Secondary Award Winners 25/26 Summer - Details

Two portable basketball hoops to expand court capacity and support increased participation in basketball across the school. The additional equipment will enable the creation of four full courts, allowing pupils in Key Stages 3 and 4 to take part in full-court play during PE lessons, where tactical awareness, decision-making and teamwork can be developed more effectively. Pupils across Years 7–13 will also benefit through improved access to training, clubs and competitive opportunities, including inter-house competitions and tournaments. Increased availability will reduce overcrowding and allow more pupils, including those not involved in teams, to participate regularly. The project will strengthen engagement in physical activity and support the continued growth of basketball within the school and wider community.

A volleyball net set, handball goals and a pickleball set to support the development of alternative sports within the school’s PE curriculum and extracurricular programme. The equipment will engage pupils in Years 9–11, particularly those less motivated by traditional sports, by offering varied and accessible physical activities. Pupils will benefit from increased participation in physical exercise, improved teamwork and opportunities to develop leadership and social skills through structured group activities. The resources will also be used with primary pupils during transition and link days, supporting wider engagement. The programme will help foster a more inclusive sporting environment and encourage sustained involvement in physical activity across different pupil groups.

A wall-mounted basketball goal and an adjustable-height basketball goal to expand basketball provision and improve access to competitive play within PE lessons and clubs. The additional goals will enable more small-sided games to take place simultaneously, increasing active participation and reducing waiting time during lessons. The adjustable-height goal will particularly benefit younger pupils and those with SEND by increasing scoring success and supporting skill development and confidence. Pupils across the school will gain more opportunities to develop teamwork, tactical understanding and game awareness in realistic match situations. The enhanced facilities will also support the hosting of local primary school events, strengthening community links and broadening participation in basketball.

A UV lamp, TLC plates, a DNA model with stand, a point quadrat, a wildlife camera, a microscope camera and a dual-colour laser to enhance practical science teaching across A Level Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The equipment will support required practicals, enabling pupils in Years 12 and 13 to carry out experiments essential for their courses with greater accuracy and understanding. Pupils will benefit from improved visualisation of complex concepts, such as molecular structure and microscopic processes, as well as more effective data collection in fieldwork. The resources will also allow teachers to model experiments more clearly for whole classes. This investment will strengthen practical skills, deepen conceptual understanding and support stronger outcomes in advanced science courses.

Two XbotGo Falcon AI sports cameras to enhance teaching, assessment and performance analysis across PE. The cameras will enable automatic recording of lessons, training sessions and fixtures, allowing pupils to review their performance and develop a clearer understanding of strengths and areas for improvement. Pupils across the school will benefit from visual feedback that supports skill development, decision-making and tactical awareness. The technology will also support accurate assessment and moderation, while providing exemplar material for teaching. In addition, sports academy pupils will use the footage to analyse performance in greater depth, supporting progression and raising standards in competitive sport.

A one-day “Learning to Learn” programme from Glia Learning to develop Year 10 students’ understanding of how learning works and to introduce effective, evidence-informed revision strategies. Delivered through a whole-cohort presentation and targeted workshops, the programme will benefit 224 pupils by addressing common ineffective study habits and building skills such as retrieval practice, spaced repetition and revision planning. This will support attainment across all GCSE subjects by improving knowledge retention, organisation and independent study. Targeted support will help underperforming pupils close gaps, while clear, practical techniques will reduce anxiety and increase confidence. Follow-up use of shared strategies across departments will help embed consistent learning habits throughout Key Stage 4.

A class pack of 1–12V 6A power supplies with trolley to enable reliable, hands-on practical work in Physics across Key Stages 3 and 4. The equipment will support delivery of GCSE required practicals, allowing pupils to investigate electrical circuits, resistance and current with consistent, accurate results. Improved reliability will reduce anomalous data, helping students build confidence in experimental work and deepen understanding of core scientific concepts. Increased availability of equipment will shift lessons from demonstration to active participation, strengthening enquiry skills and engagement. The resources will also support science clubs and primary outreach, extending access to practical STEM experiences and encouraging sustained interest in science.

Socketed netball posts and post protectors to provide permanent, safe and high-quality netball facilities on the school’s MUGA for pupils in Years 7–11. The installation will remove the need for time-consuming set-up of portable equipment, maximising active lesson time and enabling more consistent delivery of netball within the PE curriculum. Pupils will benefit from improved opportunities to develop core skills, teamwork and game understanding in a reliable playing environment. The upgraded facilities will also support inclusive participation for both boys and girls, as well as regular use during breaktimes and at a well-attended netball club, encouraging wider engagement in physical activity.

Kin-Ball equipment, inflator pump and Cornhole sets to broaden the school’s PE and extracurricular offer with inclusive alternative sports for students in Years 7–13. Kin-Ball promotes teamwork, communication and coordination through large-scale cooperative play, while Cornhole develops accuracy, concentration and tactical thinking in an accessible format suitable for a wide range of abilities. The activities will provide fresh opportunities for pupils who are less engaged with traditional sports, helping increase participation and enjoyment in physical activity. The equipment will be particularly valuable for SEND and disabled students, supporting both participation and leadership roles such as officiating. The project will also strengthen the school’s wider enrichment programme and provide resources that can be shared with local primary schools and community groups.

