TV science lesson at Woodchurch High School

PUPILS at a Wirral school reached for the stars to end Liverpool’s Capital of Culture year in an explosion of fireworks. Television cameras followed the group of 18 second years at Woodchurch High School for six months as they learned about the secret science of fireworks during lessons and visits to China and the USA. Physics teacher Andy Smith was tasked with changing the teenagers’ low opinion of science and inspiring them to design the first minute of a firework display launched from boats on the Mersey in January. Their adventures will feature in a three-part documentary, Rocket Science, which starts on BBC 2 this Friday at 9pm. Andy, 32, from Oxton, said: “At the beginning, most of the class told me they didn’t like science but it’s given them more of an interest in the subject.” “When they saw the firework display they couldn’t believe what they’d been able to achieve. “But my 10 minutes of fame are definitely up now – no more!” Andy, who has been teaching at Woodchurch High for 10 years, was approached to take part in the series after he was spotted by producers on Teachers TV. Rebekah Phillips, the acting headteacher at Woodchurch High, said: “It was an absolutely fantastic opportunity for the class and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

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