Each of the 12 pupils will pick one goal each, before working online in conjunction with a South African student partner on a thought-provoking research project. The South African pupils will then visit Abbey College Cambridge in March 2025, and students from both nations will jointly present their research to the wider school community.

Will Taylor, Head of Transition and Year 9 Coordinator at Abbey College Cambridge, comments; “I am thrilled to say that our first Year 9s are settling in extremely well already, and are excited by the opportunities to grow and develop. The new Year 9 programme has been designed to unlock a world of opportunities for younger students in preparation for their GCSE study in Year 10.

“Our students are studious and award winning, and we believe in challenging them to achieve beyond the traditional curriculum.  For Year 9 this starts with their timetabled international project, which will also introduce them to skills to become a leader of tomorrow.

“We have had a lot of positive feedback about our extra-curricular programme, with the incoming students choosing from over 50 weekly clubs and activities to enjoy not only in term time but also in the holidays, with activities, trips and courses to upskill all pupils, and arrange study support during these times.”

Year 9 pupil Holly enthuses: “I am excited for the working with other students during the Personal Project lessons. I am keen to research topics I am passionate about and learn different solutions to major problems facing the world today. The topic I have chosen is Clean water and sanitation as I think this is one of the biggest problems facing the world today, especially in underprivileged areas.”

And fellow classmate Mani is equally looking forward to the landmark international project: “For the international Project this year, we (Year 9s) are teaming up with a school from South Africa to tackle the 17 sustainable goals by 2030.  Myself and all the other Year 9s are getting a partner to work with from the school in South Africa. I have picked Better Health and Wellbeing as the project that I am going to tackle.”