Here's a quick summary of what secondary schools in Hertfordshire have successfully bid for so far in the spring term of the 2025/26 academic year. Each academic year, secondary schools can be granted two awards of up to £1500 (each) in two different focus areas (PE, STEM and Learning to Learn) subject to our remaining monthly budget (the current balance is displayed on the application form page). Applications have to pass our criteria which you can find here.
We wish all the award recipients good luck with their amazing projects and we are very pleased to have helped them "achieve a lot with a little".
| School | Location | Focus | Project |
| Watford Boys Grammar | Watford | PE |
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. |
| John Warner | Hoddesdon | PE |
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.
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| Croxley Danes | Rickmansworth | PE |
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.
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| Chancellor's | Hatfield | STEM |
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.
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| Westfield Academy | Watford | PE |
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. |
| Watford Boys Grammar School | Watford | Learning to Learn |
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. |
| Roundwood Park | Harpenden | STEM |
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. |
| The Highfield School | Letchworth | PE |
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. |
| Kings Langley | Kings Langley | PE |
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. |
| Rickmansworth | Rickmansworth | STEM |
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. |
