PLS Girls Showcase Engineering Talent in King’s College London Robotics Challenge 

Year 8, 9 and 10 students took part in the King’s College London Girls’ Robotics Challenge, an exciting engineering programme that gave participants the opportunity to design, build and programme their own robots while developing teamwork, creativity and problem-solving skills.

Over several weeks, the team worked on both the technical and presentation aspects of the competition, refining their robot design through testing, collaboration and perseverance. They also produced a detailed engineering journal and delivered a professional presentation explaining their design process, coding, electronics and mechanical solutions.

The girls were praised by programme mentors for their enthusiasm, confidence and teamwork throughout the challenge. Their ability to explain how they overcame technical challenges and their professionalism during presentations reflected the dedication and commitment they showed throughout the project.

The competition provided valuable experience in engineering, robotics and public speaking, while also encouraging creativity, innovation and collaboration. Students took part in autonomous and remote-control robot challenges, design journal reviews, presentations and sessions with engineering professionals.

A special thank you goes to our mentor, Layla Agha, a fourth-year Electronic and Electrical Engineering student, for her outstanding support and encouragement throughout the programme. We are also grateful to Sharon, our Engineering Ambassador, whose guidance and feedback helped the team further develop their engineering journal and final presentation.

We are incredibly proud of all the students who took part and represented the school so positively throughout this inspiring STEM opportunity.

Ladywell Robotics represented the school with distinction at the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Regional Qualifiers held at Harris Academy Sutton, showcasing exceptional teamwork, creativity and engineering skills throughout the competition.

Competing against teams from across the region, students demonstrated resilience, innovation and technical expertise as they progressed through multiple rounds of the event. Their hard work and dedication throughout the season were evident both on and off the competition field.

A particular highlight of the day was winning the prestigious Connect Award, which recognises outstanding outreach and community engagement. The award celebrated the team's efforts to promote STEM and robotics through activities with local primary schools, Scouts and Cubs groups, as well as their work in building strong relationships with sponsors and the wider community.

The competition also provided valuable opportunities for students to further develop their problem-solving, communication and teamwork skills in a highly competitive environment. Their professional presentation and pit display impressed judges and reflected the significant progress the club has made over the past year.

We would like to thank our sponsors, Equans and Equitix, for their generous support, which has enabled the team to continue growing and developing. Special thanks also go to our mentor, Abigail Yankey, for her invaluable guidance, encouragement and commitment throughout the season.

Congratulations to all members of Ladywell Robotics on this fantastic achievement. We are incredibly proud of their success and look forward to following their continued journey in robotics.

Year 8 students had the exciting opportunity to visit Cisco Meraki in Finsbury as part of the Cisco Girls in IT event, an inspiring programme designed to encourage more young women to explore careers in technology and digital innovation.

The day began with a keynote talk from Elizabeth Barr, who introduced students to the growing impact of Artificial Intelligence and its role in shaping the future. Students gained valuable insight into emerging technologies and learned about the importance of creativity, problem-solving and collaboration within the technology sector.

Throughout the event, students took part in a variety of engaging activities, including team-building challenges, engineering tasks and a guided tour of the Cisco offices. These experiences provided a fascinating glimpse into a modern technology workplace and helped students understand how different teams work together to develop innovative solutions.

A particular highlight of the day was the opportunity to meet and speak with women working at Cisco. Through these conversations, students learned about a wide range of career pathways into technology, the skills required for different roles and the experiences of women working in the industry. These discussions provided valuable role models and helped students see the many opportunities available within STEM and digital careers.

Students also participated in a “Dragon’s Den” style challenge, where they worked in mixed-school teams to design innovative AI-powered applications. This activity encouraged creativity, teamwork and entrepreneurial thinking while giving students the opportunity to collaborate with peers from other schools, building confidence and communication skills along the way.

The visit was both educational and inspiring, providing students with valuable exposure to the world of technology and helping to raise aspirations for future careers in STEM. Our students represented the school exceptionally well throughout the day, demonstrating enthusiasm, curiosity and excellent teamwork.

A group of Year 9 students recently completed an exciting six-week Computer Science Masterclasses programme at The Royal Institution, deepening their understanding of technology, computing and innovation through hands-on learning experiences.

Throughout the programme, students explored a range of Computer Science topics while developing valuable skills in problem-solving, logical thinking and computational creativity. They worked collaboratively on practical activities, engaged with challenging concepts beyond the classroom and learned from experts in an inspiring academic environment.

The experience helped raise aspirations, build confidence and encourage students to consider future pathways in STEM subjects, particularly Computer Science and technology-related careers.

The programme was both educational and enjoyable, and students represented the school exceptionally well throughout. We are incredibly proud of their commitment, enthusiasm and engagement.