Caroline Chisholm School

Our Year 6 children recently had a fantastic time visiting the University of Northampton for the STEAM event. The day was packed with exciting, hands-on activities that sparked curiosity and creativity across science, technology, engineering, arts and maths.

Pupils particularly enjoyed ethe hands-on activities and exploring the university environment. The workshops were engaging and inspiring, helping children to think like young innovators while building confidence in their skills. Overall, it was a memorable and enriching experience that left everyone feeling motivated and enthusiastic about future learning.

Day 2 of sight seeing 🇧🇪 | Belgium Battlefields Trip

Another powerful and memorable day for our students as we continued exploring the battlefields of Belgium.

We began the morning at Essex Farm and Hill 62, reflecting on the stories and sacrifices that shaped history. By the afternoon, we visited the vast and moving cemeteries of Tyne Cot and Langemark, where students paid their respects and deepened their understanding of the human cost of war.

Back in Ypres, we explored the Flanders Fields Museum before students enjoyed some well-deserved free time in the beautiful town square - sampling local favourites like Belgian chocolate and chips! 🍫🍟

The day ended on a truly special note at the Menin Gate Ceremony, where two of our students had the honour of laying a wreath on behalf of the school - a moment of pride, respect, and remembrance.

🇧🇪🇫🇷 Year 9 History Trip – Belgium & France | Day 1

Yesterday, our Year 9 History students enjoyed a fascinating and thought-provoking first day exploring some of the most significant First World War sites in Belgium and France.

Students visited Vimy Ridge, Lochnagar Crater, Newfoundland Memorial Park and the Thiepval Memorial, taking time to reflect on the stories, sacrifices and lasting impact of the war.

A particularly special moment was the opportunity to visit a family connection linked to one of our students, helping to make history even more personal and meaningful.

It was a day full of learning, reflection and remembrance, bringing classroom learning to life through unforgettable experiences.

We look forward to sharing more highlights from the trip over the coming days.

📸 Swipe through yesterday’s memories.

🌍✈️ Many of our current Year 8 and 9 students are having an incredible time on their German exchange trip! They’ve been sharing all their adventures over on X — be sure to follow to keep up with everything they’ve been getting up to.

From exploring new places to making lasting memories, the trip has offered an amazing array of experiences so far, including:

📚 Time spent with their host families and in school
🏘️ A visit to Fallersleben
🚗 Exploring Autostadt
⛰️ A trip to Bocksberg in the Harz Mountains
🚡 A traditional cable car ride up the mountain
🛷 A thrilling toboggan run back down!
📍 Exploring Berlin and the Berlin wall
…and so much more!

Here are just a few photos capturing the fantastic scenery and opportunities our students have enjoyed so far. We’re so proud of how they’re embracing this experience! ✨

Our Year 4 students have just returned from an unforgettable residential trip to York! 🌟

From exploring the historic streets, city walls, and castle, to discovering the secrets of chocolate-making at the York Chocolate Factory, the children fully immersed themselves in the city’s rich history. A real highlight was stepping back in time—transforming into Vikings for the day at the Viking village and visiting the JORVIK Viking Centre to experience life in York centuries ago.

Mrs Wheeler shared, “I was incredibly proud of all of the children. Many stayed away from home for the first time and showed fantastic confidence and independence. Their teamwork and camaraderie shone through every day, helping them make the most of this wonderful experience. Staff at every venue commented on their exceptional behaviour, thoughtful questions, and enthusiasm.”

A huge well done to our amazing Year 4 students, you represented the school brilliantly! 👏

And a big thank you to our dedicated CCS staff, who gave up time with their own families to make this trip possible. 💙

☀️ 28 of our Year 8 and 9 students returned last week from an incredible few days in Provence, where they immersed themselves in French language, culture and history.

Students enjoyed exploring the Roman monuments of Nîmes and Arles, wandering through the beautiful streets of Avignon, taking in views of the famous Pont d’Avignon, and discovering the stunning hilltop village of Gordes. They also learned about one of Provence’s most iconic products at the Lavender Museum and were amazed by the vibrant colours of the spectacular Sentier des Ocres.

One of the biggest highlights was an afternoon of adventure, where students challenged themselves on the high ropes course and ziplined through the treetops!

Throughout the trip, students represented the school brilliantly, embracing every opportunity to learn, explore and practise their French. Merci et bravo à tous for making it such a memorable experience! 🌞🏛️💜

Last Thursday, two teams from Year 12 Economics represented CCS at the CIPFA Sixth Form Management Games at De Montfort University, competing against four other schools from across the region.

Students took on the role of a local council's senior management team, tasked with addressing a challenging £7 million budget deficit. Working under intense time pressure, they developed proposals to reduce the deficit while responding to unexpected challenges from trade unions, the media, MPs and other key stakeholders. The day concluded with professional presentations and a Q&A session before a panel of experts.

Our students demonstrated outstanding teamwork, resilience, professionalism and problem-solving skills throughout the competition, thriving under pressure and stepping well outside their comfort zones.

We are delighted to announce that CCS finished as both champions and runners-up, with just half a point separating our two teams. Several students were also recognised with individual awards for their exceptional performances. A huge congratulations to everyone involved for representing CCS so brilliantly and showcasing skills that will serve them well both academically and in their future careers.

We are excited to share our recent Student Spotlight. Year 4 student, Diya recently made a truly inspiring and selfless donation of 12 inches of her hair to the Little Princess Trust, a wonderful charity that provides real-hair wigs to children and young people who have lost their hair due to illness. 💛

This thoughtful act will make a meaningful difference to someone in need, bringing comfort and confidence during a very challenging time.

Diya reminds us all that even the smallest acts of kindness can have a powerful impact on others. ✨

Take a look at our dedicated student spotlight on our website:
👉 https://www.ccs.northants.sch.uk/student-spotlight

Our Year 12 Chemistry students recently visited Wootton Park School to take part in the Royal Society of Chemistry Schools’ Analyst Competition. The event provided an excellent opportunity for students to demonstrate and further develop their practical chemistry knowledge and analytical skills through a series of exciting forensic investigations.

Working as analytical chemists, students were tasked with helping the police investigate the cause of a mysterious illness that had affected an employee at a local pharmacy. Throughout the competition, they carried out a range of laboratory techniques to gather evidence and solve the case.

Students analysed the caffeine content of a coffee sample to determine whether the drink had been tampered with. They then used thin-layer chromatography (TLC) to identify a lipstick stain found on the victim’s shirt before finally investigating a mysterious cream discovered amongst the victim’s personal belongings.
As part of the day, students also enjoyed a fascinating virtual tour of the Chemistry Department at the University of Derby, giving them an insight into higher education and careers in chemistry.

The students thoroughly enjoyed the experience and particularly valued the opportunity to work alongside students from Wootton Park School. The competition was both challenging and rewarding, and all participants represented the school exceptionally well.