Secondary Award Winners

Viewing 1 - 5 of 133 items (Page 1 of 27)

Secondary Award Winners 25/26 Summer - Details

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.

Posted: 13-Apr-2026 12:03

Secondary Award Winners 25/26 - Reference

This table is primarily to check if your school has already been granted an award for this academic year.

From September 2025, each Hertfordshire state-funded secondary school may be granted 2 awards (of up to £1,500 each in different focus areas) every academic year.

ESCs and Special Schools may receive 1 award of up to £1,500 (to reflect the usually lower number of pupils helped)

Click on the "Y"s for more details on the awards granted to each school

School	PE	STEM	L2L	School	PE	STEM	L2L
The Reach Free School	Y	Y	Limit Reached	The Highfield School		Y
Samuel Ryder Academy	Y			Chancellor's School	Y
Presdales		Y		Queens	Y	Y	Limit Reached
Dacorum ESC	Y	Limit Reached	Limit Reached	Onslow St. Audreys	Y
Rickmansworth	Y			Broxbourne		Y
Roundwood Park	Y			Richard Hale		Y
The Nobel School	Y			Knightsfield (Specialist School)	Limit Reached	Y	Limit Reached
Haileybury Turnford		Y		Parmiter's	Y	Y	Limit Reached
Katherine Warrington	Y			Barclay		Y
Watford Girls Grammar	Y			Hockerill		Y
Verulam	Y			Westfield		Y
The Priory School		Y		Bushey Meads		Y
St. Albans Girls School		Y		Watford Boys Grammar	Y

