Shrewsbury

New Partnership with Alpha Academy Trust begins

March 24th 2023

After many months of joint planning it was a pleasure to welcome the first cohort of 125 pupils from Alpha Academy Trust (Stoke-on-Trent) to the Schools for a Year 5 ‘Darwin Day’ experience.

This is part of a much bigger shared plan to work together cross-sector for mutual benefit – involving both primary and secondary aged pupils from Alpha, Packwood and Shrewsbury School.

We have a number of events planned for the rest of the year for various age cohorts, with classroom-based activities as well as opportunities for formal and informal learning in outdoor spaces. We will be aiming to involve Packwood and Shrewsbury students in delivery, drawing on their academic and co-curricular interests and expertise. The overall aim is to develop character, teamwork and leadership skills, and to have plenty of fun along the way.

The ‘Darwin Day’ provided an opportunity for introductions to the School and its most famous former pupil and his scientific thinking.

Dr Robin Brooke-Smith and Naomi Nicholas, with trusty support from Orlando B (Rt, UVI), Sam U (S, UVI) and Mia W (G, UVI), shared their knowledge about the young Charles Darwin and his formative years and also took a look at some of the treasures from the School’s Darwin collection. There was a carousel of hands-on science practical and interactive classes provided by the Science Faculty, and a large team of student helpers (Aidan K (S, LVI), Charlie S (EDH, LVI), Felix K (S, LVI), Cece l (G, UVI), Sapna C (G, UVI), Charlie S (I, LVI), Georgia E (G, LVI), Kitty S-P (M, UVI), Sasha P (SH, UVI) and Grace H (M, LVI)), ranging from exploring the physics of seed dispersal, to microbiology, to the examination of skeletons to study evolution and adaptations – all with Darwin’s thinking in mind. And, perhaps less predictable given the title of the day, there was a very active and creative dance session, with Sian Stanhope, our Head of Dance, alongside Kate W (M, UVI), Audrey S-T (M, LVI), Emily M (MSH, LVI) and Emma B (MSH, LVI), going through the moves and looking at how dance has evolved over the last century.

Louise Brammer, Primary School Improvement Lead at Alpha, felt the day had achieved its objectives.

"Shrewsbury School were fabulous hosts for our Year 5 Alpha day. The activities were well planned and thoroughly engaging for our pupils, exposing them to Darwin's 'Theory of Evolution' through Biology, Physics and Dance workshops. Shrewsbury School staff and pupils were more than generous in their planning, preparation and hospitality on the Science day. The pupils of both primary schools were in awe of the school. Our pupils can clearly articulate their experience and learning from the workshops applying this in their Science lessons upon return. A huge thank you to the pupils and staff."

Adam Smiter, Head of Science Outreach at Shrewsbury added: “It was an absolute pleasure to host Maple Court Academy and Eaton Park Academy for their Alpha Day here. The students were impeccably behaved and keen to get involved in every task throughout the day; leaving with a new insight into Science and hopefully a growing passion for the opportunities that STEM can bring. I am immensely grateful for the incredible efforts of the colleagues from Alpha, Shrewsbury School staff and students that came together and put on such an interesting and varied day of activities and am very much looking forward to the next one!