On Friday 3rd July, a group of Year 9 students from Cowley set off on an unforgettable 11-day educational visit to China as part of the Mandarin Excellence Programme (MEP), having spent the last three years studying Mandarin Chinese.
Upon arriving in Shanghai, students participated in a special opening ceremony, where one of our students proudly took to the stage to deliver a speech. The event provided an opportunity to meet local Chinese students, as well as fellow learners from schools across the UK who are also part of the Mandarin Excellence Programme.
The students enjoyed a packed itinerary throughout their stay. Each morning was dedicated to intensive Mandarin study, with students spending around four hours developing their language skills through lessons at the host school.
Afternoons offered a wealth of cultural experiences designed to bring classroom learning to life. Students explored local markets, visited places of interest and immersed themselves in everyday Chinese life, putting their newly acquired language skills into practice with native speakers.
The visit also included some of Shanghai’s most iconic attractions. Highlights included a cruise along the Huangpu River, a visit to the beautiful Yu Garden, seeing the giant pandas at Shanghai Zoo and taking in spectacular views from the Shanghai Tower, home to one of the world’s highest observation decks.
As the programme drew to a close, students attended a final celebration and graduation ceremony hosted by the school. Reflecting on the experience, Vice President of SISU, captured the spirit of the visit in their keynote address:
“Everything comes to an end, but good memories last forever.”
It was a fitting conclusion to an incredible journey filled with learning, friendship and cultural discovery.
Miss Min, Teacher of Mandarin Chinese at Cowley, said: “The Year 9 Mandarin trip to Shanghai is a fantastic opportunity for our students who have worked very hard on learning Mandarin Chinese over the last three years.
“I am so pleased to see the students’ confidence grow as they practise their Mandarin in real-life situations. It has been wonderful to watch them enjoy the sightseeing, immerse themselves in Chinese culture, and build strong relationships with one another throughout the trip..”
Mr Cormack, Principal at Cowley, added: “This programme has been an incredible experience for our Year 9 students. They have returned with greater confidence, lasting friendships and memories that will stay with them for years to come. The success of this visit highlights the value of the Mandarin Excellence Programme and reinforces our commitment to providing exceptional opportunities and language development for our young people. We are immensely proud to be the only school in the local area taking part in this prestigious programme.”
Cowley has been a member of the Mandarin Excellence Programme since 2017 and remains the only school in the local area to be part of this prestigious national initiative, providing students with exceptional opportunities to develop advanced language skills and experience Chinese culture first-hand.
Two Cowley Sixth Form College Medical Science students have been honoured with Special Recognition Awards for their exceptional volunteering work with the NHS.
The students volunteer with the hospital’s Meet and Greet Service, providing a friendly welcome to patients and visitors and helping people navigate the hospital. Their role is vital in ensuring that patients and their families feel supported from the moment they arrive.
Their commitment was celebrated at a special NHS Volunteer Awards Ceremony attended by staff and volunteers from across the Trust. The event brought together hundreds of people, with approximately 100 tables of guests in attendance, recognising those who make an outstanding contribution to healthcare services through volunteering.
Making the achievement even more impressive, the students were the youngest volunteers invited to the awards ceremony, where they received special recognition for their dedication and service to the community.
Volunteering alongside the demands of their studies demonstrates remarkable commitment, compassion and professionalism. Their efforts not only support local healthcare services but also embody the values that are central to a career in health and social care.
We are so proud of you both. This is what Cowley Sixth Form College students are all about: ambition, kindness and making a real difference in our community.
Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition and thank you for making such a positive impact on the lives of others.
We recently ran a competition inviting students to design an eco-themed poster for inclusion in the 2026–27 student planner. We were delighted with the number of entries received, showcasing the creativity and environmental awareness of our students.
The standard was incredibly high, and it was clear that our students have a real talent for combining powerful messages with creative design.
Here are a selection of the fantastic submissions.
Cold water shock
Cold water shock can have a dramatic effect on your body, such as causing you to breathe in water, make your muscles weaken, and can even cause your heart to go into abnormal rhythms, ultimately resulting in death.
Anything below 15°C is defined as cold water. Average UK and Ireland sea temperatures are just 12°C.
If you find yourself in trouble in the water
If you find yourself in trouble in the water, float to live. Do not panic, float on your back until the effects of cold water shock pass. When the cold water shock has passed, swim to the edge or call for help.
If someone else is in trouble in the water
If someone else falls into the water, call 999 straight away and ask to speak to the fire service and ambulance.
Never enter the water to try and save someone, even if you are a strong swimmer. Shout to the person in the water ‘swim to me;’ The water can be disorientating, and this can give them a focus. Depending on where you are there might be lifebelts or throw bags – use them. If they are attached to a rope, make sure you have secured or are holding the end of the rope so you can pull them in.
