of the cohorts will be undertaking over the course of the week – our very own apprentice style challenge. Lord Sadler (!) will be ably supported by members of his judging team in deciding which group has created the best brand and online presence for their very own coffee chain – competition is developing feverishly!

Our two older cohorts remain exams focused given the time of year, with the addition of a talk on A-Level choices and the path to University (introducing the idea of UCAS) for the year 11. Year 12 have continued with their subject specific lessons – those students taking Maths, Physics, History and Sociology have all received intensive support over the past 24 hours. Activities have been tailored to meet their needs as identified by the students themselves, ranging from additional support with Physics practicals to a Seminar on the Sociology of the Family and Education. The opportunity to work with each other alongside those with particular subject expertise is a fantastic way for our students to learn and revise, and they seem intent on making the most of it, impressing hugely along the way. Feedback from both staff and students has been very positive indeed and the bespoke nature of the timetable appears to be working well – long may it continue!

There is a real buzz around this residential at the moment – energy and intellectual curiosity levels remain sky high despite the fact it is firmly the weekend! In addition to the exam support for years 11 and 12 described above, the year 10 timetable continues to allow the students to engage with subject areas they may not ordinarily encounter at school, with lessons in Philosophy, Law and, perhaps most excitingly of all, Geopolitics and James Bond (delivered by one of our original mentors, Rosalie) all warmly received on Saturday afternoon. Who knew James Bond could tell us so much about how we perceive the world? Sunday morning continued this theme – applying Science to test the Citric Acid in Orange Juice and to make Mayonnaise! It’s yet to be seen whether any ends up on tonight’s dinner table…