Kedleston Group

We recently took our pupils on an unforgettable journey to infinity and beyond with our first ever MILE Day, the Mapesbury Immersive Learning Experience.

On 22 May, our school was transformed into a galaxy far, far away as classrooms became starships, space stations and alien worlds. The day brought learning to life through hands on challenges, teamwork and a playful sci fi storyline that placed pupils right at the centre of the action.

For our debut MILE Day, we embraced a Space and Sci Fi theme, complete with atmospheric lighting, sound effects and nods to classics such as Star Trek and Star Wars. Pupils became members of the Mapesbury Space Fleet, working together to complete an intergalactic mission.

Staff and pupils fully embraced the experience, dressing in Space Fleet inspired outfits as different areas of the school were transformed into immersive sci fi zones.

Read more: https://www.kedlestongroup.com/schools/mapesbury/news/taking-learning-to-infinity-and-beyond-at-mapesbury-school/

Forces, Flight & Fantastic Discoveries at the FAST Museum

Students from Fernways School enjoyed an exciting visit to the FAST Museum, where they explored the science of forces and the fascinating history of flight. They learned how planes fly, saw a prototype of the very first plane, and discovered the incredible story of aviation pioneer Samuel Cody. Highlights included sitting inside a real helicopter, stepping into an air raid shelter, and viewing a range of amazing historical artefacts. It was a memorable hands‑on experience that brought science and history to life and inspired plenty of curiosity and questions back in the classroom!

Supporting Comic Relief Red Nose Day today!

Pupils from Fernways School recently enjoyed an educational visit to the Look Out Discovery Centre in Bracknell as part of their science learning.

During the trip, they explored the topic of **solids, liquids, and gases** through a range of hands-on experiments and interactive activities. The children had the opportunity to investigate how different materials behave, observe changes in states of matter, and take part in fun demonstrations that helped bring their classroom learning to life.

The interactive exhibits encouraged curiosity, teamwork, and scientific thinking. Everyone had a fantastic time exploring, asking questions, and discovering new ideas. The visit was a wonderful way to support our science curriculum while giving students a memorable and enjoyable learning experience.

This week, as part of our continued involvement in the Into Film Festival, Leaways School Year 11 pupils enjoyed a memorable trip to Everyman Cinema to watch a screening of Hamlet featuring Riz Ahmed.

Everyman Cinema is known for its boutique cinema experience, offering comfortable sofa seating and in-seat food and drink service. This relaxed and welcoming setting made the trip feel like a special occasion and allowed pupils to fully immerse themselves in the performance.

The screening provided pupils with the opportunity to experience one of William Shakespeare’s most famous plays in a visually powerful and engaging format. The cinematography was striking and brought the story to life, making the themes of ambition, loyalty, revenge, and moral conflict feel dramatic and relevant to a modern audience.

Riz Ahmed delivered a compelling and captivating performance throughout the film. He is an award-winning British actor from Wembley who made history as the first Muslim South Asian man to win a Primetime Emmy Award for Lead Actor. Learning about his achievements also sparked meaningful conversations with pupils about representation and success in the arts.

Overall, the trip was a fantastic cultural experience that pupils thoroughly appreciated and continued to discuss after returning to school. Experiences like this deepen understanding of literature while inspiring pupils through powerful storytelling and performance.

This week, a group of Year 10 students from Mill School Bury attended the National Apprenticeship & Careers Fair at Salford Community Stadium.

The event was a fantastic opportunity for them to explore a wide range of apprenticeship pathways, meet employers, and discover the work experience options available for their future. Our students engaged brilliantly with exhibitors and gained valuable insight to help shape their next steps.

We’re proud of how they represented the school and excited to see where their ambitions take them next!

Last week, pupils at Hawley Woods School had a very special visit from Team GB gymnast, Kelly Simm.

The day began with students and staff working extremely hard through a series of fitness circuits. The children’s effort and determination were fantastic and truly worthy of all the sponsorship they have been collecting. When they weren’t exercising, they were enthusiastically cheering on their classmates, creating a brilliant atmosphere of teamwork and encouragement.

After all their hard work, the students were rewarded with a special assembly where Kelly shared her journey to becoming an Olympic athlete. She inspired the children with her story, emphasising that reaching gold-medal standard took many years of dedication, practice, and overcoming setbacks. It was a powerful message about perseverance and believing in yourself.

Our on-site furry friends at High Peak School, Cheshire East, provide pupils with valuable opportunities to connect with animals, build confidence and experience calm, nurturing environments beyond the classroom.

Pupils recently enjoyed an alpaca walking session, one of the many experiences offered regularly through our farm provision.

What stands out is how pupils grow from each experience. Through positive and gentle interaction, they build confidence with the animals and show how repeated, well-supported exposure helps develop trust, emotional regulation and self-belief over time.

These moments highlight the real value of having access to on-site therapeutic spaces. They provide readily available opportunities for pupils to regulate, explore and succeed.

World Book Day at Fernways School was magical.

We had an absolutely fantastic World Book Day, filled with creativity, imagination and plenty of smiles! Both learners and staff embraced the celebration with incredible costumes — from beloved classics to modern favourites — and the effort everyone put in truly made the day magical.

One of the highlights was our immersive traditional tales experience, where learners stepped into the worlds of well‑loved stories such as The BFG, Paddington, Harry Potter, Alice in Wonderland, and many more. Each space brought stories to life and sparked excitement, curiosity, and engagement throughout the day.

Fun was had by all, and it was wonderful to see how much joy reading can bring to our school community. With such amazing participation and enthusiasm this year, we can’t wait to do it all again next year!

We ❤️ World Book Day 📖