Posted: 03-Feb-2026 13:12

Secondary Award Winners 25/26 Spring - Details

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
Parmiter's	Watford	PE	50 athletics vests and 26 gymnastics leotards for students in Years 7–13 will support the school’s expanding PE and co-curricular sports programme. These items will be used by pupils representing the school in athletics, cross country, gymnastics, dance, and trampolining, with around 300 students benefiting each year and participation continuing to grow. Updating the athletics vests will ensure all competitors can represent the school consistently and confidently at district, county, regional, and national events, strengthening team identity and pride. Providing appropriate leotards will enable gymnasts to take part fully in performances and competitions where specialist attire is required, supporting professionalism and equality. Together, the new kits will promote inclusion, confidence, and belonging, reinforce high standards when representing the school, and underpin the continued success and development of Parmiter’s strong sporting provision.
Parmiter's	Watford	STEM	12 Casio FX-CG100 advanced colour graphic calculators will support teaching and learning across all A Level Mathematics and Further Mathematics classes in Years 12 and 13. The calculators will be used in Pure Mathematics, Statistics, and Mechanics to visualise functions, explore graphs and data dynamically, and carry out complex calculations efficiently. This will help students better understand abstract concepts, check solutions independently, and focus more on reasoning and problem-solving rather than manual computation. Lower-attaining or less confident students will benefit from reduced cognitive load and clearer visualisation, while higher-attaining students will be able to investigate more sophisticated problems in greater depth. Teachers will be able to integrate technology consistently across 14 teaching groups, modernising post-16 mathematics provision. Overall, the calculators will increase engagement, confidence, and attainment, while preparing students more effectively for A Level assessments, further study, and future STEM pathways.
Barclay	Stevenage	STEM	Fifteen UNILAB Retro DC lockable power units that will significantly improve access to hands-on practical science across physics and chemistry at Barclay Academy. These power packs are essential for delivering core curriculum experiments involving electricity, circuits, energy transfer, electrolysis and electroplating, from Year 7 through to post-16 study. Increasing the number of reliable units will allow students to work in pairs rather than relying on demonstrations, improving practical skills, safety awareness and teamwork. This enhanced access is particularly important given timetable clashes and growing demand for practical work. The equipment will be reused throughout the year in lessons, clubs, science week activities and visiting primary sessions, ensuring long-term impact on engagement, understanding and attainment in STEM subjects.
Hockerill	Bishops Stortford	STEM	Thirty BBC micro:bit V2 Starter Kits will enhance computing and STEM teaching at Hockerill Anglo-European College by enabling hands-on, physical coding experiences for students in Years 7–9. The kits will extend learning beyond screen-based programming, allowing pupils to apply coding concepts to real-world hardware, develop problem-solving skills, and understand how software interacts with physical systems. Initially used across three computing classes, the micro:bits will also support an after-school computing club, broadening access and deepening engagement for motivated learners. As students progress, the resources will support a transition from block-based coding to Python, ensuring continuity, challenge and long-term value within the school’s computing curriculum.
Watford Girls Grammar	Watford	PE	Sixteen football kits, two football goal posts, and three digital video cameras with tripods will strengthen PE provision and assessment at Watford Grammar School for Girls. The new football kits and goals will support the growing popularity of girls’ football in Years 7 and 8, enabling more pupils to participate confidently in lessons, clubs and competitive fixtures, while promoting teamwork, fitness and inclusion. The cameras and tripods will be used by older students in Years 10–13 to record performances across a range of sports for GCSE and A-level moderation. This will improve the quality of assessment, help students analyse and refine their performance, and support stronger examination outcomes across PE.
Katherine Warrington	Harpenden	PE	Three indoor table tennis tables will expand PE provision and extracurricular sport at Katherine Warington School for students in Years 7–13. Increasing the number of tables will reduce overcrowding, allowing more pupils to be actively engaged at any one time and improving the quality of teaching and learning during curriculum lessons. The additional equipment will also enable wider participation in after-school clubs, supporting students who may not engage with traditional team sports. Looking ahead, the tables will be used during summer school activities for incoming Year 7 pupils, helping them build confidence and positive relationships through sport. Overall, the project promotes inclusive participation, skill development and long-term engagement in physical activity across the school community.
Verulam	St. Albans	PE	An analogue hand grip dynamometer, football kits and an indoor table tennis table to enhance curriculum delivery and participation across the (mainly) games aspect of Physical Education. The equipment will support pupils from Years 7 to 13, strengthening learning in health-related fitness, practical performance and sports analysis. The dynamometer will enable pupils to measure and interpret fitness data, supporting GCSE, BTEC and A-level coursework and exam preparation. The football kits will ensure inclusive participation in extracurricular sport, helping pupils take pride in representing the school. The table tennis table will expand access to lessons, clubs and competitive events, benefiting both Verulam pupils and visiting local schools. Over time, the resources will improve engagement, attainment and progression in PE across the school community.
Westfield	Watford	STEM	Control and Power bundles, a mecanum wheel set and a sensor bundle to expand the school’s robotics and STEM provision across Years 7–10. The equipment will support hands-on learning in computing, design technology and mathematics, enabling pupils to design, build, programme and refine robots to solve real-world challenges. Pupils will develop problem-solving, coding, teamwork and analytical skills through curriculum lessons, enrichment activities and competition preparation. The resources will allow the school to increase participation, support transition activities for new pupils and engage feeder primary schools. Over time, the project will strengthen technical understanding, raise motivation in STEM subjects and provide sustained opportunities for independent and applied learning.
Queens	Watford	STEM	Micro:bit MOVE motors and MOVE motor Klaw kits to extend physical computing and robotics learning across Key Stage 3. The resources will enhance computing lessons by enabling pupils to apply coding skills to real, hands-on projects, improving engagement and understanding of core programming concepts. Pupils in Years 7–9 will benefit through curriculum lessons, enrichment activities and robotics sessions during activities weeks, with additional impact through the after-school computing club. The equipment will help sustain interest at a key decision point before GCSE options, supporting wider participation in computer science. Over time, the project aims to improve attainment, increase uptake at GCSE level and encourage greater diversity in STEM participation.
The Priory	Hitchin	STEM	A cloud chamber, action-reaction platforms, high-voltage power supplies, and a dual-colour laser with receiver to strengthen practical physics teaching across Key Stages 3–5. The equipment will enhance demonstrations and hands-on investigations in topics including radioactivity, Newton’s Laws, electric and magnetic fields, quantum physics and light. Pupils will benefit from clearer visualisation of abstract concepts, deeper conceptual understanding and improved preparation for GCSE and A-level practical assessments. The new power supplies will also bring existing specialist equipment back into use, maximising previous investment. Over time, the resources will enrich the curriculum, increase engagement in physics and support higher attainment through more consistent, high-quality practical experiences.
St. Albans Girls School	St. Albans	STEM	6x Casio FX-CG100 advanced colour graphic calculators and 50x Casio FX-991CW ClassWiz scientific calculatorsto strengthen mathematics learning across Key Stage 4 and post-16 study. The calculators will ensure pupils in Years 10–13 have consistent access to appropriate technology during lessons and assessments, supporting both GCSE and A-level mathematics and further mathematics. Pupils will use the devices to visualise functions, analyse data and complete complex calculations more efficiently, improving conceptual understanding and confidence. Providing loan equipment will also support pupils who cannot afford advanced calculators, ensuring equitable access to learning tools. Over time, the resources will help raise attainment, reduce barriers to participation and support deeper exploration of mathematical concepts.
Bushey Meads	Bushey	STEM	Ten Android tablets to support practical coding and robotics activities using the school’s existing Sphero BOLT robots. The devices will enable pupils to programme robots through dedicated coding applications, allowing hands-on exploration of sequencing, algorithms, debugging and computational thinking within computing lessons and STEM activities. Pupils will also use the technology in cross-curricular work linking computing with English through storytelling and problem-solving tasks. The tablets will improve accessibility for pupils with SEND by providing visual, interactive learning experiences and immediate feedback from programmed actions. Over time, the resources will support wider participation in coding, strengthen collaboration across year groups, and encourage engagement with STEM learning.
The Reach Free	Rickmansworth	STEM	LEGO Education Spike Prime sets, a laser ray kit, an optical bench with accessories, spectrum tubes with power supply, thermistors and LED indicators to enhance practical physics and STEM learning across Years 7–13. The equipment will support hands-on investigations in mechanics, electricity, optics, thermodynamics and spectroscopy, helping pupils connect theoretical concepts with observable experiments. Pupils will benefit from opportunities to design investigations, analyse data and develop coding and problem-solving skills through robotics and laboratory work. The resources will support both core curriculum lessons and enrichment activities, helping engage pupils with varying levels of prior attainment. Over time, the equipment will strengthen practical science provision, deepen conceptual understanding and encourage sustained interest in physics and wider STEM pathways.

