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.

One of Bristol’s leading educators has been awarded a knighthood in the New Year’s Honours in recognition of his work to ‘tackle educational inequality’ in the South West.

Steve Taylor is Chief Executive Officer of the Cabot Learning Federation (CLF), a multi-academy trust founded in Bristol, but now operating 36 schools between Gloucestershire and Somerset.

He has held the post for 11 years after previously leading schools in Bristol and overseas, and during that time has seen the CLF triple in size to now serve in excess of 18,000 young people.

CLF schools have seen dramatic improvement under his leadership, as the trust has earned a positive reputation for taking on struggling schools and supporting them to improve.

Steve has also instilled a values-led approach to the trust, which places equity at its heart as it aims to ensure all students are supported to achieve lifelong success irrespective of any disadvantage they may face.

Outside of the CLF, Steve is an active participant in local, regional and national networks designed to strengthen UK education for the benefit of all children, and has held a number of advisory and governance roles within the sector.

In 2015, Steve was appointed a National Leader of Education. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching, an inspector for Ofsted, and holds an honorary Doctor of Education degree from UWE Bristol.

The formal citation from the Cabinet Office said: “Under his leadership, CLF has transformed schools in East Central Bristol, once among the most underperforming areas, into thriving learning communities.

“CLF expanded from 12 to 35 schools across the South West, securing high standards in Ofsted and performance outcomes.

“He is a founder member and Chair of the Queen Street Group, a national organisation of trusts who promote sector collaboration and professional development of senior leaders, while acting as a sounding board for government and policy makers.

“He launched the Boolean Maths Hub and established the Five Counties Teaching School Hubs Alliance, creating partnerships to tackle educational inequity by driving school improvement across 750 schools and providing outstanding initial teacher training to the South West region.”

In accepting the award, Steve Taylor, CEO of the Cabot Learning Federation, said:

“Since learning of this award, I have thought about all those colleagues in the Cabot Learning Federation and in the wider sector, whose work and successes have inspired me over the years to strive to do my best for the children we serve.

“Anything I would count as an achievement has come about as the result of working in collaboration with great people I have had the privilege of knowing, in the CLF and beyond. That includes a number of leaders in the Queen Street Group whose work in education has been recognised over the years, and I feel fortunate to have them as colleagues.

“I am extremely grateful for this honour and look forward to sharing the news with colleagues and sharing the experience with my family, whose support I never take for granted.”

Pupils at Evergreen Primary Academy were delighted by a very special festive visitor in the run-up to their Christmas break.

None other than Father Christmas made a magical flying visit to the academy, leaving his hardworking elves to continue their important tasks back in snowy Lapland. With his sleigh and reindeer safely parked on the academy roof, excitement and joy filled the school as pupils welcomed their unexpected guest.

The children eagerly asked Father Christmas questions about life in Lapland and his nine reindeer, listening with fascination to his stories.

They were especially thrilled to learn that they had all made it onto his ‘nice list’ and were lucky enough to receive a Christmas gift from him.

Pupils impressed Father Christmas with their excellent manners, remembering to say thank you and promising to continue being kind and well behaved.

They also proudly shared the academy’s values, demonstrating how they live them both at school and at home.

Father Christmas left the building spreading festive cheer, wonder, and magical memories that will last long beyond the season.

A spokesperson for the academy said: “It was a truly magical experience for our pupils and a wonderful way to celebrate the festive season.

“The visit captured the spirit of Christmas and reflected the kindness, respect, and values our children show every day.”

‘Strength, imagination and warmth’ brought to life a unique Lamplighters Parade staged in Bristol and attended by the creative children of Summerhill Academy.

The Lamplighters Parade is a large-scale community lantern parade, primarily known for the annual Church Road Lantern Parade in Bristol organised by the non-profit Lamplighter Arts CIC.

The event brings the community together during the dark winter months with hundreds of handmade lanterns lighting the way.

The event featured hundreds of handmade lanterns which made their way up Church Road and through St George’s Park to the lively sound of a brass band on a dark wintery night.

Parents proudly carried the beautifully crafted deer lanterns, created after weeks of hard work by pupils. Their enthusiasm, creativity, and community spirit truly lit up the evening.

School leaders said they felt proud of pupils and thanked families for their continued support.

A spokesperson said: “Events like the Lamplighters Parade show the strength, imagination, and warmth of our community.

“Watching our pupils’ lanterns shine alongside those of families and neighbours was a wonderful reminder of what we can create when we come together.”