Latest news with #KelvinsideAcademy
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
11-year-old Glasgow girl wins national chess championship
Anika Munshi was crowned the 2025 Scottish Girls Chess Champion following her performance at the competition held in Motherwell last month. She secured the championship with a score of five wins out of six games and the highest tie-break points. Read more: Glasgow Science Centre launches 'extensive' summer programme - here's what's on Anika said: "I'm really proud. "I started playing in 2021 and was pretty far down the leaderboard at first, but I slowly worked my way up. "This was my last chance to win in the primary category, so I was really happy to finish on a high." Anika developed a passion for chess before she could even read, inspired by watching her older brother Aryan - a fellow chess talent who has competed at national and professional levels. She said: "When I was a baby, my parents used to take me in the pram to my brother's tournaments. "By the time I was two and a half, I knew the names of all the pieces. Though her older brother has already established his name in the chess world, Anika credits him as a mentor and motivator in her chess journey, rather than a competitor. She said: "My brother started properly teaching me when I was five." "He set a high standard, but I think I'll catch up to him. 'When I was younger, I used to watch my brother learn chess online through various apps and attend chess clubs. "I'm glad he's there – he was my first teacher, and kind of a stepping stone into this amazing game." She also credited Lenzie Chess Academy and coach Harry Marron for encouraging her growth as a player. Anika's skills were sharpened further during lockdowns, when she played extensively on online platforms like and entering her first graded event at just six years old. Lockdowns gave her extra time to play online, using platforms like and with the prodigy playing her first graded event at just six years old. Reflecting on the wider impact of chess, the Kelvinside Academy pupil said: "It's a strategic game, you have to think logically and plan ahead. "It helps me think through decisions in real life too, like calculating all the possible outcomes before I act. "And it teaches you manners, like shaking hands with your opponent, no matter their age. "There are so many rules: not just for the game, but for how to behave.' The precocious young player is also passionate about promoting girls in chess, a game where only about 11 per cent of players are female, according to the International Chess Federation. Read more: Glasgow restaurant launches chess club with pakora and pint deal Anika said: "I'm really proud to be a girl in chess. "I think more girls should play, but some don't even try because they think it's boring or takes too long. 'But I think girls are actually really good at it – we're focused, we remember things, we can spot patterns quickly. 'If more schools like my school had clubs and activities, and if girls encouraged their friends to join, I think more would give it a go. 'Not only should girls be encouraged to play chess – everyone should. 'It should be part of every school's curriculum. "Everyone deserves a chance to discover something they might be amazing at.'
Glasgow Times
21-04-2025
- Science
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow school pupils enjoy science project with ducklings
The Kelvinside Academy junior school pupils incubated eggs and helped the ducklings hatch as part of their spring science project for British Science Week. Kelvinside Academy pupils with the newly hatched ducklings(Image: Supplied) Read more: Glasgow pubs helped collect 20,500 Easter eggs for charity The ducklings were then allowed to roam around the school, including the headteacher's office. Rector Dan Wyatt said: "They launched a full-scale desk invasion. "I think one even tried to send an email. "It's not every day your to-do list gets rewritten by a duckling." Rector Dan Wyatt (Image: Supplied) The project was designed to give pupils a hands-on lesson in biology, patience, and animal care. The students were involved in every step of the process, from incubating the eggs to finding the right name, with one duckling even earning the fitting moniker 'Beneduckt'. Kelvinside Academy pupils with the newly hatched ducklings (Image: Supplied) Here's what to expect at this year's Glasgow Coffee Festival The pupils also enjoyed reading to and playing with the new baby ducks. Cat Calvert, head of Kelvinside Academy's junior school, said: "If there's a better way to learn than having a duckling on your head, I'm yet to see it. "It's messy, joyful, and unforgettable – just the way childhood should be."
