Cambridge Academy
for Science and Technology

14 September 2018

Travelling to the College

For many students, especially those new to CAST, travelling to college involves becoming familiar with new routines. Some students experience long journeys and varying modes of transport. We would encourage families to talk about safety on those journeys.

Walking and particularly cycling can involve the need for heightened awareness of traffic as well as attention to pedestrians. There are basic safety measures to take account of and we expect that students would wear helmets, use lights and wear visible clothing in dark conditions. Wearing headphones at high volumes can be particularly dangerous in reducing levels of attention so we would suggest you might want to discourage this.

For those new to the guided busway path, this is an efficient, quick and off-road way to travel. However, please do check that as a family you have understood the high speed and close proximity of buses so that when walking or cycling, young people can keep safe by allowing a good distance from the edge of the track (in a similar way to when trains pass through stations). If you have any concerns about travel routes we will try our best to give advice and support.

23 August 2018

GCSE Individual Success Stories

Gemma achieved straight grade 8s and 9s across all of her GCSEs, plus an A for her Higher Project Qualification. She wants to go on to study medicine at university after her A-levels. In addition to her GCSEs, whilst at CAST Gemma has also worked with Medimmune, Cambridge University and the Medical Research Council, had the opportunity to attend a Careers in Medicine conference run by Addenbrooke’s Hospital and achieved a Gold Award in the Royal Society of Biology’s Biology Challenge.

Rocco plans to become a civil engineer or architect. His strong GCSE results in Maths and sciences mean his dream is closer to becoming to reality. Studying at CAST has allowed Rocco to complete work experience in construction with Bouygues, a Higher Project Qualification based upon architectural design and 4 of the Academy’s employer led Challenge Projects, including a 9 week civil engineering project with Mott MacDonald, for which he achieved an EDT Industrial Cadets Award.

Aman achieved Level 9s in all three science subjects and top grades in almost all other subjects that he has taken. He is a keen scientist who wants to go on and study STEM subjects at A Level and beyond, his GCSE results put him in strong position to do this. In addition to completing his GCSEs, Aman has also completed The Duke of York Award, UKMT Maths Challenge, NEF Certificate in Innovation, Employability and Enterprise and a Higher Project Qualification whilst at the Academy.

Max is a physical scientist with a very promising future; achieving very high grades in all the STEM subjects (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Computer Science). The ‘project based’ learning skills achieved through the Academy’s employer led projects allowed him to achieve an A* on his Higher Project Qualification, which involved the production of a sectioned and working petrol engine. Additionally, Max says he is now confident in taking responsibility, leading groups and presenting work.

23 August 2018

CAST Celebrates GCSE Results

Students at Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology are celebrating after more students than ever did well in the sciences and English.

All students study the separate sciences and overall 81 per cent achieved two or more science grades at a 4 or above.

Biology was especially strong for the school as 86 per cent achieved grade 4 or above.

Results in English were pleasing with 83 per cent gaining a grade 4 or above.

16 August 2018

College Celebrates A-Level and BTEC Success

Staff and students are celebrating a great set of results today, with more students than ever gaining the top A-Level grades.

As a specialist STEM college, all sixth form students study highly demanding Science and Maths courses. Almost half of the grades achieved in these subjects are at A*- B. 73% of the cohort achieved Grades A* – C in two or more of their A-Levels or secured the BTEC Extended Diploma (which is equivalent to 3 A-Levels).

At Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology students also have the opportunity to take part in “real-world” projects delivered by top science and technology companies. These skills are reflected in the results of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), with almost half of grades being A*/ A.

Head-teacher, Sian Foreman commented “Our students have been highly successful in progressing onto their chosen university places, apprenticeships and careers. Destinations for students are very impressive, with over 70% going on to university this year to study STEM courses ranging from Medicine to Finance and Cybersecurity. University destinations this year include Exeter, Durham, Glasgow and Nottingham. There is no doubt that the additional project work that students undertake with local companies supports success with degree and work applications.”