Students from Tewkesbury Academy recently took part in the CyberFirst south west AI Symposium, the first event in a new series launched by CyberFirst south west.

The symposium took place at SGS Berkeley Green UTC and brought together schools, universities, and industry experts to explore the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence.

During the visit, students attended fascinating talks from leading institutions and organisations, including the University of Gloucestershire on Cyber Security in Medical Implants, the University of the West of England on AI in Cyber Defence, and Gate One, who explored innovative uses of AI in sport, homework, and policing.

In the afternoon, students took part in a range of interactive workshops delivered by industry partners.

Activities included spotting and generating AI images, building and programming attachments for AI-powered LEGO robots, and learning how police forces are using AI technology to help solve crimes.

Students participated enthusiastically throughout the day and left the event inspired, with fresh ideas about the potential applications of AI and career pathways that may not even exist yet. They were a real credit to Tewkesbury Academy.

Tom Lakin, Lead Teacher in Computing and IT, said: “It was fantastic to see our students so engaged with the possibilities of AI.

“Events like this help them understand not only how technology shapes our world today but also how they can be part of creating the innovations of tomorrow.”

Winterstoke Hundred Academy recently hosted the Cabot Learning Federation (CLF) Dodgeball Festival at its Beaufighter Road site, welcoming five schools to a day of fun, inclusive sport.

The festival was designed to reward pupils who enjoy sport and work hard in PE, even if they don’t usually represent their school in competitive matches.

Each school sent a team of 10 pupils, five boys and five girls to take part in the event. The participating schools were Monkton Wood Academy, City Academy Bristol, John Cabot Academy, Broad Oak Academy, and Winterstoke Hundred Academy.

Monkton Wood Academy emerged as the overall winners of the festival.

Behaviour from all schools was exemplary, with students thoroughly enjoying the games and fully participating in the action.

Sixth Form students from Winterstoke Hundred Academy studying the BTEC Level 3 Sport course played an essential role in setting up and officiating the matches, giving them a valuable opportunity to develop their leadership skills.

Luke Rivers, Head of PE at Winterstoke Hundred Academy, said: “This festival was a fantastic opportunity for pupils to enjoy sport in a fun and inclusive environment.

“It was great to see so many young people giving their all, supporting each other, and embracing the spirit of the games.

“Our sixth form students also did an excellent job in helping run the event, demonstrating great leadership and teamwork skills.”

As historians for the day, Years 3 and 4 pupils from Uphill Village Academy embarked on an exciting journey back to the Viking and Anglo-Saxon periods.

Pupils explored fascinating artefacts, learned about daily life during the era, discovered why Vikings came to England, and even dressed up in authentic clothing from the time.

Sam Hodder, Principal of Uphill Village Academy, said: “It was wonderful to see our pupils so engaged and excited about history.

“Experiencing the Viking and Anglo-Saxon periods firsthand really brings their learning to life and sparks curiosity about the past. A fabulous time was had by all.”

Preston Chorley, a Year 7 student at Monkton Wood Academy, has claimed victory at the Weston Beach Race 2025.

The event featured around 60 boys and girls from his age group, all competing on 65cc bikes. In a fiercely competitive race, Preston led for most of the event and ultimately crossed the finish line with an impressive lead of over a minute.

Preston has been riding since the age of five and trains 3–4 times a week, typically on Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

He is preparing for his next race, the final round of the MXGB Youth British Championship at Culham Moto Parc in Oxford, scheduled for 11–12 October 2025.

This will be his last race on a 65cc bike before moving up to the 85cc class in 2026.

Racing nationwide most weekends from February/March through October, Preston also trains during the winter at Taunton Rugby Club, focusing on strength training with injury-prevention exercises in the gym and swimming once a week.

Preston said: “I’m extremely happy to have won, it’s a tough race but I’m already looking forward to the 85 Race next year.”

A spokesperson for Monkton Wood Academy added: “Preston’s determination and talent are truly inspiring.

“His success at the Weston Beach Race is a fantastic achievement, and we’re thrilled to celebrate his hard work and dedication.”

Pupils at Minerva Primary Academy had a very special slippery visitor this week – a royal python named ‘Jinga’.

The children enjoyed a fascinating presentation on how to care for and look after pet snakes.

Royal pythons, also known as ball pythons, are non-venomous constrictors from Africa, celebrated for their gentle nature, calm temperament, and habit of curling into a ball when feeling threatened.

The visit was a fantastic opportunity for pupils to engage with a live animal and develop their oracy skills by asking relevant and insightful questions.

