SECONDARY NEWS
Educational travel provider organises free secondary school transition talk for students
pressures, combined with what can feel like a daunting transition to secondary school, can leave children feeling anxious and uncertain about the future.
Educational travel provider Ottimi has supported a Yorkshire primary school with a free enrichment trip for its Year 6 students, designed to build confidence and spark curiosity ahead of their transition to secondary education.
Ottimi – an offshoot of long-standing ski trip business Max Ski – has taken a group of Key Stage 2 students from Eldwick Primary School in Bradford into Leeds City Centre for a day at Maths City, a hands-on maths discovery centre, followed by an inspiring talk from international mental health advocate, Oly Newton.
It comes as the pupils finish their final SATs exams and amid a difficult period for the school, which has faced ongoing disruption to its learning environment. Students have spent the last two years learning in temporary portacabins while awaiting funding to address RAAC-related structural issues alongside many other schools.
Tom Bedford, CEO at Ottimi, said: “We already have a great relationship with Eldwick Primary School, and knowing what their students were facing, we knew we wanted to help. “Exam season can be an incredibly stressful time for students. These
“We believe the best learning happens both in and outside the classroom, and we’re passionate about providing schools with the right opportunities that not only educate but boost the resilience and confidence of their pupils, ensuring they’re not just academically, but emotionally, mentally and physically ready for the future. “This wasn’t about ticking a box. It was about giving these young people a day to feel inspired, capable, and excited for what’s ahead.” Ottimi, based in Leeds, places a strong focus on wellbeing, by creating subject and sports-based school travel experiences that nurture emotional growth, confidence, and a sense of belonging. The transition trip was carefully designed around wellbeing and confidence. Maths City gave pupils the chance to explore the UK’s only practical maths centre, followed by a talk and workshop from Oly, which gave pupils the tools to manage anxiety, embrace change, and build emotional resilience.
Louise Gibson, Learning Support Assistant at Eldwick Primary School said: “It’s so important for children to have fun, real life experiences to consolidate their learning in school.”
The transition sessions come at a crucial time. According to a new report released by ImpactEd Group, one in four pupils in England ‘disengage’ following the transition to secondary school, identifying Year 7 as a critical point in a child’s journey through education. Alongside this, children today face more mental health struggles than ever, with one in five having a probable mental disorder. This is linked to lower academic achievement and higher rates of absenteeism. Initiatives such as Ottimi’s transition talks for schools are a response to the growing need for support that extends outside the classroom, helping to improve outcomes for all children, regardless of background. To mark its launch, Ottimi is offering £20,000 worth of prizes for schools, including an all expenses paid three-day, two-night trip for 40 students, inclusive of accommodation, food, travel and insurance to London or Edinburgh.
UK student team wins top global robotics award
Students from Haberdashers’ Boys’ School have been awarded the Excellence Award at the 2025 VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas, Texas - a global competition which saw over 50 countries represented.
The award celebrates the UK team’s ability to apply engineering principles, collaborate under pressure, and communicate their technical thinking - skills developed through their school’s integration of robotics and project-based learning.
This achievement marks a historic win for VEX Robotics teams here in the UK and represents a major victory for UK-based STEM education on a global stage.
This success isn’t an isolated case. Multiple UK schools competing in the event walked away with top awards across various divisions, demonstrating that British students can thrive on the world stage when given access to meaningful, experiential STEM opportunities. The results come at a time of heightened focus on the UK’s STEM skills gap. Educators and industry leaders alike are calling for more practical learning pathways that prepare students for careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and beyond. This win demonstrates the pivotal role schools can play in building that pipeline through STEM programmes, incorporating robotics and engineering challenges into lessons and enrichment activities. The new VEX Robotics season has just launched, with two fresh engineering challenges now open for student teams from Key Stage 2
8
www.education-today.co.uk
through Key Stage 5.
Schools across the UK are encouraged to explore how participation can enhance not only technical proficiency but also resilience, collaboration, and confidence in learners.
June 2025
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
