Pupils at Haywood Village Academy were treated to an unforgettable experience as they delved into the captivating world of rainforest animals. Reception had the unique opportunity to meet an array of fascinating creatures during a special visit from Zoolab.

Zoolab, a renowned family-run business, brought the rainforest to life right in the heart of the academy. For over 20 years, Zoolab has been astounding, educating, and inspiring children across the UK with their diverse collection of exotic animals.

During the visit, pupils were introduced to a python, scorpion, giant African land snail, white tree frog, and a stick insect. Despite the variety of creatures, the pupils showed remarkable courage as they eagerly embraced the opportunity to hold each animal.

Their curiosity shone through as they posed thoughtful and engaging questions, demonstrating a genuine enthusiasm for learning.

Della Hall Class Teacher at Haywood Village Academy said: “We have been learning about the rainforest as part of our themed enquiry. The children thoroughly enjoyed meeting real animals from the rainforest to support their understanding about the world around them. We are looking forward to writing about our experience.”

Staff and pupils at Snowdon Village, part of the Cabot Learning Federation’s central alternative provision, had a fun day dressing up as superheroes in recognition of children who are suffering every day with a syndrome without a name (SWAN).

A charity awareness day was held for SWAN UK, celebrating Undiagnosed Children’s Day, which takes part every last Friday in April. SWAN UK is the only dedicated support network in the UK for families affected by a syndrome without a name – genetic conditions so rare they often remain undiagnosed.

The aim of SWAN UK is that every family gets the support that they need, regardless of whether or not they have a diagnosis.

Enthusiastic pupils from Years one to 11 took part in the charity fundraising day which has raised over £400 in donations so far. All proceeds raised will go to SWAN UK’s invaluable efforts to support their incredible work, providing much-needed assistance to affected families across the UK.

Many of the children Snowdon Village support are suffering with needs that have yet to be formally diagnosed. Staff used this day to really celebrate the children they work with and raise awareness about their differing and complex needs.

Alex Davies, Principal of Snowdon Village, said: “I was thrilled with how many staff and students took part in this important day. A highlight for me was talking to the children about how much they enjoyed learning Makaton and exploring what it would be like to lose a skill many of us take for granted such as talking or walking.

“Many of the children we work with are suffering from undiagnosed needs and it was important to us we marked this day and celebrated the needs of the children we work with and other superheroes across the UK who may be suffering with an undiagnosed need. They might not be wearing capes every day, but they are all superheroes in our eyes.”

Through this heartwarming initiative, Snowdon Village reaffirmed its commitment to fostering inclusivity, empathy, and support for all its students and their families.

Students from across the Cabot Learning Federation were given a unique insight into the worlds of policing, politics and public safety in a community assembly attended by the four candidates to be the next Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset.

Bristol’s City Academy played host to the Avon and Somerset Youth Accountability Assembly, an event carefully organised by Citizens Somerset and Citizens Southwest, the local alliances of Citizens UK.

The event saw students from Bristol, Weston-super-Mare and Somerset – representing schools including Hanham Woods Academy, CLF Post 16, and Broadoak Academy – join other regional civil society organisations in putting questions to the PCC candidates.

The agenda had been carefully crafted over 12 months and featured a number of detailed asks they were seeking candidates’ commitment on as part of their ambitions for policing in the region.

Benet Allen (Liberal Democrats), Katy Grant (Green Party), Clare Moody (Labour and Co-operative Party) and Mark Shelford (Conservative Party) will all be hoping to top the ballot when voters head to the polls on Thursday.

But first they were invited to participate in an event seeking to reshape democracy in the region by placing people’s stories at the heart of how future policy can be formulated.

The Citizens UK initiative was designed to help foster closer ties between the candidates and the region’s young people, celebrate past achievements in improving the safety of our streets, and secure public commitments on future initiatives.

Candidates were asked to pledge support for initiatives to tackle knife crime, work with schools to encourage crime reporting, ringfence funding for youth diversionary activities, and help to reduce poverty by creating a Living Wage region in Avon and Somerset.

These actions form part of a ‘citizens’ agenda for change’ proposed by Citizens Somerset and the developing alliance in Bristol, which believes unified community action is vital to help overcome issues such as knife crime and street violence.

Carina Crawford Khan, Assistant Director at Citizens UK, said: “The assembly is an exciting opportunity to reimagine what politics could look like across Avon and Somerset when we are able to bring communities and decision makers together for the common good.

“We are all concerned about the recent rise in violence in our communities and recognise that anger without power can lead to rage. Sometimes fear can lead us to retreat. But through community organising, we are building power to create a vehicle for change and offer hope that things can be different and we can find solutions to tackle this issue.”

