An initiative designed to give students and understanding of democracy and a voice in their school community has been held by the Cabot Learning Federation (CLF).

The Pupil Parliament brings together representative pupils from each CLF academy to discuss important issues and topics identified by the students themselves.

Twenty-five children from KS1 to Post 16 pupils spent time connecting,

co-constructing, and exploring their aims, aspirations, and thinking together about our collective responsibility.

The Pupil Parliament included two significant areas of focus –

• Looking after the world – climate action: With the support of CLF Eco Leads, students explored ways to promote environmental sustainability.
• Looking out for each other – inclusion and diversity: Pupils delved into themes of inclusivity and diversity, highlighting the importance of these values in their communities.

Pupils and students offered some really useful and insightful feedback on the World’s Largest Lesson and the Big Ambition themes.

The World’s Largest Lesson promotes use of the sustainable development goals in learning so children and young people can contribute to a better future for all.

The Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, published The Big Ambition, compiling the voices, views and experiences of children about their lives and aspirations.

Pupils also gave feedback and reflections on the TED talk they watched delivered by Cole Blakeway with the theme of We Are All Different – and THAT’S AWESOME! Which further explored inclusion and diversity.

At the end of the session, all the Pupil Parliament representatives were given their Big Parliament badges, some wildflower seeds and teamwork bees to plant, grow and flourish – representing the work of the Pupil Parliament across the trust.

CLF Education Director Susie Weaver said: “It has been my absolute privilege to lead the Pupil Parliament group over a number of years – gathering feedback from our learners on their experiences within and beyond our trust is crucial.

“I am really pleased with the strides we have made in securing pupil participation right across the trust.”

The CLF’s outstanding sporting provision is being cited as an exemplar for the nation’s schools to learn from in a new campaign by the Youth Sport Trust (YST).

Earlier this year, the trust’s PE programme earned the Outstanding Multi Academy Trust Practice Award at the 2024 Youth Sport Trust Awards.

At the time, the judging panel praised an ‘inclusive’ trust-wide physical education provision which is designed to ‘improve the life experiences of all students’.

Now, the organisation has featured the CLF as a case study in its new campaign Well School Trusts: Principles in Practice – Building a Strong Trust Through PE, Sport and Play.

A YST spokesperson said: “This guide, on how to implement the principles of a strong trust, brings welcome focus to how we use the power of PE, sport and play as an enabler, a unifier and source of hope.

“Its practical examples and self-reflection tools will support school trusts in exploring how you might embrace the philosophy of a Well School Trust as we all strive to ‘lead well’ and address the increasing physical, emotional and social challenges faced by our students and staff.

“This toolkit uses practice examples from across the country of school trusts who are putting PE, sport and play at the heart of their Well School Trust approach and delivering on the strong trust principles.”

The YST citation praised the high quality of the CLF’s PE practitioners and curriculum, as well as the impact of its community partnerships and annual series of Big events.

It said: “The CLF believes that by working together they can accelerate school improvement and embed excellence in their academies. In doing so, they can create more opportunities for the lifelong success for their students.

“The Federation exists to promote their life chances and to deliver excellent educational experiences for those pupils in their academies now and in the future.

“Through PE, school sport and physical activity, the CLF ensures that all pupils receive high quality and inclusive education, promoting a positive relationship with physical activity to develop the holistic characteristics to live successfully in society.

“Pupils leave the CLF with skills and characteristics developed through participation, which enables them to be active for life.

“They are provided with a sense of belonging, a positive sense of identity and understanding of how the physical, psychological and social benefits of physical activity can support their wellbeing through life.”

James Mooney, CLF Senior Curriculum Leader for Physical Education, School Sport and Physical Activity, said: “We are proud to have our work showcased in the new Youth Sport Trust’s Well School Trusts: Principles in Practice toolkit as we all strive to address the physical, emotional and social challenges faced by our students and staff.

“We are building a strong trust and driving school and trust improvement by unlocking the potential of every child through PE, sport and play.”