Posted: 05-Jan-2026 11:54

Secondary Award Winners 2025/26 Autumn - Details

Here's a quick summary of what secondary schools in Hertfordshire have successfully bid for so far in the autumn term of the 2025/26 academic year. Each academic year, secondary schools can bid for up to £1500 (each) in two of our 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
The Reach Free School	Rickmansworth	PE	4x Kinballs and replacement bladders to allow them to significantly improve the quality of physical education for their students with special educational needs (SEN) in core PE lessons following a successful pilot study. Kinball can be adapted easily to all ability levels and the extra equipment will allow the sport to be used by more classes. KS4 students will also benefit by being able to apply their theoretical knowledge of emerging sports in a physical context.
The Highfield School	Letchworth G. S.	STEM	20x Casio fx-CG100 scientific calculators for loan to A-level and Core Maths students, many of whom cannot afford the high cost of these advanced devices. Staff will more easily be able to teach the complex functions of these calculators as students will all have the same model which will benefit their learning and examination performance.
Samuel Ryder Ac.	St. Albans	PE	3x Air-bikes and a wooden Plyo box to help the staged equipment update of their fitness suite to facilitate a new Health Related Fitness unit of work. This equipment will allow larger classes in all year groups to use the fitness suite/sports hall, working in threes on varied fitness tasks.
Chancellor's School	Hatfield	PE	Netball dresses and basket ball bibs, 8x athletics spikes and handball inset. The kit will be used for team fixtures to motivate and further develop team/school pride in their very-well attended extra-curricular sessions. The spikes will add to their collection from a previous award which has had a "huge impact within our PE department" and are used both in lessons and clubs and fixtures. The inset, delivered by England Handball, should enable staff to coach the ever-increasing number of GCSE pupils choosing the sport to gain higher marks as well as improving performance in core PE sessions.
Presdales School	Ware	STEM	A Wireless Physiology Pack which includes 2x Wireless Heart Rate Sensors, 2x Wireless Blood Pressure Sensors, and 2x Wireless Push Button Switches and teaching resources. These will let students investigate the nervous, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems in practical science and PE lessons. For example, students can graph breathing patterns, measure reaction times, and use real data for coursework and maths. This hands-on approach will boost engagement, deepen understanding, and support improved attainment, especially for MedSoc and KS5 students, while also providing resources for extracurricular clubs and whole-school use.
Queens School	Watford	PE	A Gymkit Curv Manual Treadmill (1) and a Mirafit M150 Adjustable Weight Bench (1). These will enhance their fitness suite, allowing students from Years 7–13, staff, and community groups to access high-quality cardiovascular and strength training. The equipment supports PE lessons, elite athlete development, rehabilitation, staff wellbeing, and targeted interventions, promoting lifelong fitness and healthier lifestyles.
Rickmansworth	Rickmansworth	PE	A Veo Cam 3, 7.4m tripod, travel case, and tripod bag to improve practical performance analysis in GCSE and A-Level PE. The AI camera automatically records and tracks play, removing the need for manual filming and capturing full-pitch, high-quality evidence for assessments. Students (Years 10–13, 170+) will use Veo’s cloud platform to review, annotate, and analyse performances, promoting self-reflection and rapid progress. Teachers will save time on recording and feedback, enabling deeper analytical learning linked to theoretical units. With subscription costs covered by the department, the system provides a long-term, sustainable tool to raise attainment, engagement, and professional-standard performance analysis across PE courses.
Dacorum ESC	Hemel Hempstead	PE	3x Feed Buddy Giant Tennis Rebound Nets, 3 Feed Buddy Machine + Reload Tennis Nets, 3 Feed Buddy Tennis Ace Drop Machines and Premium Feed Buddy Tennis Balls. This tennis equipment will enable students to develop hand-eye coordination, balance, agility, discipline, and stress relief through engaging PE lessons. It provides access to tennis for learners who might not otherwise participate, making the sport more appealing and inclusive, and supporting both physical and mental health for all students.
Onslow St. Audreys	Hatfield	PE	1x Veo Cam 3 (HS 900710, Denmark) to enhance teaching, assessment, and performance analysis across Key Stage 3–Post-16 PE and Sport courses. The camera will record lessons, matches, and training sessions, allowing pupils to review footage, analyse tactics, and track progress. GCSE and BTEC learners will use recordings for assessment evidence in practical and analytical units, while academy players will benefit from professional-standard video analysis and highlight creation. Teachers will use the system for feedback, reflection, and skill development. Overall, the Veo Cam 3 will improve motivation, confidence, and attainment by linking theory to practice and raising aspirations in sport.
