Teacher Training Through School Direct

Our 2018-19 School Direct trainees have completed the first half term of their programme. One of our trainees, Miss Daffern has provided an update on her progress:

I started my School Direct PGCE in September through Hope University in alliance with Liverpool College. I have felt extremely supported through the school and feel the School Direct scheme has been extremely beneficial to me.

The teaching staff have really helped me by providing me with yearly, termly and weekly planning which has allowed me to plan a lot of my work in advance. My weekly meetings have really helped me to focus on where I need to be progressing within my teaching and have allowed me to develop my skills. I really love the balance of school and University compared to that of a normal PGCE as it has allowed me to gain confidence within my teaching sooner. My mentor has been amazing at providing me with all the relevant information that I have needed and allowing me to contact her out of school hours. This has been great when I feel a bit stuck with my planning or need a bit of guidance as I always have her support.

I would highly recommend this course to anyone who is wishing to go in to teaching as I feel it has allowed me to flourish. I am really enjoying my time on the course and have felt as though my creativity within teaching has progressed.

To find out more about training to be a teacher at Liverpool College through the School Direct programme and training places for 2019-20, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

What is School Direct?

The School Direct teacher training programme allows postgraduate trainees to work closely with a school to gain a teaching qualification, while still having the benefits of university support and study. If you choose to train with Liverpool College School Direct Alliance, you will participate in the PGCE programme offered by Liverpool Hope University, having your subject training delivered by Liverpool Hope tutors, whilst your professional development will be provided in school by experienced teachers from across the alliance. You will also have the opportunity to take part in PGCE conferences and other events organised by Liverpool Hope University. We feel that this mixture gives our trainees the best of both worlds – practical training led by professionals who really know the challenges of school life married with high quality academic input and the opportunity to mix with trainees from across the city region at Liverpool Hope University.

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Debating at the House of Lords

On Friday 16 November, we are taking eighteen of our most articulate and opinionated pupils to participate in a debate in the House of Lords. The debate will centre around opportunities for women in this country and across the globe. Our transport and accommodation costs are being met by the charity Plan International who are organising the event.

We are one of only twelve schools nationally to be given this opportunity, and our students will be debating in the main chamber of the house. Moreover, the debate will be broadcast live on the BBC Parliament Channel and live-streamed on YouTube. It promises to be a memorable occasion for all.

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A Pupil’s Reflection on the Festival of Remembrance

Year 11 pupil Yazmin H (Howard’s) took part in the Festival of Remembrance event at Mossley Hill Church:

It’s nearly 100 years since the end of WW1 and to commemorate all those affected, the Liverpool College Expressive Arts Faculty joined with Mossley Hill Church and the BBC to create a collage of entertainment for the local community on Saturday 3 November.

The Art department were involved by creating a lawn of handmade poppies outside the church. This creative work was inspired by Miss McWatt and Mrs Hardisty. I thought these handmade poppies were striking yet beautiful, the attention to detail created a symbolic visual reminder for visitors of the church that Remembrance was fast approaching.

The music department, led by Mr Bishop, organised a ‘Mums' choir’. This choir included staff such as Dr McNamara and previous members of staff such as Mrs Alexander. It represented the collection of mums who during the war grouped together as a choir to support each other; as they waved their sons and husbands off to war. The choir also sang a collection of well-known war songs and before long the audience was involved in a sing -a -along too, this was both uplifting and great fun!

I was involved in the drama performance during the evening- the members of this small cast were Mrs Hall, my sister Eleanor and a former pupil of the College, Tom Martin. When writing this short script Mrs Hall wanted to focus upon the plight of women left behind and poor families who struggled during the conflict. Although a short performance, we hoped to communicate a strong message that sacrifices had to be made during war and it was not easy for women left behind to cope with the harsh reality of grief and loss, along with financial burdens and the dilemma of selling a husband’s best suit at the pawn shop.

It wasn’t just Liverpool College involved in the Remembrance Service; there were others whose contribution made the night as special as ours did- such as the Welsh Choral Choir. Personally, I have to agree that the night was an experience I won’t forget- not because I performed, or got a picture with Annabelle Tiffin, but because it made me reflect on how lucky we are nowadays to not have to suffer like so many did.

I’m also looking forward to attending our school’s Remembrance Service on Sunday 11 November and I feel this experience has made me understand and appreciate the significance of WW1 in particular. Finally, I would also like to thank the College for creating these opportunities for me.

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Festival of Remembrance

The pupils and staff at Liverpool College have collaborated with Mossley Hill Church to explore the human suffering, sacrifice and courage of families during the Great War. We have used the expressive arts to try and help share the stories of our community at that time. This collaboration all came together at the Festival of Remembrance at the church on Saturday evening:

Pupils produced the public art installation ‘To Sleep with the Flowers of Red’ in the church gardens creating a field of red poppies from recycling plastic water bottles. The pupils developed the idea whilst studying a poem by an unknown World War One soldier ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red’ and the art work by Paul Cummins and Tom Piper.