11x Lascells Ripple Tank MkIII units to improve practical Physics teaching across Key Stages 3 and 4 by enabling students to carry out hands-on investigations into wave behaviour. The equipment allows pupils to observe and explore concepts such as reflection, refraction and wave patterns in a visual and interactive way, supporting understanding of topics that can otherwise be difficult to grasp. Increasing the number of ripple tanks available will move learning from teacher demonstration to direct student use, helping pupils develop practical skills, accurate measurement techniques and confidence in experimental work required for GCSE Physics. The resources will also strengthen long-term provision within the Physics department, ensuring future cohorts have greater access to high-quality practical STEM learning.

5x VEX IQ classroom robotics kits to establish a sustainable robotics and engineering programme that will engage students in practical STEM learning through designing, building and programming robots. Each kit contains the electronic, structural and mechanical components needed to create fully functioning robots, enabling pupils to explore coding, engineering design and systems integration through hands-on projects. The programme will develop technical skills alongside teamwork, communication, problem-solving and project management, reflecting real-world engineering practice. Students will apply mathematical and scientific concepts in authentic contexts, helping to deepen understanding across the STEM curriculum and increase confidence in using theoretical knowledge. The kits will support classroom learning, extracurricular clubs, Year 6 transition activities and outreach work with local primary schools, creating wider opportunities for participation. The project aims to establish a long-term centre of excellence in robotics, inspiring future STEM study and career pathways for students across the local community.

15x Casio fx-CG100 graphical calculators to enhance the teaching and learning of A Level Further Mathematics through improved visualisation of complex mathematical concepts. The calculators enable students to explore graphs, 3D vectors, planes, linear programming, complex numbers and other advanced topics using dynamic visual representations that support deeper understanding. By allowing pupils to investigate patterns, relationships and function behaviour interactively, the project will encourage greater mathematical curiosity, confidence and independent problem-solving. The calculators will also help teachers deliver more exploratory and discussion-based lessons, enabling students to test ideas and make connections more effectively. Kept in school for lessons and examinations, the calculators will provide a long-term resource for successive cohorts of Further Mathematics students, helping ensure those pursuing STEM-related degrees have access to the same advanced tools commonly available in other educational settings.

20x netball dresses and 20x basketball vests to support participation in competitive sport and extracurricular physical activity for students in Years 7–13. The teamwear will be used by pupils representing the school in fixtures, tournaments and festivals, helping to create a strong sense of identity, belonging and pride. Participation in netball and basketball develops teamwork, communication, leadership and resilience, while also encouraging regular physical activity and commitment beyond the curriculum. The new kit will support two of the school’s most popular sports, benefiting more than 250 students who attend clubs throughout the year. It will also help raise the profile of girls’ sport by supporting growing opportunities for female participation in basketball and netball, encouraging more students to engage confidently in competitive sport and represent their school.

6x Chomp Saws to enhance STEM learning within Design and Technology by enabling students to design, build and refine models and prototypes with greater accuracy and efficiency. The specialist cutting tools will support pupils from Years 7–13 as they apply mathematical concepts such as measurement, scale, ratio and geometric accuracy in practical design projects. By allowing students to produce components quickly and precisely, the equipment will encourage an iterative design process in which ideas can be tested, evaluated and improved, strengthening problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.

The saws will also support the teaching of engineering principles through hands-on investigation of structures, forces, mechanisms, materials and manufacturing processes. Students will gain a clearer understanding of how scientific and mathematical concepts are applied in real-world product design and engineering, helping to bridge the gap between theory and practice. The equipment will benefit large numbers of pupils across the Design and Technology curriculum while also supporting STEM taster activities for visiting primary school pupils. As durable workshop resources, the saws will provide long-term opportunities for practical learning, creativity and technical skill development for future cohorts.

3D Printer and Staff Training. This award will provide a 3D printer together with staff training to embed its use across Stevenage ESC's STEM curriculum. The equipment will give pupils practical, hands-on opportunities to design, prototype and manufacture models, bringing concepts in science, mathematics, engineering and technology to life. Students will create models such as cells, organs, engineering structures and space-related projects, helping them develop problem-solving, creativity and a deeper understanding of abstract concepts. The resource is particularly well suited to the centre's learners, including those with EHCPs, by providing engaging, visual approaches that improve motivation and confidence. It will also support outreach work with local secondary schools, extending the benefits to hundreds of pupils while developing valuable STEM skills linked to local engineering and technology careers.

100x Junior Girls' Football Shirts. This award will provide new football shirts for the school's expanding girls' football programme, equipping teams from Years 7 to 13 with high-quality kits for district, county and national competitions. The new kits will support the continued growth in girls' football by ensuring increasing numbers of pupils can represent the school with appropriate teamwear. By removing barriers to participation and fostering a sense of pride, identity and belonging, the project will encourage more girls to take part in regular physical activity and competitive sport. The durable shirts will benefit successive year groups for many years, supporting participation, motivation, teamwork and sporting achievement across the school.

20x Casio fx-CG100 ClassWiz Graphical Calculators. This award will provide a departmental set of advanced graphical calculators to support the teaching of A Level Mathematics and Further Mathematics. The calculators will be used to train 13 teachers before being made available to students in lessons, enabling greater use of graphing, calculus, statistics, matrices and other advanced mathematical applications. By helping students visualise complex concepts, the equipment will improve understanding of abstract topics, particularly for those who find traditional approaches challenging, while also stretching higher-attaining mathematicians. The calculators will enhance engagement through interactive technology, support improved attainment and exam preparation, and remain a valuable departmental resource for future cohorts of sixth form students.