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.”

John Cabot Academy proudly celebrated diversity when it hosted A Day of Culture, a vibrant celebration highlighting the differing backgrounds of its student body.

Students were invited to attend the academy wearing traditional colourful attire representing their diverse heritage and cultural identities.

Throughout the day, the Bristol academy organised an array of engaging sessions and activities through a range of cultural activities. Talks were delivered by Integrate UK, there were fashion shows, and at lunchtime students could interact with stalls from organisations including Babbasa, and West of England Music and Arts Alliance, offering immersive experiences into different cultural aspects.

The festivities culminated in a spirited culture day quiz during tutor time, encouraging friendly competition and further exploration of the world’s diverse cultures.

Charlotte Grierson, Curriculum Leader for Performing Arts, said: ‘It was a vibrant day with students learning about different cultures, celebrating their own heritage, and embracing our wonderfully diverse community here at John Cabot Academy. A lovely day to be a part of.”

In response to the profound economic hardships inflicted by the pandemic, Bristol Brunel Academy took proactive steps to establish its own foodbank, providing vital support to families facing food insecurity in their local community.

Channel 5 News visited the academy to find out more about this initiative.

In a night filled with an air of anticipation, athletes gathered at the esteemed Broadoak Academy Sports Personality of the Year Awards Evening 2024 to celebrate excellence and recognise outstanding achievements in sport, not just in school but in the wider community.

The event brought together students from various sporting disciplines, showcasing excellence and participation. Sports such as windsurfing, athletics, boxing, gymnastics, horse-riding, and many more were represented on the night.

Among the many awards given out on the night there were awards for positive contributions award, after school sport award, outstanding achievement award, recognising achievement award, student choice award, and PE student of the year.

Parents/carers and students were greeted with drinks and nibbles, setting the stage for what would be an unforgettable evening and the first of its kind for Broadoak Academy.

One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of the coveted Sports Personality of the Year award itself, a distinction reserved for the student who has demonstrated unparalleled skill, leadership, and sportsmanship. The recipient of this prestigious accolade, Oliver Bishop in Year 8, stood as a paragon of athletic prowess, embodying the spirit of perseverance and determination.

Moreover, the evening served as a platform to recognise the invaluable contributions of their parents/carers for their unwavering commitment and dedication behind the scenes to ensure the student athletes were equipped with the tools, encouragement and guidance needed to reach their full potential.

Principal Danny McGilloway said: “What an amazing evening. To be surrounded by such sporting talent was a real privilege, and I am very proud of what our students have achieved and continue to achieve with their sports in and out of school. We know that this is the first of a reoccurring annual evening that we will hold to celebrate our young sports stars, and we look forward to seeing how our students grow and develop in sport over the next year prior to our 2025 Broadoak Academy Sports Personality of the Year Awards.”

A student committee at an academy in Weston-super-Mare has taken the lead on all things environmental by spearheading a campaign to plant trees in the school grounds.

In collaboration with the Woodland Trust, students at Hans Price Academy have planted 80 trees donated by the Trust. Trees planted include oak, birch, and willow, among others. This latest tree-planting initiative marks the third instalment, bringing the total number of trees planted through donations to an impressive 240.

The Woodland Trust, a leading environmental charity, aims to provide opportunities for tree planting across the UK.

The charity’s website says: “We aim to make sure everybody in the UK has the chance to plant a tree. So, we’re giving away hundreds of thousands of trees to schools and communities. Together, we’ll get millions more trees in the ground.”

The team of eager student environmentalists comprised of the academy’s eco committee and a group of students from the Duke of Edinburgh programme.

Dr Watts, Second in Science and Eco Coordinator, said: “The overarching goal of this initiative is to ensure that the trees planted will flourish and we hope these trees will be a firmly established part of the school by the time the students planting them are old enough to bring their children to Hans Price.”