This national recognition celebrates the success of our pioneering Willow Hub Initiative – a school-wide wellbeing programme designed to nurture the holistic health of every member of our community.

We sat down with Mr Heeramun, Head of KS3, to find out what inspired the project, how it reflects the College’s values, and why he believes it will help pupils develop the skills they need to become creative, critical, and compassionate leaders of the future.

This year, we are proud to introduce our newly appointed Captains of School, Lucy and Vrishin, who will be working closely with staff and fellow pupils to champion pupil voice, uphold our traditions, and inspire others to make the most of their time at Worksop College. In this interview, they share their thoughts on leadership, their goals for the year ahead, and what being a Captain of School means to them.

In the 8A English class, we do this by having a key theme every half-term (this year they have been: Parents, Birds as Symbols, Intersectionality, Women and Society and Greatness).

One recent leaver who made the most of this incredible network is Archie Sims.

We spoke to Matilda, a Year 12 boarder from Bulgaria, about her experience settling into life at Worksop College and what makes it such a special place for international pupils.

The day was designed to immerse pupils in a world of scientific discovery, problem-solving, and imagination. Instead of their usual timetable, they rotated between different activities, each carefully crafted to bring a book to life.

In the spirit of environmental awareness, pupils read A Good Place and set about designing and building their own bug houses, learning about the importance of habitats and biodiversity. Meanwhile, Mix It Up encouraged pupils to get creative with colour mixing, using their hands and paint to explore how different shades blend together.

Space and planetary science were also key themes of the day. Inspired by Meet the Planets, pupils used shaving foam to recreate planets, experimenting with textures and colours to mimic the solar system. Those working with Discovering Planets took their learning a step further by designing their own solar systems, labelling each planet in both English and Mandarin.

For those with an inventive streak, Izzy Gizmo sparked creativity as pupils crafted their own slip pin birds, demonstrating problem-solving skills and engineering principles. Similarly, A Scientist Like Me inspired hands-on mini science experiments, showing how curiosity drives scientific discovery.

Some activities focused on the hidden science in everyday life. Pupils reading A Super Sticky Mistake got messy with slime-making, exploring the properties of different materials. What Are Germs? led to a fascinating session on microbiology, where pupils participated in germ experiments using paint to visualize how bacteria and viruses spread.

Sustainability and environmental consciousness were highlighted in activities inspired by A Place for Plastic, where pupils created artwork using recycled rubbish, learning about the impact of waste on the planet. Meanwhile, What Causes a Rainbow? introduced pupils to light experiments, exploring how prisms and water can break light into its colourful spectrum.

Technology and computing also played a role in the celebrations. Counting on Katherine took pupils to the ICT room, where they explored computing concepts related to space and engineering. On the Origin of Species introduced them to coding, demonstrating how patterns and logic shape our understanding of the natural world.

Science extended into art, movement, and design in several activities. Pupils reading The DNA Book constructed origami DNA models, visually representing the building blocks of life. Illumanatomy provided an interactive lesson on the skeletal and muscular systems, while My Inside Body linked science with movement and PE, encouraging pupils to understand how their own bodies function.

The wonders of the ocean were explored through Manfish, which introduced pupils to oceanography and the mysteries of the deep sea. Meanwhile, The Stuff of Stars combined art and poetry, helping pupils express the vastness and beauty of space through creative writing.

In a nod to engineering and invention, Laika & Rover – A Mars Collaboration saw pupils constructing straw-powered rockets, learning about propulsion and aerodynamics. Inspired by Heath Robinson Absurdities, another group of pupils designed their own over-the-top contraptions, mirroring the whimsical and intricate machines from the book.

Pupils also engaged in discussions and debates, bringing literature to life through thoughtful conversation. Lights on Cotton Rock inspired a class debate, alongside a creative writing session where pupils designed a "Magic and Wonder" spacecraft through descriptive prose. Meanwhile, Little People, Big Dreams encouraged discussions on endangered animals, prompting pupils to think critically about conservation efforts.

The day concluded with a celebration assembly, where pupils came together to showcase their creations, share their discoveries, and reflect on their experiences. It was a day filled with curiosity, hands-on learning, and a love for reading—an inspiring reminder of how books can open up a world of imagination and exploration.

Nationally, there has been a slight reduction this year in overall grades at Grade 7/A and at Grade 4/C, but the College’s pupils have bucked the national trend with significantly increased outcomes at both these levels, achieving almost twice as many top grade 9s-7s as the national average.

At Worksop College, the belief that mental health and emotional wellbeing are cornerstones of academic and personal growth is deeply ingrained. Recognising that students may sometimes face challenges and require a listening ear, the peer listening scheme was conceived to ensure that support is readily accessible to all. Mental Health Awareness Week provides a poignant backdrop for this scheme, as it spotlights the importance of mental health and encourages open conversations surrounding it.

We spoke to Mr Cawley, Wellbeing Lead and mastermind behind the peer listening programme.