The Broxbourne School	Broxbourne	STEM	10x Casio fx-cg100 advanced colour graphic calculators for A level students to enhance their depth of understanding and allow them to explore and use conjecture for complex topics. Staff will be trained on the calculators and they will be loaned to pupils who do not have their own so all pupils have access to this technology in day-to-day teaching.
Roundwood Park	Harpenden	PE	1x SHUA Commercial Upright Bike for its fitness suite, which is used daily for PE lessons, extra-curricular sessions, and supervised training. The new bike will replace an out-of-service unit identified as unsafe in a recent inspection, ensuring all students from Years 7–13 can safely participate in health and fitness activities. The additional bike will allow more pupils to train simultaneously, supporting the PE curriculum focus on physical health, stamina, and wellbeing. It will also benefit extra-curricular clubs and post-16 fitness lessons, encouraging lifelong engagement in exercise. The upgraded equipment will enhance motivation, safety, and inclusion, and help maintain a high-quality fitness environment for all students.
Richard Hale	Hertford	STEM	32 Eisco Digital Voltmeters (0–19.9V d.c.) and 32 Eisco Digital Ammeters (0–10A d.c.) to improve the accuracy and clarity of Physics and Technology practicals across Years 7–13. These purpose-built instruments will replace complex multimeters in certain lessons, simplifying circuit experiments and helping students clearly understand how to measure voltage and current. The new equipment will support key practicals such as Ohm’s Law, resistance investigations, and advanced A-Level studies on resistivity, electromotive force, and capacitor discharge. They will also be used in STEM clubs and primary school outreach projects, ensuring broad impact. This investment will enhance students’ confidence, precision, and engagement in experimental science while strengthening foundational skills in data handling and electrical theory.
Knightstfield Special School	Welwyn Garden City	STEM	5 × ScanPens Exam Reader 2 and 5 × Sony MDR-ZX110 On-Ear Headphones These resources directly support deaf students who experience significant delays in reading and language development. Many pupils reach secondary level with a reading age far below that of their hearing peers, which impacts their ability to access written questions in Maths, Science, and other subjects—even when they understand the content. The ScanPens Exam Reader 2 devices provide instant text-to-speech support, allowing students to independently scan and hear words or questions as needed. This helps remove barriers to learning, reduces reliance on staff, and avoids the embarrassment some pupils feel when asking for help. Because pupils use hearing aids and cochlear implants, the earphones normally supplied with ScanPens are unsuitable. The Sony MDR-ZX110 on-ear headphones ensure full compatibility, comfort, and accessibility, allowing students to use the pens in lessons and during formal exams. Together, these items offer a long-lasting solution that improves independence, confidence, and curriculum access for all pupils across the school. They will be used throughout daily teaching, revision, and GCSE examinations, providing immediate and sustained impact.
The Nobel School	Stevenage	PE	3 × Cornilleau Sport 500 Indoor 22MM Table Tennis Tables These high-quality indoor tables will immediately restore full table tennis provision across Years 7–13, enabling the school to reinstate curriculum lessons, extra-curricular clubs and GCSE PE assessment sessions that have been significantly restricted due to old, unsafe equipment. Table tennis is a core part of the school’s PE programme, valued for its inclusivity, accessibility, and appeal to students who may not participate in other sports. Adding three durable tables will allow full class rotations, improved coaching opportunities, and equitable access for all pupils, including exam groups requiring table tennis as an assessed sport. The additional tables will also support the re-launch of the popular table tennis club, broaden participation across all year groups, and enhance staff wellbeing sessions. This investment has long-term sustainability and strengthens both curricular and extra-curricular sport for the whole school community.
Haileybury Turnford	Waltham Cross	STEM	1-day Medical Mavericks workshop. This full-day workshop will give every Year 7 student, plus the Year 10 triple scientists, direct access to specialist medical equipment and practical experiences not available in school. Activities such as ultrasound scanning, infrared vein imaging and keyhole surgery simulation provide powerful, hands-on reinforcement of key concepts in biology, chemistry and physics. These experiences strengthen understanding of waves and the electromagnetic spectrum, organ systems, disease diagnosis, forces, materials and the application of modern medical technologies—bringing to life multiple curriculum areas across KS3 and KS4. The workshop also provides high-quality sensory and practical learning that deepens recall and helps students make meaningful links between scientific theory and real-world clinical practice. Following the visit, teachers will embed the learning through reference in later lessons and a structured poster project, ensuring the experience supports long-term retention and progression. The visit will be particularly impactful for disadvantaged pupils, who often have limited exposure to specialist environments and may benefit most from this concrete, highly engaging STEM experience.

