The only events to take place in real crown courts in front of real judges, the Mock Trial Competitions immerse students in the thrill of a criminal trial. The Competitions not only give budding lawyers a chance to experience life inside a courtroom, but provide a unique opportunity for students to learn about the justice system from professionals.

BASE is ICAEW’s National Business and Accounting competition for students in school or college-aged 16-17.
A unique and exciting experience, students are able to engage in business challenges that enable them to develop key employability skills and understand what it’s like to be an ICAEW Chartered Accountant.

Designed to challenge and inspire, the UK Chemistry Olympiad is a unique opportunity for students to push themselves further and excel in the chemistry field.

Budding chemists will develop critical problem-solving skills, learn to think more creatively and get a chance to test their knowledge in new, real-world situations. They could even find themselves representing the UK at the prestigious International Chemistry Olympiad.

The chess club, which runs each week, allows participants to develop their logical reasoning and problem-solving skills.

Students learn about different strategies which can be taken, during each stage of a chess match, and then test what they have learnt against one another.

Debating Matters represents a challenging and engaging approach to debating for sixth form students. Debating Matters presents students with topical debates and a challenging format that will appeal to students from a wide range of backgrounds, and to schools with a long tradition of debating, or with none.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award aims to provide students with an enjoyable, challenging and rewarding programme of personal development. It is a nationally recognized award, valued by universities and employers.

To gain an award students will need to undertake activities in four sections (volunteering, skills, physical recreation and expedition) and demonstrate improvement through persistence & achievement. At Cardiff Academy we regularly have groups of students completing Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards.

Since 1987, the European Youth Parliament supports the development of young people into politically aware and responsible citizens by involving them in European political thinking and promoting intercultural understanding.

The UK Space Design Competition is a science and engineering competition designed as a simulation of life in industry. Open to students in Years 10 to 13, the UKSDC aims to enable students to experience the vast potential & valuable opportunities available through future study, or even a career, in STEM (science, technology, engineering & maths).

The Senior Mathematical Challenge is a 90-minute, multiple-choice Challenge.

It encourages mathematical reasoning, precision of thought, and fluency in using basic mathematical techniques to solve interesting problems.

The problems on the Senior Mathematical Challenge are designed to make students think. Most are accessible, yet still challenge those with more experience.