Aase Cooper, a highly talented Year 10 student at Hans Price Academy, has been extremely busy developing her passion for dance, achieving outstanding success both academically and on stage.

Aase recently completed her dance examinations, gaining two distinctions in ballet and modern jazz, an impressive achievement that reflects her dedication, skill and hard work.

In addition to her exam success, Aase successfully auditioned for the Bridgwater pantomime, where she secured a senior role within the dance ensemble.

She went on to perform during the Christmas period at the McMillan Theatre, appearing in the festive production of Cinderella.

Her commitment to dance alongside her studies is a testament to her determination and talent.

A spokesperson for Hans Price Academy said: “We are incredibly proud of Aase and all that she has achieved.

“Her success in her dance exams and performances demonstrates not only her talent, but also her dedication and resilience.

“She is a wonderful role model for other students, and we look forward to seeing what she achieves next.

“Well done, Aase.”

It’s been a year of steady progress in construction of the ‘exceptional’ new Airfield Primary Academy which will open in Weston-super-Mare in September.

The new primary school, which is being built on the site of the former Weston Airfield, will have 21 classrooms and a 103-place nursery.

Adjacent to the school will be a community hub with grass sports pitches, artificial turf pitch, multi-use game area, changing facilities and a community space with studios.

The school is also being built to green and sustainable standards and will be equipped with solar panels and air-source heat pumps.

It forms part of the Haywood Village development, which includes plans to build 2,500 new homes. Airfield Primary Academy will provide modern facilities and additional school places with community sports facilities right on the doorstep of the growing community.

Airfield Primary Academy is being built by Persimmon Homes and Willmott Dixon to specifications set out by North Somerset Council and Cabot Learning Federation. It is due open to the first intake of pupils at the start of the 2026/27 school year.

The deadline to submit reception-aged primary school applications for children to start school for the first time in September 2026 should be made to North Somerset Council by 23:59 on 15 January 2026.

Though construction continues to make significant progress, proposals to provide alternative temporary classroom provision on a nearby site have also been drawn up and submitted to the Local Planning Authority.

The temporary classroom would provide a space to learn for 2026/27’s first intake of pupils, in the event that the school’s main construction is delayed beyond the start of 2026/27 term.

Craig Jones, Principal Designate for Airfield Primary Academy, said:

“The Cabot Learning Federation is immensely proud to see the new Airfield Primary School taking shape – this will be a fantastic school with exceptional facilities.

“We continue to enjoy a close working relationship with North Somerset Council and Willmott Dixon in delivering this new school for the Weston-super-Mare community.

“Preparations for a September opening are progressing smoothly, and we are excited to welcome our first pupils to this excellent new school.”

Councillor Catherine Gibbons, Deputy Leader of North Somerset Council and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Families, Skills and Lifelong Learning, said:

“North Somerset is committed to providing local schools for local children, so it’s fantastic to see the new Airfield Primary Academy taking shape.

“Now the building’s frame, roof and internal floors are in place, it’s possible to get a sense of the space where pupils will eventually learn.

“Once classrooms are built in the coming year, our vision for these modern facilities will become even clearer, eventually becoming somewhere young people can aim high and realise their ambitions.

“The new Airfield Primary Academy is also a great example of how the council can work with academy trusts and developers to meet the needs of local residents.

“These modern facilities would not be possible without working in partnership, so I’d like to thank to ongoing hard work of CLF, Persimmon and Willmott Dixon.”

Claire Burton, Persimmon Homes Severn Valley’s Managing Director, said:

“Persimmon is very pleased to see progress on the Haywood Village development, particularly the delivery of this key element of community infrastructure. This will be the second school we deliver as part of our scheme for the new community, complementing the existing facilities in Haywood Village and further supporting the growing needs of local families at the development.

“We’re pleased to contribute to the evolving educational landscape in Weston-super-Mare and look forward to seeing Airfield Primary Academy become a central part of the community as we continue to build quality new homes for local families.”

Richard David, Director at Wilmott Dixon, said:

“Working in collaboration with North Somerset Council and Persimmon Homes on the construction of Airfield Primary Academy exemplifies our shared commitment to excellence.

“We are delighted to be working once again with North Somerset Council on a project which pushes the boundaries of sustainable education.”

A weekly coffee and cake morning which builds relationships and offers support to families is proving a much-loved part of life at King’s Oak Academy.

Held every Thursday from 9-10am, CUPPA is a welcoming space where families from across the all-through academy can come together to enjoy a coffee, cake, chat and share experiences, ask for support and, most importantly, connect with one another.