A spokesperson for Minerva Primary Academy said: “Experiences like this bring learning to life.

“Our pupils loved meeting Jinga and asking thoughtful questions, it’s a brilliant way to spark curiosity about the natural world and the responsibilities of caring for animals.”

Students who have previously struggled in school can reengage with their education, build strong relationships with staff and take confident steps into adulthood thanks to Brook Academy in Gloucestershire – a school Ofsted has praised as ‘Good’ in all areas.

Brook earned the glowing report after welcoming a team of inspectors to its Brockworth site for the first time since it opened in 2022.

The Ofsted team spent two days meeting leaders from the school and its parent trust the Cabot Learning Federation, speaking with parents and pupils, and observing lessons and student work.

Afterwards, they praised Brook in a number of areas, while recording formal ratings of ‘Good’ in all four inspection areas; personal development, leadership, behaviour and attitudes, and the quality of education it provides.

Inspectors highlighted the calm and positive culture staff create to help students re-engage with their education after finding lessons difficult in other schools.

In her report, lead inspector Marie Thomas said: “Before joining Brook Academy, pupils may have experienced long or repeated absences from education.

“The school’s curriculum is designed to help pupils overcome barriers to engagement. It aims to build their confidence, resilience, and positive learning behaviours. This involves working with pupils to create various opportunities to achieve and celebrate their personal and academic successes.

“Pupils are at the centre of the school’s decision-making. Over time, positive working relationships based on trust and respect are built between staff and pupils. This helps create a calm school environment where most pupils feel safe.”

The report went on to praise Brook in a number of key areas.

On curriculum, Ofsted said: “The school and trust share the ambition that Brook Academy’s pupils achieve well, both personally and academically.

“The curriculum intent is clear and provides pupils with regular opportunities to revisit and build on what they have learned before. The curriculum’s focus on building pupils’ confidence, resilience and positive learning behaviours means they are taught the steps they need to succeed.

On student outcomes, it said: “A well-developed careers programme helps pupils to make informed choices about their post-16 education, employment and training options. Before they move on, pupils attain nationally recognised qualifications and essential life skills such as cooking.”

On personal development, the report said: “Pupils look forward to spending time with their friends at school. They value and enjoy the school’s enrichment experiences, such as boxing, music and residential trips. These opportunities help pupils to explore and develop new talents and interests. The school’s focus on developing pupils’ mental and physical health and improving their self-esteem prepares them well for adulthood.”

And on helping students to re-engage with school life, inspectors said: “The school adapts its work to encourage and support regular attendance, including work with appropriate external agencies. For most pupils, this work is effective. With support, most pupils successfully transition into full-time education after their previously disjointed education experience.”

Ofsted additionally praised Brook’s ‘effective’ safeguarding and ‘positive’ behaviour management approach, as well as the support offered for reading, speech and language development, and effectiveness of lessons in personal, social, health and economic education.

Ofsted’s findings have been welcomed by leaders within both Brook Academy and the Cabot Learning Federation, as well at Gloucestershire County Council.

Kay Sarpong, Principal of Brook Academy, said:

“We welcome these hugely positive findings from Ofsted as confirmation of our journey towards finding a successful plan and school outcome for every child at Brook Academy.

“It is also testament to all stakeholders within our school community for the trust they put in us when the CLF took over the school in 2023, and all the work put in by staff and students to create a school for us all to be proud of.

“We have definitely landed as a school and as a community, but this is not the end of our ambitions, as we recognise the best is yet to come.”

Sally Apps, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Cabot Learning Federation, said:

“We are delighted for the Brook Academy community that the inspectorate were able to recognise their excellent work.

“In a school where children are able to build friendships and receive the kind of support that helps them to achieve their ambitions, it is reassuring to know that the work undertaken by their teachers, support colleagues, families and partner organisations has been validated by external experts.

“It is an exciting place to go to school and I am looking forward to learning of even more success on behalf of this special community over time.”

And in a letter congratulating Brook Academy on its Ofsted outcome, Ann James, Director of Children’s Services at Gloucestershire County Council, said:

“It was a pleasure to read how the school’s curriculum design is supporting pupils to overcome barriers to engagement.

“Its ambition to build pupils’ confidence, resilience, and positive learning behaviours is clearly making a positive difference to pupils’ lives, creating a range of opportunities to achieve and celebrate pupils’ personal and academic successes.”

Picture caption: Brook Academy Principal Kay Sarpong (left) is joined by members of Brook Academy’s student council in celebrating the school’s positive Ofsted outcome.