Curiosity takes flight in Senior School

This year’s British Science Week provided an inspiring opportunity for pupils across the whole school to embrace the theme “Curiosity: what’s your question?”. From our youngest learners to our Senior School students, the week was filled with critical thinking and hands-on exploration.

In the Senior School, pupils immersed themselves in a week-long engineering challenge: to design, build and test parachutes. This project placed curiosity at the centre of learning, as students explored questions such as: Which materials are most effective? How does shape influence air resistance? What size creates the slowest descent?

Through a process of designing, prototyping, testing and refining, pupils developed key STEM skills, including problem-solving and analytical thinking. Each test flight provided valuable data, encouraging students to evaluate outcomes and adapt their designs – mirroring real-world scientific and engineering practices.

The parachute challenge also highlighted the importance of collaboration and innovation. Pupils worked both independently and in teams, sharing ideas and learning from one another as they sought to improve performance. By applying scientific concepts, they gained a deeper understanding of the principles behind their designs.

While the Senior School focused on this ambitious project, British Science Week was very much a whole-school celebration. Across the Prep Department, pupils explored a wide range of scientific questions – from investigating states of matter and ecosystems to looking at lunar vehicles and experimenting with sound and materials.

This continuity of learning reflects our commitment to nurturing curiosity at every stage. By the time pupils reach the Senior School, they are well-equipped to tackle challenges with confidence, creativity and a strong foundation in scientific thinking.