The Herald Scotland
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Kelvinside: All pupils deserve a front row seat in modern education
Back in Glasgow's West End, his proud parents, friends and family gathered to watch the awards on television. Just a few streets away, teachers and pupils at Kelvinside Academy – the school Blair left just a few years earlier – were celebrating too, cheering one of their own as he reached such dazzling heights. 'As a community, we celebrate so many of our Academicals' achievements,' says Daniel Wyatt, Rector of Kelvinside Academy since 2019. 'Although we haven't had too many Grammys to cheer for!' Now based in Los Angeles, Ferguson regularly returns to his former school, encouraging pupils, connecting with teachers and former schoolmates, judging music competitions, and sharing his journey. After his win, he credited Kelvinside – and 'Mr Wyatt', as he still respectfully calls him – in helping spark the ambitions that led him to success. Of course, not every pupil will pursue a music career, Wyatt said, but what matters is the opportunity. 'Whether their dream is to play a role in the school show or perform at Carnegie Hall, every pupil has access to the tools and the support they need to succeed – regardless of what they choose to pursue.' This philosophy lies at the heart of Kelvinside Academy's new campaign – Every Seat is a Front Row Seat. More than a campaign, it captures the school's belief that smaller, tightly-knit learning communities offer pupils a front-row experience – not just in the classroom, but in every performance, project, and opportunity. With just over 600 pupils from ages three to 18, Kelvinside stands apart in a sector often dominated by large, high-pressure environments. 'At our size, no one slips through the cracks,' Wyatt explained. 'Every child is known, seen and heard – and that builds confidence, resilience, and ambition.' The campaign launches as education – across both public and private sectors – faces mounting pressure. From industrial action and teacher shortages to national debates about fee-paying schools, the context is changing rapidly. For Wyatt, the 20% VAT on independent school fees is just one example of short-term policy lacking long-term vision. 'If a government wants an end to fee-paying schools, then it should provide an alternative that makes the sector unnecessary. That's not where we are right now,' he said. 'It's the first government to ever impose VAT on education, and it's pricing parents out of making a choice they believe is right for their child. Parents make enormous sacrifices to access an education that aligns with their values. They trust us with their children and their futures – and that responsibility drives us in everything we do,' he added. (Image: Kelvinside Academy Rector Daniel Wyatt) For many families, Kelvinside's appeal lies in its rejection of a one-size-fits-all approach. Wyatt, who next year marks 30 years in education, believes the current curriculum too often prioritises performance over real learning – especially in the senior years where he believes pupils are 'over assessed'. 'You don't dig up a plant every day to check its roots – you nurture it with water and sunlight and let it grow. S4, S5 and S6 pupils are being assessed more than they're being educated. That's not what learning should be. Reform of education should be looking for more time between assessments to let children develop and we must be open to alternative forms of assessments in addition to the prevalence of high-stakes, one-off exams that we have now. Kelvinside, by contrast, embraces a more thoughtful, experience-led model. Its independence allows it to move quickly, innovate, and place pupil wellbeing and intellectual curiosity at the centre of the school experience. At junior level, pupils are encouraged to learn through play in engaging contemporary environments, and are introduced to modern educational essentials such as coding at an early age. 'Progressive education doesn't mean throwing out rigour,' Wyatt adds. 'It means understanding the child in front of you and tailoring the journey. That's only possible when your school community is small enough to truly know every pupil.' This level of personalisation, he says, enables Kelvinside pupils to thrive – academically, socially, emotionally, and culturally. It also fosters deep, lasting connections that extend beyond school. 'One of our greatest strengths is our alumni network. Former pupils come back to mentor, to speak at events, to help current students imagine what's possible. Hundreds turn out to school reunions. That kind of connection doesn't happen by accident – it's intentional, it's powerful, and it's inherently Kelvinside.' From sporting success to musical achievement, academic excellence to entrepreneurial spirit, Kelvinside has a proud record across disciplines. Yet for Wyatt, the school's biggest strength is its community – one where pupils are encouraged to take part, take risks, and take pride in themselves. 