Mossley pupils win University of Manchester science photo competition

Children at Livingstone Primary School took first place for a microscopic photograph of a computer memory chip, with the prizes handed over by a Manchester cancer researcher who grew up in the town.

Pupils at Livingstone Primary School in Mossley have won first prize in the 2026 University of Manchester Microscopes 4 Schools competition. Their winning entry, a close-up photograph of a computer memory chip, came top in the non-biological category. A second image from the school, an aphid on a leaf, was commended by the judges in the biological category.

The win follows a two-week project at the school in February and March 2026. Around 90 children across Years 4, 5 and 6 (aged 8-11) used professional digital microscopes that were loaned to the school for free by the University. A group of Reception children also had a taster session. The microscopes let the pupils explore in extraordinary detail and photograph everyday objects they brought in themselves, from fabric and coins to leaves, feathers and insects.

As first-prize winners, the school gets their very own high-powered digital microscope, along with certificates for the children. These were presented in a school assembly on Friday 10 July by Dr Ben Foster, a cancer researcher at the University of Manchester and a Mossley lad himself, who grew up in the town.

During the project, Ben and Molly Donald, a PhD student in the same research team, also gave a ‘Meet the Researcher’ talk to Years 5 and 6. Ben studies how cells repair damaged DNA, helping scientists understand diseases including cancer.

“The children were absolutely thrilled. For a small primary school, getting our hands on equipment like this is rare, and to then win a regional competition with it is something really special. The best part was watching the ‘wow’ moments as the children saw familiar objects in a completely new way. Ben and Molly’s conversation with the children created a barrage of questions about science and the work of a scientist. We are very proud of the pupils, grateful to the team in Manchester for the opportunity and their time, and of course thankful for the brand new microscope which we’ll be able to use in our science lessons in the future.”

Simon Wilde, Chair of Governors, Livingstone Primary School

“Congratulations to everyone at Livingstone Primary School. We run this competition to spark curiosity and a love of science in young people, and the standard of images this year was excellent. It is brilliant to see the children’s enthusiasm, and it's especially pleasing to see one of our researchers returning to the town where he grew up to inspire the next generation..”

Dr John Knight, Lecturer in Cancer Biology, University of Manchester and founder/coordinator of Microscopes 4 Schools Manchester.

Microscopes 4 Schools (Manchester) is run by the Division of Cancer Sciences and the Manchester Cancer Research Centre at the University of Manchester. It lends microscopes to local primary and secondary schools and runs photography competitions for both biological and non-biological images. The scheme is funded by the Biochemical Society and the Manchester Cancer Research Centre.