Recently I had the opportunity to travel to Geneva, Switzerland and visit CERN; the European Centre for Nuclear Research, an establishment renowned and esteemed for its pioneering contributions to the world of science and technology-responsible for the development of the internet and most recently, the discovery of the elusive Higgs Boson particle.

CERN is constituted of a variety of experiments, laboratories and impressive feats of engineering. It’s most prestigious icon the Large Hadron Collider, a 27 km long elliptical tube buried 100m underground, featuring two high energy proton beams which travel at 99.9991% of the speed of light in opposite directions, eventually colliding at specified points at which the experiments are constructed around.

The scientists at CERN are focussing on various objectives: investigating the nature of dark matter which according to the current theories suggests the existence of a possible 11 dimensions rather than the standard 4 (12 if there are two time dimensions), super gravity and super symmetry particles and also the unexplained reduction of antimatter in the universe. They do this by accelerating particles at the highest speeds, and therefore energies, possible and colliding them to create the conditions just yoctoseconds after the Hot Big Bang – it should be noted here that the speed of light is unreachable due to the exponential increase of mass when approaching the speed light which therefore causes the energy needed to accelerate the mass to reach infinity (infinite energy being an obvious impossibility). The result of these collisions is multiple decays, annihilations and pair production incidents.

With the detector recording over 40 million collisions every second it takes the combined effort of thousands of scientists from all over the globe. Being a source of revolutionary enhancements in the fields of mathematics, computer programming, physics, engineering and cryogenics, CERN is the epitome of human advancement.

Having the chance to speak with the scientists who work there, to see the LHC tunnel and the Compact Muon Solenoid detector at CERN has given me a firmer impression of where I would like to be in the future. It was a fantastic experience and I hope that one day I can return to CERN to study or even work there.

Joseph Aziz
Year 11 AG&T Triple Scientist
Bosworth Academy

Our students and teachers all pulled together to make this great little film for the recent KS4 Open Evening about Bosworth.

Click the link below to see it, we hope you like it.

Bosworth KS4 Video 2013

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Click the link below to download an update from the principal:

Bosworth Update Letter [pdf]

Mike Catt in his role as Yorkshire Bank Ambassador visited Bosworth Academy on Tuesday 24th September to cast his eye over thirty five students involved in the U16 and U18 rugby teams. Taking time out from his role as attacking skills coach for England; world cup winner Mike joined in with a session being led by ex-student Harry Yorke displaying his prowess alongside the students. Being alongside such an elite performer who was prepared to join in as one of the lads was a real bonus for the students and every player left inspired to play the game for enjoyment but also with some top tips that they can put into their own game to improve their performance. The question and answer session that followed the coaching session enabled students to take the opportunity to find out more about the life of an elite professional; the current England set up and the behind the scenes information on their favourite players. Mike gave a great insight into all of these areas and was able to share some of his own personal experiences and views on rugby. This was a fantastic opportunity created by Yorkshire Bank and one that will have great benefit on the students, the Academy and the local clubs that the players and coaches who attended represent.

Chris Garnett, Assistant Principal said of the visit, “It was a great opportunity for our students to work alongside a highly respected rugby player and to take some great messages that will serve them well in their own rugby careers”.

Bosworth Academy hosted three ‘Big Bang’ days in June and July 2013 – an opportunity for Year 5s from local primary schools (including; Barlestone, Desford, Congerstone, Witherley, Ravenhurst, Millfield, Kingsway, Thornton, Dovelands, Dovebank, St Peters CofE and Sheepy Magna) to experience the excitement and enjoy some of the elements that make science both fascinating and fun.

Over the three days 420 pupils had taken part in the Big Bank experience. Each day pupils were divided into eight groups named after influential scientists: Charles Darwin, Robert Winston, Marie Curie, Stephen Hawking, Rosalind, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, Alfred Nobel and Albert Einstein. As a group, pupils discovered how fireworks were made and why they can be lots of different colours. After doing some tests of their own on different chemicals, pupils met an order at the ‘Bosworth Fireworks Factory’! They used microscopes to look at plant and animal cells magnified to 100 times their actual size. They learnt the experimental skills to reverse a reaction (like melting or dissolving) and after finding out how sound waves worked, they made and tested a speaker of their own.

The days were a great success with pupils describing them as ‘awesome’. Pupils each received a Certificate of Participation, a sheet remaining them of what they had done during the day and some information about each scientist the group had been named after. You never know – in years to come one of these young people may have a group named after them!

Our second Awards Evening took place in the last week of term when the Academy celebrated the excellence of over 100 students across 30 subjects and categories. An even mix of young men and young ladies received a certificate and glass trophy to acknowledge their efforts throughout their last two or four years at the Academy.

The evening was a great success, attended by parents, staff, Governors also students from past years in their capacity as Alumni for a given subject. Pre drinks, a buffet, together with musical intervals provided by staff, students and ex-students all ensured a great evening was had by all.

During the month of June Bosworth Academy hosted their second annual mini Olympics. Approximately 70 primary school pupils from several schools in the area including Barlestone, Huncote and Sheepy Magna, joined Bosworth staff and leaders to take part in an activity of their choice. Pupils were guided through an opening ceremony by Bosworth leaders before breaking away to their activity. Many pupils gained the opportunity to step on the podium during the closing ceremony and take in the atmosphere and applause. Pupils left Bosworth having had a successful and enjoyable day. Congratulations to all involved.

10SML & 12AWO are the proud winners of their second Bosworth Games. All Year 10 and 12 students represented their tutor groups in either a traditional activity or an alternative activity. Each tutor group was given the name of a GB medalist from the London Games to continue celebrating our country’s success last summer. Students experienced success and enjoyment with a wide range of activities available including egg and spoon races, penalty shoot outs, shot put and 100m sprints.

As well as taking their event very seriously, students were very supportive of peers, particularly around the tug-of-war area! Students also enjoyed photographs and journalistic roles with the opportunity to produce an article about the games. Well done to all Year 10 and 12 students.

Money Management from Yorkshire Bank, Maximising Home Learning, Selecting and applying to Univeristy, Supporting students with Dyslexia, preparing for a change of school and e-safety…