'In larger schools, it's easy to get lost in the crowd,' he reflects. 'Here, every child is front and centre. They're not just part of the system – they help shape it.' With Scottish education facing increased scrutiny – from disappointing PISA scores to questions around curriculum reform – Kelvinside is doubling down on its core values – care, connection and character. 'We believe that challenge creates character, and character creates strong children – that's what we want to build,' says Wyatt. 'And to do that, we must build a strong environment around them – one that celebrates effort, values individuality and believes in potential.' In an increasingly competitive and uncertain education landscape, Every Seat is a Front Row Seat offers a reminder that bigger isn't always better – and that sometimes, the most powerful education comes from the smaller dynamic community. For families seeking more than just exam results – for those looking for a school that nurtures identity, ambition and belonging – Kelvinside Academy offers a front-row view of what education truly can be. ----------------------------------------------------------- THE KELVINSIDE ACADEMY ROUTE FROM CLASSROOM TO CAREER ... MALIHA Shoaib (Class of 2018) is a reporter at Vogue Business, where she covers the evolving global luxury fashion market and how brands can future-proof themselves. A winner of the Vogue Business Talent Competition in 2020, she now also sits on the Professional Publishers Association's first-ever Next Gen Board for under-30s. Maliha studied English and World Philosophies at SOAS, University of London, and led the student newspaper as editor-in-chief. She credits Kelvinside Academy – where she studied from P2 to S6 – for nurturing her passions with tailored academic support and a compassionate community. 'School always felt like a safe space,' she said. 'That comfort gave me the confidence to believe that, after Kelvinside, anything was possible.' BLAIR Ferguson (Class of 2020), known professionally as BLK, is one of Scotland's most exciting young music producers. At just 21, he's earned five Grammy nominations for work with SZA, Babyface and Justin Bieber – all from a music career launched from his Glasgow bedroom. Blair credits Kelvinside Academy for nurturing his creativity and confidence, offering flexibility with exams and inspiring performance opportunities. 'My teachers gave me the space to be myself and the support to grow as an artist,' he says. Now based between Scotland and LA, Blair is helping Kelvinside launch a YouTube channel to showcase young talent. 'It's my way of giving back,' he says, 'and helping the next generation follow their own creative paths.' AVA Hamilton (Class of 2024) is the fastest woman speed climber in the UK, having broken the British record at just 17 with a time of 8.64 seconds. A dedicated athlete with Olympic ambitions, Ava left Kelvinside Academy after S5 to train full-time in the US with legendary coach Albert Ok. She balances more than 20 hours of training each week with part-time jobs to fund her career. Ava credits Kelvinside for supporting her academic and sporting ambitions, allowing her the flexibility to pursue elite sport. 'It wasn't easy,' she says, 'but the understanding and encouragement from teachers made it possible.' Now focused on breaking the 7.5-second barrier, Ava also hopes to study linguistics and continue modelling for fitness brands. MISS Carly Bisset (Class of 2009) is a General Surgery Specialty Trainee in Glasgow, sub specialising in Colorectal Surgery, and an Honorary Clinical Lecturer at the University of Glasgow. She was awarded a PhD by the University of Aberdeen in 2023 for her research on surgical decision-making. A former Full Blue in Hockey at the University of Edinburgh, she continues to compete at club level. Carly credits Kelvinside's close-knit community and diverse extracurricular opportunities – from the CCF to school drama – for building her confidence, resilience and academic drive. Now mentoring her niece and nephew through their Kelvinside journeys, she credits the school with nurturing both ambition and a lifelong love of learning beyond the classroom. MARC Taylor (Class of 2008) is a successful entrepreneur in Scotland's property, factoring and lettings sectors. He credits Kelvinside Academy with nurturing his confidence, independence, and ambition from a young age. 'Kelvinside was a place where I always felt like an individual,' he said. 'It wasn't about fitting a mould – teachers took time to understand who you were and encouraged you to follow your own interests.' That early encouragement to think differently and back his ideas has stayed with him throughout his career. Marc also developed a passion for rugby at school, learning valuable lessons through competitive sport. Now a parent himself, he reflects on the lasting impact of a school that recognised and supported his potential. 'I realise how lucky I was.'
