07/07/2026
Last week, six of our Year 9 students travelled to London to represent Wetherby High School at the National Final of the Big Ideas Programme, organised by Solutions for the Planet.
On 4 November 2025, Year 9 students took part in the school's Big Ideas Day, working in teams to develop innovative solutions to real-world problems. From there, teams refined their ideas during Endeavour sessions, developing business plans, carrying out research, building partnerships and perfecting their presentations.
The scale of the competition was remarkable. Nearly 3,000 students took part, with 159 teams submitting Big Ideas. Just 57 teams reached the Regional Finals before only 12 teams earned a place at the National Final, held at the Palace of Westminster.
Before the finalists presented, 2 of the 159 teams received Special Awards. We were incredibly proud that Team Reach Reliable, received the prestigious Schofield Award, recognising the qualities of positivity, proactivity and collaboration.
Our second team, Monthly Matters, reached the National Final with their innovative idea to tackle period poverty and improve menstrual wellbeing in schools.
The team carried out extensive research, surveyed 50 students and developed a practical, sustainable solution with the potential to create lasting change.
The judges praised the team's evidence-based approach, well-developed business model, strong partnerships and practical solution to a significant issue affecting young people.
Following an exceptionally high standard of competition, Monthly Matters were deservedly crowned National Champions.
The team's work is already continuing beyond the competition, with meetings planned to explore how their ideas could help improve support for young people across the city.
To have one team receive a prestigious national award and another crowned National Champions is an extraordinary achievement. We are immensely proud of all six students, who represented Wetherby High School with professionalism, compassion and determination, demonstrating that young people really can develop ideas capable of making a lasting difference.