Enjoying the water safely
Spending time in the water
If you are thinking of entering the water, consider your exit point, and any emergency exits, before you get in.
Do not jump into open water as this can cause potentially fatal cold water shock, even on the warmest day. Think twice before swimming in open water such as rivers or lakes. You have no idea what’s beneath the surface, there could be unseen currents and reeds, which could pull you under.
Do a risk assessment on the water for the dangers present, it pays to know any dangers before you go swimming. Always consider your exit point, and any emergency exits, before you get in the water. Make sure you feel fit and well before swimming.
Spending time near the water
When running or walking next to the water, stay clear of the edges. Riverbanks and cliff edges may be unstable and give way – particularly after bad weather. Look out for trip or slip hazards – pay attention to your footing and avoid walking or running next to water if levels are high.
If you are walking the dog and they end up in the water, do not go in after them.
Useful resources
- Further water safety advice is available on the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) Water Safety Advice website page;
- Read more about cold water shock on the RNLI Cold Water Shock – Water Safety Tips website page;
- Further information on winter water safety is available on the RLSS Winter Water Safety website page;
- Watch this RNLI: Float to Live video so you’re prepared if you unexpectedly find yourself in water;
- Stay safe on the beach with this RNLI Beach Safety advice;
- The RLSS website has more Open Water Safety Tips;
- The RNLI website has more Open Water Swimming Advice;
Click image to open to use links in the document
We are incredibly proud to celebrate the success of four outstanding Cowley students who have been selected for the 2026 Rugby Football League Girls Talent Hubs – a prestigious six‑week development programme designed to identify and nurture the future stars of Rugby League.
This is a fantastic achievement and a testament to the dedication, commitment and talent these girls consistently show both in training and in competition.
Selected Students
North West U15s
- Amber
- Isabelle
- Amelia
North West U16s
- Georgia
To be selected for these regional squads is an honour in itself, and all four players should be extremely proud of their accomplishment. Their success reflects not only their individual effort but also the strong rugby culture that continues to grow here at Cowley.
Inspiring the Next Generation
These girls truly embody what it means to be role models. Their hard work, resilience and passion for the game are inspiring younger students across the school, showing that with commitment and determination, fantastic opportunities can be achieved.
It is brilliant to know that they are motivating the next generation of players to get involved in rugby and enjoy everything the sport has to offer.
Get Involved in Girls’ Rugby at Cowley
Girls’ rugby continues to go from strength to strength at Cowley, and we are proud to offer opportunities for players of all year groups to get involved.
Training takes place every Thursday after school on the top field, and all abilities are welcome—whether you are completely new to the sport or already have experience.
If you are interested in joining, please speak to Miss Leigh or Mrs Sheridan for more information.
A Proud Moment for Cowley
Congratulations once again to Amber, Isabelle, Amelia and Georgia. This is a huge milestone in your rugby journeys, and we cannot wait to see what you achieve next.
We could not be prouder!
We would like to confirm that tomorrow (Friday 15th May) will be a normal school day at
Cowley, and the college will be open to all students.
Thank you for your continued support and understanding over the past two
weeks while we have managed the impact of industrial action.
We will share further updates as they become available. As outlined in our
previous communications, the trade unions currently have no further strike days
planned.
Please use the link below for work set as guidance for 12-14th May.
Twenty five ‘number crunchers’ from Year 7 and Year 8 at Cowley have won certificates in a UK junior maths challenge.
Lower school students recently participated in the UK Maths Trust Junior Mathematical Challenge and the results are brilliant for the school with 25 students taking away certificates.
In April, students from Cowley joined schools from up and down the country to compete in a nationwide maths challenge. The challenge is organised by UK Mathematics Trust and requires students to use mathematical reasoning and techniques to think-outside-the-box and solve sophisticated mathematical problems.
One student achieved the coveted Gold certificate, seven achieved Silver and 17 bagged bronze.
Year 7 student, Laura, achieved an impressive score and secured a Gold certificate. Laura has been invited to take part in the Junior Kangaroo Maths Competition which takes place on 9th June.
A massive thank you goes out to our Maths Department, for all the training and encouragement given to our competitors.
We also give thanks to the parents and carers who continue to support their daughter/son in their academic and extra-curricular endeavours.
Find out more about the UKMT Junior Maths Challenge here
On Thursday 30th April, a number of Year 8 students took took part in an engaging workshop focused on hydrogen-powered cars at the Catalyst Science Discovery Centre in Widnes. Students got to explore galleries and take part in hands-on experiments, providing an amazing opportunity for our students to put classroom science into an everyday context.
Cowley’s students fully embraced the experience and they were a credit to the school.
Catalyst Science Discovery Centre – A unique interactive museum for all ages.
