Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation News Science
Last week, we celebrated British Science Week 2026, and what a fantastic week it was! One of the standout highlights was seeing our Year 12 science pupils bringing science to life across the School.
Our Sixth Form scientists visited classrooms to deliver a series of exciting, hands-on experiments, inspiring younger pupils to ask questions, investigate ideas, and think like scientists. Their enthusiasm and confidence made a real impact, sparking curiosity and a love of discovery throughout the School.
British Science Week is all about celebrating science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and encouraging the next generation to explore the world around them. It was wonderful to see our older pupils sharing both their knowledge and passion, acting as role models for younger learners.
However, the week was not just about traditional science – it also highlighted the importance of computer science and digital skills.
Hands-On Science Across the School
Pupils across different year groups also embraced the spirit of the week through practical challenges and investigations. Year 7 pupils put their engineering skills to the test by designing and building boats capable of holding as many marbles as possible without sinking. Henry, Daniel and Will’s winning design held an impressive 70 marbles!
Meanwhile, Year 9 pupils carried out eye dissections, gaining a fascinating insight into the structure and function of the eye through hands-on scientific study.
House Hackathon Launch
The week began with Computer Science hosting our very first House Hackathon competition. Pupils worked in teams to break codes, solve puzzles, uncover clues and crack safes, all while exploring the rich history of our School.
All Houses performed exceptionally well in a fast-paced and exciting challenge. Congratulations to Poole, who just pipped Caffinites to the post, with Lodge coming in a close third.
Cyber Security in Action
As part of the week’s activities, we were delighted to welcome Waterstons, a Durham-based cyber, data and technology consultancy and proud supporter of the CyberFirst scheme, which aims to engage pupils with cyber security and inspire future careers in the sector.
Last Friday, the team delivered an insightful talk on the cyber security landscape, before leading an interactive exercise titled “Udder Disaster.” Pupils were placed in charge of a new business – a dairy farm – and, working within a limited budget, had to prepare for uncertainty and protect their investments from a range of threats, including cyber attacks.
This engaging exercise provided a valuable opportunity for pupils to understand the real-world risks of running a business while also considering the ever-evolving cyber threat landscape. We were pleased to welcome Stewart, Damon, Kris and Megan who presented the workshop perfectly!
Cyber Explorers Cup 2026
Following on from the week’s celebrations, on Tuesday pupils also took part in the Cyber Explorers Cup 2026, a national competition designed to inspire the next generation of cyber security experts.
Led by the UK Government, Cyber Explorers is a free online programme that introduces young people to the fast-moving world of cyber security while developing essential skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking and teamwork.
During the live one-hour challenge, pupils from across the country competed head-to-head, tackling a range of interactive tasks for the chance to win £2,000 worth of technology for their School.
We are incredibly proud of all our pupils for embracing the challenge and representing the School so brilliantly. Winners will be announced in early April, and we wish everyone the best of luck!
Well done to everyone who took part in a truly inspiring week – we can’t wait to do it all again next year!
