Last month we were thrilled to welcome CAT Lowry (Centre for Advanced Training) into school for an inspiring three hour workshop! Pupils from years 7–11 took part in high-energy, contemporary technique and creative workshops, developing their skills, confidence and creativity with professional guidance. Everyone had a great time – thank you to CAT Lowry for providing this opportunity for our pupils.
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Some of our year 9 students took part in an exciting ‘Life in Space’ workshop delivered by the National Space Academy. Our visiting space advocates explored how humans adapt to life beyond Earth, the forces experienced in space and the chemical reactions that make space travel possible. Students enjoyed taking part in hands-on mini experiments, learning about future career pathways in the space industry and even had the opportunity to explore a real cosmonaut suit. A fantastic and inspiring experience for all involved.
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On Monday 5 January, staff from Philips joined colleagues from across Oak Learning Partnership’s other schools for the annual trust-wide staff conference, held at Bolton Excellency Centre. Around 650 colleagues took part in the day, which focused on the theme ‘Everyone welcome – connected communities: Reaching every learner, supporting every educator’. The conference was a chance for staff to step away from their day-to-day roles, reconnect with colleagues from across the trust and take part in a wide range of CPD sessions. These sessions encouraged reflection, discussion and practical thinking about how we continue to build inclusive, supportive environments for…
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This morning, Philips High School held a poignant Remembrance Day ceremony to mark Armistice Day and honour those who lost their lives in conflict. At 11:00am, the entire school community paused for a national two-minute silence to commemorate the end of the First World War. The ceremony, led by the school’s cadets, took place in the school yard where Year 7 students gathered to observe the occasion. Year 11 cadet George performed The Last Post, signalling the start of the silence, as the cadets stood to attention in a formal parade. The service reflected the school’s deep respect for remembrance…
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Students and staff put their best feet forward yesterday as they showed off their odd socks in celebration of Anti-Bullying Week. Odd Socks Day is an initiative run as part of Anti-Bullying Week to celebrate individuality and prompt conversations around inclusivity and kindness. The group were joined by Councillor Lucy Smith, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Bury Council, and Lynne Ridsale, Chief Executive at Bury Council, to talk to them about the anti-bullying initiatives run in school. Students talked about their roles as anti-bullying ambassadors and discussed how they support peers in school. They also explained all…
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Philips High School is celebrating after new Department for Education data placed it as one of the best performing comprehensive secondary schools in Bury and the North West. The figures, released on Friday 16 October, show the Whitefield school has achieved its best-ever GCSE results – a milestone moment for pupils, staff and families. More than half of the school’s Year 11 cohort – 55% – earned a grade 5 or above in both English and maths, up by 10% compared to 2024 and significantly above the national average of 45%. The results reflect year-on-year progress under a new school…
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The Geography department took year 7 students to Ainsdale beach to learn about coastlines and bring their curriculum alive. Everybody had a wonderful time and were able to put their learning to the test. Enrichment trips play a valuable part of the curriculum at Philips and everyone gets a lot out of them.
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Our year 7 students have recently been learning about reproduction in their science lessons. As part of this learning they were tasked to apply their scientific skills to document daily observations of plants growing. They did a great job, were very thorough and enjoyed being able to track the plants’ growth. it was a great way to put their learning into practice. Well done guys!
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In an impressive display of creativity and adaptability, the science department at Philips High School transformed the sports hall into a dynamic mock field and river environment for year 11 students. This innovative approach allowed students to develop critical field investigation skills in a controlled setting, overcoming the challenges posed by winter weather. The setup provided students with a unique opportunity to observe and investigate a specific organism while engaging in practical, hands-on learning. The results were overwhelmingly positive, with 95% of students reporting an improved understanding of field investigations. Beyond the field studies, students delved into ecological concepts such…
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We are thrilled to share the results from the 2024 Bury Schools’ Cross Country Championships held at Heaton Park. It was an exciting day of competition, with 11 schools and approximately 110 pupils participating in each race. We are particularly proud of our pupils, with several exceptional performances that stood out. Our top 20 finishers showcased incredible dedication and skill and we are excited to announce that any pupil who finished in the top 12 will have the opportunity to represent Bury at the Greater Manchester Cross Country Championships – an amazing achievement! A truly memorable moment came during the…
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