On Tuesday night NSB held its second Apprenticeship Evening which built on the success of last year and which saw double the number of attendees! The Cripps Atrium was filled with students and their parents/carers speaking to organisations that offer apprenticeships and making vital contacts for the future, as well as enquiring about the possibility of work experience, an essential aspect of getting yourself in a great position for gaining an apprenticeship. 

In the theatre Judith Howard, our Careers Advisor who organised the event and who has created an extensive booklet and incredibly helpful online resources, took the audience through all aspects of apprenticeships. It was an extremely informative and enlightening evening which covered the wide range of apprenticeships on offer, what to expect from an apprenticeship and provided sound advice on how to approach the process. The two panels provided different perspectives; our alumni, who have secured apprenticeship places, discussed how they were successful and what the experience of the process and undertaking an apprenticeship is like and the employers conveyed what they are looking for in candidates. The apprentices conveyed the positives of getting paid whilst learning and getting that hands on experience and training, having no debt and that you can still have a university experience if you want to and join societies and sports clubs. However, they also highlighted that they are very competitive.  Some key pointers put across by both panels to make sure that candidates are in the best position to secure a place focussed on doing your research, getting in early (once they are gone they are gone), undertaking as much work experience in your own time as possible, being resilient when rejected, considering other levels and not just degree apprenticeships plus applying for multiple places/areas that you are really invested and interested in. The employers made it clear that, as well as the academic qualifications needed, they are investing in the individual and so they look at the whole person, their personality and confidence and whether they are the right fit for the organisation...so making connections, being friendly and personable is equally as important and you must also have a great handshake!

After the talk students were encouraged to go back out to the stalls and start making those connections and practice those handshakes!

The feedback from all contributors and attendees has been fantastic - a big thank you to our alumni and the organisations that took part and to Judith and the Careers Team for putting on yet another illuminating event. The Year 12 students and their parents/carers are now in a much stronger position in order to be able to make the decision of whether an apprenticeship is for them and, if it is, how best to put themselves in the running to secure a place.

Another hugely successful area of the school is our Basketball programme and following the recent national success of our U16 team it was the turn, yesterday,  of our two youngest age groups to take to the court in the East Midlands Jnr NBA Finals. I'm delighted to report that NSB took home the crown in both events with fellow NSB Trust School - Northampton School coming an impressive third in the U13 competition.

Year 7 Results:
Semi-final	NSB  46 - 31  Bosworth
Final	NSB  42 - 30 Ashfield School

Year 8 results
Semi-final	NSB 64 - 29  Northampton School
Final	NSB  49 - 21 Ashfield School

Congratulations to Year 8 student Nate Elliott-King who won the Yr8 Shooting competition - winning a Jr NBA ball and also to Mr Burton, Mr Elder and Mr Nailor for being the school staff responsible for leading a programme which led to NSB being awarded the English Schools Basketball, Educational Institution of the Year award at the Finals event. The impressive citation of which is given below:

Gary Burton, an unsung hero of Basketball in the East Midlands, has been Head Coach at Northampton School for Boys for 17 years. Under his exceptional leadership, Basketball at Northampton School for Boys has been successful for decades. The PE department has always incorporated qualified basketball coaches dating far back to the 80s/90s. All the teams that have represented the school are in the Hall of Fame as pictured within the sports facilities. NSB have had so much success over the years: -  In the dynamic National Finals NSB have been represented in 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2023 and 2025. In 2017 NSB were National Conference Champions at U16. NSB have won the JNR NBA every year bar one where they lost in the final. They are a dominant sporting presence in the Midlands region. Current coaches, Mr Burton, Mr Elder and Mr Nailor have dedicated hours of their time to achieve these successes and have been a huge part of NSB’s success in being the top listed UK State School for sport. More recently, the school have adopted a Level 3 Basketball Academy, competing in the newly formed CBL and they gained promotion in their first year. They provide students with strength and conditioning, shooting clinics, game analysis, rehab sessions and club links through Northants Titans and Northants Thunder. They also partner up with Athletic Elite which is a mental health-based organisation run by Andre Arrissol. Andre comes in to support students with well being and offers one to one talent development sessions, as well as community. NSB host and run all the secondary school competitions within Northamptonshire, organising officials and teams to come and play basketball and all levels. 

There have been many successful players from NSB, including all the Round family (Boys), not to forget Sarah Round who is currently coaching at the NSB sister mixed co-ed school of ‘Northampton School’ alongside Ellie Baker who is also a Level 2 coach. In more recent years, student success includes Ben Nailor, Ash Kitchen, Benas and Gabriel Noel who have all gone onto developing their basketball journey through playing and coaching. NS has allowed the school/trust to develop girls’ basketball, which is close to Coach Burtons heart as his daughter is thoroughly enjoying playing. All the coaches, Burton, Elder, Baker and Round provide opportunities for students to play, train, shoot at lunchtimes and afterschool. The school also provides opportunities for students to train as table officials and referees, providing them with guidance to become successful officials in the future. The time the school puts into basketball, not only within the school itself, but being a pillar of success and inspiration within the community cannot go unnoticed and the whole team deserve the recognition for the impact they have on the county and young people. The links between NSB academic and sporting success, and the results from both GCSE and A level speak for themselves.

Huge congratulations to Jacob Lewis, Joseph Lewis and Andreea Evtodiev who are all continuing to excel in wrestling.  Last weekend, 24-25 May, saw the British Championships, the biggest event of the wrestling calendar, held at the Etihad Campus Manchester. Andreea  won gold in the U17 freestyle becoming Britain Champion in relentlessly dominant fashion. Jacob Lewis took home the silver medal in the U15 freestyle, losing on points following an impressive run to the final, winning all matches by pinfall and not conceding a single point on the way there.  Within the past academic term, both Jacob and Joseph have been called up into to the British Wrestling talent pathway within the regional squad. 

 

Finally, we look forward to our school Musical- Oliver!, Friday 11th and Saturday 12th July. Tickets can be purchased via the link below.

 

 

Richard Bernard
Headteacher