Recent improvements to teaching and curriculum at Bristol’s Waycroft Academy have had a ‘huge impact’, according to Ofsted inspectors, who say the school is now ‘Good’ in all areas.

The primary school – located in Stockwood – offers a ‘calm and purposeful’ learning environment where children are ‘supported with kindness and understanding’, inspectors said.

Ofsted’s glowing endorsement follows a two-day visit from an inspection team, who met leaders from Waycroft and theschool’s multi-academy trust the Cabot Learning Federation, spoke to staff, parents and pupils, and carried out a ‘deep dive’ into teaching and curriculum.

In his report, lead inspector Gavin Summerfield praised Waycroft’s ‘ambitious’ and ‘well-planned’ curriculum, ‘effective’ safeguarding, and the ‘warm and nurturing relationships’ established with early years pupils and those with special educational needs.

On behaviour, his report said: “Pupils work hard in the classroom and participate in lessons with enthusiasm. Pupils learn in a calm and purposeful way.

“The school values of ‘Ready, Respectful and Resilient’ are understood by all. Pupils behave well around the school and live up to the high expectations set by staff.”

On teaching, it said: “The quality of education has improved greatly since the previous inspection and is now in line with the strong pastoral support that pupils receive.

“The school has reflected on the 2023 published pupil outcomes and has prioritised the curriculum. There has been huge impact.”

On wellbeing, it said: “Pupil leadership opportunities such as the school tech team or school council let pupils play an active part in improving the school. Members of the pupil-led wellbeing team welcome other pupils into school and support the mental health of their peers.

“The selection process for these roles is designed to help pupils to understand the importance of democracy and prepare them for life in modern Britain.”

On personal development, it said: “The rich and varied curriculum for personal development is a strength.

“Older pupils show a mature understanding of healthy relationships, power imbalance and discuss important and relevant issues such as the impact of social media on body image. High-quality pastoral support helps pupils manage and understand their feelings.

“Trips and visits are deliberately planned, enhancing many areas of the curriculum.

And on leadership, it added: “The school has recently joined a new multi-academy trust. The expertise and experience available in the trust has supported the school to strengthen its curriculum and provide the right level of challenge and support to school leaders.

“Staff are well supported by leaders who are considerate of their workload and wellbeing. As a result, staff support each other well, there is a strong team ethos and they are proud to work at the school.”

Adam Smith, Headteacher at Waycroft Academy, said:

“Throughout the inspection we were incredibly proud of our children, and of their behaviour, attitudes and understanding of our school values.

“Staff are obviously delighted our school was judged as ‘Good’ in all areas, as it reflects the dedication and hard work that has gone into making improvements since the previous inspection in 2021.

“We are especially pleased with the inspectors’ commendation of our strong team ethos and the way our staff are proud to work at the school, support each other and support the children. It is fitting recognition of our efforts to provide the very best education that we can.”

Picture caption: Headteacher Adam Smith and Assistant Head Emma Sweet, pictured with pupils at Waycroft Academy.

More than 150 students came together for a day of environmental learning and action alongside some of the South West’s leading experts and biggest employers.

The Cabot Learning Federation (CLF) hosted its second annual Environment Conference at Winterstoke Hundred Academy in Weston-super-Mare.

Students from 22 CLF primary and secondary schools, located from Gloucester to Somerset, took part in the event.

This celebration of environmental work across the trust’s academies was organised by the CLF’s Environmental Action Group (EAG) and involved 150 students who are active members of their academy Environment Committees.

Participants learned about their school’s environment impact, and showcased the work being done to reduce that impact.

The event was part of the CLF’s strategic commitment to environmentally-friendly practice, which aims for all its schools to hold Eco Schools Green Flag Status.

Across the day, students enjoyed a mix of expert panel discussions and workshop sessions which involved healthy debate and forward planning for future environmental initiatives.

Keynote speakers included Tom Walmsley of the Ministry of Eco, Paula Malone from Lets Go Zero, Josh Warren of UWE, Libby Watts, representing the North Somerset Climate Team, and Daryl Parker of Kier.