Posted: 09-Sep-2025 11:13

2025 (Joint) PE Major Award Winner: The Hertfordshire and Essex High School, Bishop’s Stortford

Outdoor ‘Bumper’ Gym Package – a 12-station fitness zone for every pupil and staff member

What they are buying & what it does
Fresh Air Fitness’s secondary-school bundle installs seven weather-proof stations that welcome 12 simultaneous users: Arm & Pedal Bike for dual-limb cardio, back-to-back Chest Press/Lat Pull-Down for compound strength, Air Skier and Double Air Walker for low-impact endurance, Rider and Seated Leg Press for lower-body power, and a Leg Lift Station for core work. Every unit carries QR-coded videos, free-app workouts and safety signage so students can “use the equipment with confidence” and master correct form from day one (freshairfitness.co.uk, freshairfitness.co.uk, freshairfitness.co.uk).

Identified problems & gaps
PE lessons alone are not meeting daily activity guidelines and the indoor sports centre is a 15-minute walk away, leaving many pupils—especially “higher-needs students who need somewhere to self-regulate”—without easy access to exercise. The Student Council has requested outdoor fitness kit, and the new staff–student running club is already oversubscribed and in need of training facilities.

How the equipment enhances learning and inclusion

Technique & progression – Clear instructional labels and YouTube clips break down squats, presses and pull-ups, helping learners refine biomechanics and transfer skills into GCSE PE assessments and personal training plans
Curriculum & clubs – Teachers can bolt short strength circuits onto theory lessons, deliver HIIT for GCSE fitness logs, or run lunchtime “Learn to Lift” clinics. Stations designed for ages 11 + ensure safe, developmental loading across Years 7-13.
Whole-community demand – 1,436 pupils, 150 staff, trust primary classes and weekend hall-hirers all gain an on-site, zero-cost workout option, turning an under-used lawn into the campus’s wellbeing hub. Visible, drop-in access normalises daily movement and offers an immediate outlet for stress relief.

Value for money & longevity
Stainless-steel frames are warrantied for up to 25 years; sealed bearings and powder coating minimise maintenance. Multi-user stations maximise throughput, so an entire GCSE class can rotate through in one session. With no consumables and year-round availability, the gym delivers a lasting return on the school’s commitment to physical and mental health—meeting a loudly voiced student and staff demand while future-proofing active lifestyles.

Posted: 30-Jun-2025 16:44

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