The Cabot Learning Federation (CLF) has teamed up with Bristol Bears to launch a strategic partnership aimed at growing rugby in the region and raising aspirations of students.

The CLF is a family of 35 schools in Bristol, Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset and Somerset, covering 18,000 young people from a wide range of backgrounds and demographics.

The trust has now confirmed a new partnership with Bristol Bears Rugby Club – a team which includes former CLF student, England international Ellis Genge – which it hopes will benefit students.

The link-up will include matchday visits, player visits to CLF schools, and the chance for students to participate in open days and inter-school tournaments. This will open doors to new sporting activities, and help raise ambitions for students who may be keen to follow in Ellis’s footsteps.

For the Bears, the partnership is part of the club’s strategy to identify talent, attract new supporters and deliver positive engagement within the community.

Steve Taylor, CEO of Cabot Learning Federation, said: “A key part of our strategic vision is developing high value partnerships with key stakeholders across the South West.

“We’re looking forward to collaborating with Bristol Bears to provide opportunities for young people within our trust to experience rugby for the first time.

“Through a range of activities and events, we’ll use the power of sport to continue to raise the aspiration and ambitions of children and young people experiencing disadvantage in Bristol.”

And Bristol Bears Chief Operating Officer, Tom Tainton, said: “Our focus is to Inspire Our Community Through Rugby Success. We’re committed to growing the game in our city and that means thinking differently and bringing rugby to new and diverse audiences.

“This developing relationship will help us to work with young people in Bristol who wouldn’t traditionally have engaged with rugby, where we hope to create long lasting affiliations to Bears and to the sport.”

Students from across The Cabot Learning Federation (CLF) made a big splash in the pool during the CLF’s second annual swimming gala.

Weston-super-Mare’s Hutton Moor Leisure Centre played host as students from seven secondary academies took part in a range of aquatic events.

Swimmers from Bristol Metropolitan Academy, Broadoak Academy, Hans Price Academy, Monkton Wood Academy, Kings Oak Academy, Winterstoke Hundred Academey, and Bristol Brunel Academy showcased their sporting talents in a wide range of events.

Students competed in swimming disciplines that included front crawl, back stroke, breaststroke, and butterfly with skill and determination.

Additionally, for the first time in the event’s history, there was also a thrilling 25-metre raft race, which involved two students on a float and two students pushing the craft from the water.

In a nail-biting finish, Monkton Wood Academy proved victorious retaining the title they won last year, narrowly ahead of Hans Price Academy in second and Broadoak Academy in third.

Organisers praised entrants from all seven schools for the determination and sportsmanship they demonstrated through throughout the event.

Hans Price Academy PE teacher Chris Green, who organised the gala, said: “It was inspiring to see so many athletes representing their schools and giving it their all in the pool.

“We hope students had a great time and we look forward to seeing even more schools participate next year, as we aim to make the event even bigger and better.

“A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this year’s gala a success, and we can’t wait to see the swimmers continue to grow and compete in the future.”

Cabot Learning Federation (CLF) primary schools were invited by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) to participate in an all-girls primary school T1 Rugby Festival – an exciting event aimed at promoting inclusivity and engagement in rugby.

T1 rugby is a non-contact sport that embodies the core elements of traditional rugby, including line-outs, scrums, kicking, and the breakdown, while maintaining a simple and accessible format. With a focus on fun, fitness, inclusion, and efficiency, T1 rugby is a game for everyone and can be played by anyone.

Evergreen Primary Academy, Kings Oak Primary, Uphill Village Academy, and Haywood Village Academy proudly took part in the festival, which was hosted at Kingswood RFC.

What made this event particularly special was the opportunity for the girls to be coached by four England Red Roses players – Hannah Botterman, Natasha Hunt, Alex Matthews, and Holly Aitchison. The players put the girls through their paces using the latest coaching techniques, offering invaluable insights and encouragement throughout the session.

The festival concluded with an engaging Q&A session, allowing the young players to interact with the England stars, followed by a memorable photo opportunity – an unforgettable experience for all involved.

A spokesperson for the Cabot Learning Federation said: “We are incredibly proud of our pupils for embracing this fantastic opportunity.

“The festival not only showcased the inclusivity of T1 rugby but also inspired our young athletes by connecting them with role models from the England Red Roses.

“We would like to extend our gratitude to the RFU and Kingswood RFC for hosting such a remarkable event.”

Pupils in Years 3 and 4 at Minerva Primary Academy’s Art Club have been putting their creativity to good use by making bird feeders as part of the school’s ongoing commitment to biodiversity and eco-friendly initiatives.

Using old plastic milk bottles and materials found around the school, pupils transformed waste into useful resources, providing a valuable food source for local birds while promoting sustainability.

The bird feeders will be placed around the school grounds, encouraging more birds to visit and enhancing the local ecosystem.

Minerva Primary Academy continues to explore innovative ways to engage pupils in environmental awareness and sustainable practices.

A spokesperson for the school said: “This project is a fantastic example of how small actions can make a big difference to our environment.

“Pupils have not only developed their artistic and practical skills but also learned about the importance of supporting wildlife and reusing materials in a creative way.”

Waycroft Academy is celebrating a fantastic sporting achievement after its girls’ football team secured a place in the cup final.

In a thrilling and hard-fought semi-final match, the team showcased incredible determination and skill to claim victory over Broomhill.

Their dedication and teamwork has led them to this proud moment, and the whole school community is behind them as they prepare for the final.

Huge congratulations to the players and coaches for this outstanding achievement – Waycroft Academy is in the final!

A spokesperson said: “Their dedication, teamwork, and perseverance have truly paid off.

“The girls have shown incredible skill and determination throughout the tournament, and we couldn’t be prouder of their success.

“We look forward to the final and hope to bring the trophy home.”

Evergreen Primary Academy’s Year 5 Mini Police had an exciting and action-packed experience at Empire Fighting Club, guided by PCSO Nick.

The session provided a fantastic opportunity for pupils to engage in fitness, discipline, and teamwork while learning valuable skills.

Pupils began with a warm-up to get their energy levels up before diving into practicing their punches under expert guidance.

The session not only helped improve their physical fitness but also reinforced important values such as respect, focus and perseverance.

A spokesperson for the academy said: “The Mini Police program is all about building confidence, discipline, and positive relationships with our community officers.

“The visit to Empire Fighting Club was a fantastic experience for our Year 5 pupils, allowing them to develop key skills while having a great time.”

The Evergreen Primary Academy Mini Police initiative continues to provide young pupils with valuable experiences that foster teamwork, responsibility, and a sense of community.