This supportive group of families is built on listening, kindness and shared understanding, with parents and carers offering encouragement, advice and support to one another in a relaxed and friendly environment.

Alongside these informal conversations, CUPPA regularly welcomes external speakers who provide information and practical support around key issues affecting families. Topics covered have included food poverty, mental health support, young carers, living with dementia, and job seeking, to name just a few.

This week, CUPPA also hosted a termly Cooking KOA event, where families enjoyed a free, hands-on cooking experience. Families learned how to prepare a nutritious meal from scratch on a budget and were able to take the finished dishes home to enjoy together. This term’s pastry week was a great success, with families making their own pastry and creating a delicious cowboy pie and winter warmer apple crumble, fun was had by all!

Andy Marshall-Aherne, Assistant Principal, said: “CUPPA is a fantastic example of how strong relationships and simple shared experiences can make a real difference to families’ lives.

“It provides a safe, welcoming space where parents and carers feel listened to, supported and empowered, while also gaining practical skills and knowledge they can take home.

“Events like Cooking KOA show the power of community working together, and we’re incredibly proud of the positive impact CUPPA continues to have across our academy.”

City Academy in Bristol welcomed visitors from Access Sport to deliver a full day of BMX coaching sessions aimed at encouraging more female students to get involved in cycling.

Fifteen students from Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 took part in the sessions, which focused on building confidence, developing bike skills and helping students step outside their comfort zones in a supportive environment.

Access Sport believes it is incredibly valuable for young people to learn how to ride a bike. Cycling offers a sustainable way to travel, helps students stay fit and active, and provides opportunities to learn beyond the classroom.

The BMX sessions encouraged students to challenge themselves while developing important life skills such as resilience, confidence and teamwork.

Many of the students who took part were initially nervous and anxious about getting on a bike. However, by the end of the day, those nerves had been replaced with big smiles and a strong sense of pride in what they had achieved.

James Finn from Access Sport said: “Cycling has the power to transform confidence and open up new opportunities for young people.

“It was fantastic to see students who were initially unsure grow in confidence throughout the day and leave feeling proud of themselves.

“Days like this show how sport can positively impact wellbeing and self‑belief.”

Hardeep Konsal, Inclusion Manager at City Academy, said: “This partnership with Access Sport has been a brilliant opportunity for our students.

“The BMX sessions not only promoted physical activity but also helped our girls build confidence, resilience and independence.

“Seeing them overcome their fears and enjoy the experience was incredibly rewarding.”

Uphill Village Academy is thrilled to announce it has been awarded the Equal Access Schools Award by the Football Association (FA) and Barclays, recognising the school’s outstanding commitment to providing equal opportunities for girls in football.

This prestigious award celebrates schools that ensure girls have the same access to football in lessons, extracurricular clubs, and competitive opportunities as boys.

It also highlights Uphill Village Academy’s dedication to promoting gender equality and empowering young female athletes, aligning with the government’s ambition to level the playing field in school sports.

Sam Hodder, Principal of Uphill Village Academy, said: “We are incredibly proud to receive this recognition.

“At Uphill Village Academy, we believe every child should have the opportunity to discover their passion and develop their talents, regardless of gender.

“Football has the power to inspire confidence, teamwork, and ambition, and we are committed to ensuring our girls have every opportunity to thrive both on and off the pitch.”

There’s no confusion at all with football’s offside rule for one Somerset teenager, after James Pattison, a Year 11 student at Monkton Wood Academy, was voted the county’s Youth Referee of the Year 2025.

James began refereeing at the age of 14 and currently officiates matches across local youth leagues in Somerset.

Since taking up the whistle, he has shown exceptional understanding of the game, strong leadership on the pitch, and a calm, confident approach to decision-making.

This prestigious award recognises James’s hard work and dedication and reflects his outstanding commitment, responsibility, and professionalism while refereeing youth football.

Alongside his studies, James trains three times a week to maintain his fitness levels. He is supported through regular referee training and mentoring sessions provided by the Somerset Football Association, which have helped him continue to develop his skills and confidence as a match official.

James has now taken the step up to refereeing adult games too.

On winning the award, James said: “I’m really proud to receive this award. Refereeing has taught me so much about responsibility and teamwork, and it’s amazing to be recognised for doing something I love.”

Katrina Darley, Year 11 Raising Standards Lead and Science Teacher at Monkton Wood Academy, added: “James is an outstanding young man who demonstrates maturity and dedication in everything he does.

“This award is well-deserved and we’re incredibly proud of his achievements.”

This achievement highlights not only James’s passion for football, but also the important life skills he demonstrates through refereeing, including resilience, communication, and leadership – qualities that will serve him well both on and off the pitch.