Sally Apps, Executive Principal of the Cabot Learning Federation, said: “The voices and views of our children are critical to creating a safer community now and in the future; working with Citizens UK as part of our wider Voice strategy has enabled our children to be taken seriously and to be a powerful force for change.”

The vibrant spirit of the West End descended upon Bristol as City Academy proudly presented the iconic blockbuster musical, The Lion King.

Transporting audiences to the heart of Africa with stunning costumes and sets, this mesmerising production told the story of young lion prince Simba (a role shared by Year 7 students Jada-Leigh Clarkson and Ruby Malone) who was born in Africa. However, Simba’s birth pushes his uncle Scar down to second in line to the throne.

Scar plots with the hyenas to kill King Mufasa and Prince Simba and claim the crown for himself. When the King is killed, Simba is led to believe by Scar that it was his fault, and the desperate cub flees the kingdom in shame.

City Academy’s production ran across two sell-out shows, with more than 350 people watching this amazing production each night, showing great support from families and the local community.

The journey to bring The Lion King to life began months ago in September, with students giving up their own time to rehearse. In total, 50 students were featured in the cast, ably supported by 12 crew members from Years 7-11.

Rebecca Pearce, Teacher of Drama, said: “This has been the most resilient and resourceful cast I have every worked with. Everything for the Lion King has come together seamlessly, and there is an energy and synergy from our cast that I have not seen before. I have found the whole experience extremely uplifting.

“I also want to thank Rebecca Anderton, our very talented choreographer, and Louise Caplin and Ben Van Wyck, our wonderful musical directors.”

A school in Bristol is supporting a groundbreaking police initiative aimed at fostering stronger relationships between law enforcement and young Black individuals in Bristol and beyond.

Avon and Somerset Constabulary, in conjunction with Elevated Minds CIC, is working with City Academy students and students across the country, to help build stronger relationships with young Black people in Bristol and nationally.

The partnership with Elevated Minds CIC is part of the National Police Race Action Plan and an initiative that encourages children of Black heritage to have their say in how the police can better engage with them.

Expert educational practitioners from Elevated Minds joined Avon and Somerset Police’s school engagement and neighbourhood officers at City Academy, seeking the opinions of students of Black heritage about their local police service and gathering their ideas for improving relationships with them.

The programme also aims to improve children of Black heritage’s perceptions of the police and encourage them to consider a career in the police service.

Elevated Minds envisions a world where young people and their families are equipped and empowered to know who they are, identify their purpose and raise their aspirations.

 The organisation believes in the power of coaching and personal development and use both to help young people to improve their emotional intelligence which has a direct impact on their attainment in education and their aspirations.

This partnership marks a significant step forward in promoting diversity, understanding, and collaboration within the community.

Doreen Sinclair-McCollin, CEO of Elevated Minds, said: “Our programme was developed after many years working closely with the Metropolitan Police and inner-city schools in London, which has helped us understand what the police must do to build strong and positive relationships with young people.”

Hardeep Konsal, Inclusion Manager at City Academy, said: “The positive workshop for young people with Elevated Minds and the police and was both engaging and informative. Doreen, who was leading the workshop was approachable and supportive, creating a safe space for participants to ask questions and share their thoughts and concerns.

“Through interactive activities and discussions, the workshop fostered a sense of collaboration and mutual understanding between the young people and the police.

“The participants left the workshop feeling empowered and inspired, with a greater appreciation for the role of the police in their community. Overall, the workshop served as a valuable opportunity for young people to build positive relationships with the police and gain valuable insights into the practices and procedures.”

In a swashbuckling display of talent and creativity, Tewkesbury Academy’s stage came alive with the timeless tale of Peter Pan.

Audiences of all ages were taken on a magical journey to Neverland, home of fairies and pirates and a unique ticking crocodile.

They followed the story of Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up, as he whisks the Darling children away from their nursery to the fantastical realm of Neverland, where adventure and mischief lay in store.

Led by Noah Green (Year 9) in the iconic role of Peter, Tinkerbell played by Phoebe Haddrell (Year 10) and Captain Hook, played by Samuel Tomkins (Year 13), a talented cast of more than 40 students from different year groups took part in this mammoth production.

The students put their talents to use in a wide variety of roles, both on stage and behind the scenes.

Everyone involved had been working tirelessly on this production, rehearsing extensively for more than three months, after school and even at weekends.

Morgen Taylor, Teacher of Drama at Tewkesbury Academy, said: “This production of Peter Pan has been a journey filled with creativity, collaboration, and sheer determination. I couldn’t be prouder of the dedication and talent displayed by our students. They truly brought the magic of Neverland to life on stage.”