As we continue to set the standard for post-16 education in the region, this new building – led by the expertise and vision of Northern Schools Trust – represents a significant investment in our students' futures. The design bridges the gap between traditional schooling and higher education, offering a mature atmosphere where students can thrive.

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Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

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Before dinner, we completed an emergency muster drill which consisted of the general alarm sounding across the ship and all crew mustering at their muster station and donning their life jackets- although this was a little bit terrifying it is very important that we all know what to do and where to go in the event of an emergency at sea.

In the evening, we were served dinner which consisted of sweetcorn, pork, broccoli and mash. After dinner, many games were provided by the Pelican voyage crew which entertained us during our down time. We sat with the other crew members who were from the Isle of Man, and they told us about their different culture such as their folklore and celebrations on the island. This was intriguing as well as surprising to us, students from Liverpool.  Finally, both trainees and crew went to sleep at ten in the evening. Overall, the first day consists of settling in and making ourselves comfortable with the ship.

Day 2: Departure from Liverpool

Monday 22^nd June, 2026

Liverpool – Anchor at Dulas Bay, Anglesey

Cyrus, North Liverpool Academy: Mizzen Watch number 5

I had a wonderful time on day 2, we woke up at 07.00, and after having our breakfast, we departed Liverpool at 08.00, locked out alongside the new Mersey ferry and motored out of the river into Liverpool Bay. As we passed though the lock system, the lock released some water, so we are at the same level as the river outside the lock.

Day 3: Anchor at Dulas Bay

Tuesday 23^rd June, 2026

Stevie Tyrer, North Liverpool Academy: Fore Watch number 9

I woke up at 3:50 am to do my morning anchor watch which consisted of me measuring the temperature of the sea and looking out for anything that could disrupt us while we were anchored. At 5am, I swapped with the next watch members who were taking over from us and I went back to my cabin to get ready.

We had lots of different workshops throughout the day such as knot tying with the cadets, in this I helped prepare one of the sails (T’Gallant) by folding it fan-like state and then tying it with a series of lines known as gaskets. I found it very interesting to learn how the sails work and I really enjoyed watching the crew put the sail on to its yard.

The weather was glorious, and the Irish Sea was so still- apparently this is extremely rare and so we all embraced it. I then went on watch where we had taken turns on the helm and keeping lookout, I struggled slightly with the helm as I found it slightly challenging to keep course on track, but I managed to get the hang of it in the end. Whilst on watch we saw lots of different wildlife such as jellyfish, dolphins, seals and Minke whales- although this was a brief encounter it was so special. We didn’t Anchor this night so sleeping was a slight struggle as we were moving quite a lot due to the wind increasing and coming from the North which was the direction we were travelling, but I managed to get a couple hours of sleep before my watch at 00.00 to 04.00.

Day 4: Port Ellen, Islay

Wednesday 24th June, 2026

Dylan, North Liverpool Academy: Fore Watch number 6

Previously to my middle watch period, hours 0000-0400 I woke up a few hours before, as I had not adjusted to sleeping schedule. The calm waters from before had become more aggressive, causing the ship to pitch about. Despite the baltic temperature and winds, I admired the sunset on the horizon before preparing myself for my upcoming watch, which consisted of wearing more layers. During my watch, I spent my time at the bridge on the lookout for other vessels in the sea and anything that could possibly cause a hazard to the Pelican. Overtime the ship became encased by a dark, grey fog. After 2 hours into my watch, I was granted a 10-minute break, I spent this eating toast. As the swatch progressed, it become increasingly challenging, I spent majority of my time contemplating what I signed myself up to. However, I managed to find the will to push through until the watch concluded.

After 4 hours of sleep, we anchored off Port Ellen in Scotland. After lunch of burgers, we were informed that we will spend the day in the village of Port Ellen. We were given a briefing to ensure our safety off ship. I had a few minutes to gather any belonging and money I would like to take before the rib would take us to the shore. After landing on the beach, me and my friends explored the area while waiting for the rest of the voyage crew. After everyone arrived we had a scientific workshop, where we learned about the various types of animals and other organisms that inhabit beaches and shores. When that concluded, we were given permission to explore the island of Islay for a few hours, with this time me and my friends walked to the village in search for a shop to buy some snacks and ice-cream.

After a few hours ashore we were collected from the beach in the RIB, returning in the same order as we arrived. Heading back towards the Pelican at anchor was breath taking- sitting at anchor she looked very picturesque in the bay- it was amazing to think that in such as short time we had become the crew of the ship and had managed to get the ship from Liverpool all the way to Scotland. Once everyone was back onboard lots of voyage crew showered to remove the sand and salt from their skin- this dented the already dwindling fresh water supply. After our dinner we had a quiet evening were some of the crew played card games, sat and talked or even tried their hand at fishing from Pelican’s poop deck. We were scheduled to complete another 1 hour anchor watch between 20.00-00.00.

Day 5: At anchor Port Ellen and Sailing

Thursday 25th June, 2026

Tara, North Liverpool Academy: Main Watch number 5

Day 5 was another chaotic day on board of the ship; I woke up at 6:30am and got ready for 7:00am for galley duty because it was my day to be on the duty alongside Zuzanna and Cyrus which was fun and calm at the start of the day. Around 8:00am is when we weighed anchor and set sail up north. Two hours into my shift, we called out onto the well deck to get training on the seamanship; this is where we learnt how to pull the lines, make fast and learn key sailing vocabulary such as, “well” this means stop or freeze whatever it is we are doing. Another term I have learnt on the 5 days on this ship is “2…6…heave” which I think is fun when pulling on the main yards when bracing.

However, after the break, we got an announcement telling us that the wind was 20 knots strong; so, we had to turn back and go to port Ellen and anchor there again for the night and wait out the thunderstorm that was on the way. This was basically the end of my galley day shift and finally showered. Finally, everyone met up on the main deck and we were just talking  which was so fun, and I had a great time.

Tall Ship Voyage 2025

What a week it's been for the North Liverpool Academy crew aboard the Pelican! Our young voyagers have experienced a truly unforgettable journey, as documented in their own words.

This national competition received more than 700 entries, and we are immensely proud that Maidah’s artwork was selected as the official BBFC Black Card design for the film. Her artwork will appear before every UK cinema screening when Wicked: For Good is released on 21 November 2025.

Recently, Year 7-10 scholars from North Liverpool Academy embarked on an enriching educational trip to Rome, providing them with a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of the Ancient Roman world. The visit was part of their studies for the GCSE in Classical Civilisation, offering them a hands-on experience of the historical sites they have been learning about in the classroom.

what is british science week?

British Science Week at North Liverpool Academy was a fantastic celebration of learning, discovery, and hands-on experiences. Students had the opportunity to explore a wide range of scientific topics through exciting workshops, interactive demonstrations, and engaging masterclasses. Here’s a recap of some of the highlights from this incredible week. 

What is VEX IQ Robotics?

VEX Robotics offers comprehensive educational solutions designed to integrate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) into classroom settings, fostering essential skills such as creativity, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving. Their curriculum spans from early education to university levels, ensuring a continuum of learning that adapts to various educational stages.

Educational robotics empowers students by providing autonomy in learning, enhancing engagement, and motivation. This approach allows students to leverage their strengths and address individual learning needs, fostering a sense of ownership over their educational journey.

By integrating VEX Robotics into our enrichment, NLA can provide students with hands-on experiences that not only teach STEM concepts but also prepare them for future challenges by developing critical computational thinking skills.