Additionally, there were exhibitors from organisations including Sustrans, Hinkley Point, Cleaner Coastlines, Bristol Airport Action Group, Aspens, Woodlands Trust, and UWE.

Sam Hodder, Principal of Uphill Village Academy and Chair of the CLF EAG, said: “This was a brilliant opportunity to get academies from across our trust together to build on the work of the many brilliant eco groups. The day provided the children with a space to share, celebrate and challenge their work against climate change.”

The event was a significant milestone in raising environmental awareness and action among young learners, encouraging them to take active roles in shaping a more sustainable future and protecting our planet.

Cabot Learning Federation (CLF) schools from Gloucestershire to Somerset came together for an exciting and inclusive day of sport at the University of the West of England (UWE) Frenchay Campus.

The CLF Big Festival of Sport saw primary pupils from Years 5 and 6 secondary students from Years 7 and 8 students from across the trust compete in a wide range of sporting disciplines.

The event provided students with the opportunity to engage in a variety of activities that they wouldn’t typically experience in school or at home. The diverse lineup of activities included karate, korfball, American football, trampolining, cheerleading, climbing, touch rugby, squash, yoga, ultimate frisbee, trim trail and an obstacle course.

The festival operated on a carousel system, with students rotating between three different activities throughout the day ensuring they had a diverse sporting experience.

Encouraging participation over competition, there were no winners or losers—everyone’s involvement was what truly mattered.

James Mooney, the trust’s Senior Curriculum Leader for Physical Education, School Sport and Physical Activity, said: “This event is a great opportunity to offer our disadvantaged students the chance to develop cultural capital through working with their peers from other schools in sporting activities in an aspirational university setting.

“For some, this will be the first time they travel to a university, take part in certain sports or see how sport can allow them to achieve access to opportunities they may think are out of reach.”

The CLF Big Festival of Sport continues to grow an inclusive and encouraging environment, allowing students to explore new activities and visualise a future where they can achieve their goals through sport.

More than 200 sixth form students from 19 schools and colleges from across the South West had the opportunity to meet experts and debate key issues on the environment this week as part of a national sustainability conference.

Year 12 students attended the event held at The University of the West of England (UWE) on Thursday 27 June.

Hosted by the Cabot Learning Federation (CLF) Post 16, the conference was part of a series of 11 events being produced across England and Wales this week.

The eco conference series idea was pioneered by Sir Tim Brighouse before his passing, and they have honoured his transformational leadership of education.

Timed to coincide with the Summer Solstice, each ‘Our Earth, Our Future’ conference was an opportunity for sixth formers to engage in and discuss vital topics around the environment, climate effects and sustainability efforts.

The Bristol theme centred on ecology and sustainability and also featured energy, food, travel and infrastructure. The event was supported in the planning by the Ministry of Eco Education lead Tom Walmsley.

Throughout the day, students enjoyed a mix of expert panel discussions and workshop sessions which involved healthy debate and forward-planning around how we can each support UK and global sustainability agendas.

Keynote speakers included Tom Walmsley from the Ministry of Eco Education and Keith Scholey from Silverback Films, the company behind the BBC’s The Planet series. With expert panellists bringing their knowledge and research to the fore, the event also included Swansea University Chemical engineering Faculty, Energy Sparks, SUEZ and UWE’s Green Skills project.

The ‘Our Earth, Our Future’ 2024 conference series has been generously funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation nationally, with support from climate education charity Let’s Go Zero Advisors.

A report from the event, informed by the participating students’ perspective, will be pulled together by Global Action Plan and filmed created by local education Media provider Boomsatsuma.

Kath Cooper, Principal of CLF Post 16, said: “This is a tremendous opportunity for year 12 students from across the city and neighbouring areas, to bring change to our environments and settings. The power rests in these young people’s fingertips!

“I am thrilled by the interest across the sixth form provision and the wealth of expertise supporting our programme of seminars and key notes. It was an amazing day and I am sure this event will have a major impact on the students that attended for a long time into the future.”