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Schoolgirl's solar-powered blanket for the homeless wins engineering prize
A Schoolgirl's idea to help the homeless with green technology has beaten 70,000 other entrants from across the UK to win a top prize for junior engineers. Rebecca Young's heated blanket design has won the MacRobert Commendation Medal, blending compassion and creativity to address social challenges The 12-year-old, an S2 pupil at Glasgow's Kelvinside Academy, designed a solar-powered blanket as part of the UK Primary Engineer competition, and came out on top after a public vote. Rebecca's creation – a heated blanket integrated into a backpack powered by solar panels – was inspired by seeing people sleeping rough on the streets of Glasgow. Rebecca was tasked with designing something to address a social issue and felt homelessness was a pressing problem she could help solve. The talented youngster spent time researching existing products, such as sleeping bags and backpacks, to inform her design. Her efforts earned her the top spot in both the Scottish and UK-wide rounds of the competition. Rebecca with the prototype of her invention (Image: Kelvinside Academy) Engineering firm Thales, which supports the Primary Engineer initiative, chose to develop a prototype based on Rebecca's design. Their engineers produced a blanket that uses copper wiring for heating, flexible frames for portability, and solar panels for power. The first version of the prototype was brought to Kelvinside Academy's Innovation School, where Rebecca was able to hold the tangible result of her idea. Rebecca, from Glasgow, said: 'To think something I've designed could one day help somebody on the streets is amazing. 'Unfortunately, you see so many people sleeping rough on the streets of Glasgow, and I always felt bad seeing how cold they were. It was obvious to me that this could help. 'It felt amazing to see my drawing turn into something real. I never thought that could happen. Homelessness is a big problem that needs fixing, and if you see a homeless person, help in any way you can.' The Primary Engineer MacRobert Medal is a collaboration between The MacRobert Trust and Primary Engineer, with support from The WEIR Group PLC, and the awards highlight the culmination of the UK Leaders Award competition. During the competition, Rebecca's designs were showcased at events at Barony Hall, the University of Strathclyde, and the University of Glasgow, giving her a glimpse into the possibilities of a future career in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). Rebecca's parents and younger sister, who attended the showcase events, said they were 'immensely proud' of her achievements. While Rebecca is also a talented musician – she plays drums in a band called The Girls – she says the experience of seeing her design come to life has inspired her to consider a career in STEM. Rebecca with the Primary Engineer MacRobert Medal (Image: Kelvinside Academy) Leigh Goldie, Rebecca's teacher and design coach at Kelvinside Academy's Innovation School, praised her achievement. She said: 'Rebecca's success feels incredible. It's so unusual to see this level of awareness and creativity at such a young age, and to apply that to a real-world issue is truly special. 'Rebecca's story shows how creativity and compassion can lead to meaningful innovation, even at this stage of life. If she decides to pursue STEM further, who knows how far she could go? "At Kelvinside Academy, we are committed to inspiring young minds through our Innovation School, empowering students like Rebecca to use their creativity to make an impact in the world. Rebecca's work highlights how young people can contribute to addressing societal challenges through innovation, inspiring others to consider how they too can make a difference." Thales engineers hope the prototype will be developed further and potentially patented for production. The company's involvement has given Rebecca a rare insight into the engineering process, sparking her interest in how ideas move from concept to reality. Colin Scouller, Head of Engineering Early Careers, Thales UK: 'Thales in the UK is proud to be national sponsors of Primary Engineer. Their mission to get more young people involved in STEM and inspire the next generation of engineers is something we truly value. We're looking forward to continuing our partnership with Primary Engineer as it continues to grow.'