Drama was represented by a play, written and performed by Mrs Hall, that was inspired by one of the many families who lost sons, husbands and brothers in battle and the plight of the women who were left behind. The piece focused upon the resilience of those families and the importance of the community they lived in.

‘When the fields are white with daisies’ was made famous by Florrie Forde (1876-1940), and was performed by pupils and parents from Liverpool College during the event. Many mothers had the heartbreak of seeing their sons head off to fight in the war, not knowing whether they would see them again. Some decided to form support groups to help each other through the ordeal which, amongst other things, included choirs. The original music was composed by C.M. Denison & W.A. Pratt in 1900, and the new arrangement performed on Saturday was by Mr Bishop (Director of Music)

Our Remembrance events continue this week with a special secondary phase assembly on Friday led by Major Ridley (CCF Contingent Commander) followed by our annual Parade and Service in the College Chapel on Remembrance Sunday.

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Celebrating Pupil Success

It is never easy to make one’s way back to the routines of school life after a break, but for the 22 pupils in the senior school listed below who gained the most number of achievement points in the first half of the Michaelmas Term , the walk through the school gates after the half term break was a stroll towards their award lunch, catered by Domino's Pizza! 

  • Yassin Y (Brook’s) and Harrison D (Selwyn’s) – Top score
  • Visva S (Brook’s)
  • Erin B (Brook’s)
  • Laurence P W (Brook’s)
  • Scarlett T (Butler’s)
  • Rafi B (Butler’s)
  • Alhusain E (Butler’s)
  • Sienna K (Butler’s)
  • Mikaal C (Howard’s)
  • Mikayla D-C (Howard’s)
  • Zizi M (Howson’s)
  • Lucy N (Howson’s)
  • Matthew R (Howson’s)
  • Annabel A (School)
  • Harrison A (School)
  • Finlay T (School)
  • Hamid O (School)
  • Neve W (Selwyn’s)
  • Scarlet W (Selwyn’s)
  • Lucy C (Selwyn’s)
  • Gerrard J (Selwyn’s)

At the final assembly of the first half term, in addition to congratulating the achievement point winners, Mr Cook (Sports Coordinator) also made an award of a certificate and 50 house points for two pupils in each year group for their outstanding accomplishment and sportsmanship in games in the first half term:

  • Year 7: Harry H (Butler’s) and Amy P (Brook’s)
  • Year 8: Jude R (Brook’s) and Ruby K (Butler’s)
  • Year 9: Ethan F (Howson’s) and Alice D (Brook’s)
  • Year 10: Ross F (Butler’s) Charlotte B (Howson’s)
  • Year 11 Sebastian C (Howson’s) and Madison W (Howard’s)
  • Year 12: Michael C (Selwyn’s) and Anna D’A (Butler’s)
  • Year 13: Michael J (Howard’s) and Charlotte L B-B (Selwyn’s)

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Fantastic Hockey Teams Just Miss Out on Clean Sweep at St Edward’s College

If you ever have a few hours to spare on a Saturday morning then check out this academic year’s Liverpool College Hockey Teams.

The teams are flowing with confidence and energy under the guidance of coaches Ms Arnold and Ms McLindon - this was once again evident on Saturday morning at St Edward’s College, as our U15, U14, U13 and U12's were in action. There is a buzz of excitement around the Hockey pitch from Liverpool College staff and parents as the pupils discuss tactics and put on their hockey gear in readiness to do battle, every pupil has their part to play and all play to their maximum effort level.

In this week's dominant displays versus St Edward’s, in which the College won three out of four matches, the names to mention are the unsung heroes who provide much steeliness to the backline. U15 player Kate B, U14 player Abigail A, U13 player Lucy N, and U12 player Ella D – coaching staff reported that they were all amazing.

The triumphant Hockey teams are ready to move on to their next battle.

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Early Success for Liverpool College Sports Teams

The start of the academic year saw a slightly different approach to games sessions and after school activities for the pupils of Liverpool College.

After careful analysis and consultation amongst coaching staff, pupils were put into groups for each games session. This gives the pupils the opportunity to develop in a particular sport where they have been identified as having a strength. After school activities have enabled pupils to be part of a regular training schedule on a Monday afternoon and throughout the week pupils have participated in the additional sports of Gaelic Football and Girls Rugby.

As the foundations have been laid, the rewards have seen the 1st Rugby team secure impressive wins versus St Edwards College, Lymm High School and Cheadle Hulme School. The girls have recorded impressive Hockey and Netball results versus St Edwards College, Cowley International College and QEGS Blackburn.

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