With the cost of living crisis not getting easier for families, our academies across our Federation are doing what they can to help out. Fiona Lambdin social affairs correspondent for BBC Points West visited Evergreen Primary Academy to find out how this works in practice.

Summerhill pupils pictured with His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant in Bristol, Peaches Golding.

Students from Bristol’s Summerhill Academy came face to face with some of their literary heroes this week, before meeting a surprise royal visitor – newly-crowned Queen Camilla.

As part of ongoing work to improve reading provision across the school, Summerhill Academy has been working with the National Literacy Trust to provide training and resources for the school library.

The programme saw children from Summerhill invited to a special celebration event in Bristol on Thursday. The children engaged with texts and created their own illustrations for famous books by Malorie Blackman OBE (Children’s Laureate 2013-2015) and Cressida Cowell (author of How to Train a Dragon).

Little did they know that the authors themselves were in attendance to lend a hand.

But an even bigger surprise lay ahead to add to the Summerhill pupils’ amazing day.

The teachers accompanying them had been given last-minute training on the correct etiquette to greet a member of the royal family. After much anticipation, Her Majesty Queen Camilla, patron of the National Literacy Trust, also arrived and spoke to teachers and children about their experiences of reading and libraries.

Summerhill Vice Principal, Kirsty McLeod-Hughes, who attended the event, said: “As always, I couldn’t have been more proud of our fabulous Summerhill children for the way they represented our community during the event.

“They spoke with respect and confidence and put to good use all of the skills that we teach them every day in school.”

Also in attendance was His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant in Bristol, Peaches Golding, who has visited Summerhill a number of times, and commented on how well the children presented themselves to the Queen.

Due to security considerations, parents weren’t able to be informed who the special guest was going to be in advance and couldn’t believe it when their children arrived back and informed them! An amazing day was had by all involved.

More than 200 colleagues from across the Cabot Learning Federation took on a series of challenges this week to raise money in support of the trust’s most vulnerable pupils.

Staff and teachers from the trust’s 22 schools completed the CLF’s annual Big Run and Big Walk events on Sunday.

More than 60 team members put months of preparation and training to good use by tackling running events, with groups competing in the 10k and half marathon at the Great Bristol Run, and others completing the scenic 13 miles of the Weston Super Half.

Meanwhile, some 140 walkers took a trip to Wales to climb Pen y Fan in the Brecon Beacons, a four-mile walk and 2,906ft ascent amid stunning scenery.

Behind each of these challenges was an important cause, as the runners and walkers combined to raise money for a trust initiative to support disadvantaged students.

The CLF Big Trip is an action-packed summer adventure in Abergavenny for 72 of the trust’s most vulnerable pupils.

It’s an opportunity for pupils to enjoy a range of outdoor activities they have not previously experienced – all paid for by the efforts of the CLF team.

CLF Executive Principal Kate Richardson, who leads the trust’s Big Events, said: “We were thrilled to see a record number of people taking part in the CLF’s Big Walk and Big Run this year, which is testament to the wonderful spirit and camaraderie within our trust.

“The efforts of our runners and walkers will help to provide a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience for dozens of our most vulnerable students this summer.

“So huge congratulations to all those who made it to the finish line in Bristol or Weston, or to the top of Pen y Fan. It was a terrific achievement, and we are immensely proud of every one of them.”

Exam season is back, which is an extremely stressful time for students. But what can be done to ease that stress? ITV West Country News went to Bristol Metropolitan Academy to find more.

Bristol Metropolitan Academy’s under 16 girls basketball team are officially second best in the country.

With more 40 Bristol Met students in the crowd for support, the 12-girl squad fiercely fought in a very tight final, before being narrowly beaten by Trinity High School in the Dynamik National Schools Competition 48-78. The girls battled bravely and tirelessly but it wasn’t to be on this occasion.

It had been no mean feat getting to the final, with 25-30 teams in the competition. The girls worked exceptionally hard in preparing for the contest, training three times a week. both in and out of the academy.

Hannah Wallace, PE teacher and team coach, said: “I feel proud of the girls for reaching the National Finals for the second year in a row. After winning the U14 competition last year, we went into the U16 league a year young (or in the case of Esma Missaoui, three years young!) and it was always going to be a tough ask to win back-to-back championships.

“Being one of the last two teams in the country was a huge success in itself and gave our students an amazing opportunity to play on the home court of British basketball. The final was a tough match up for us, with the opposition getting an early lead and some of our key players getting into foul trouble. Angel Whyte was the standout player for Met, scoring 21 points and demonstrating an outstanding mentality and resilience throughout the game.

“We will look to go again next year and hope to claim back the national title. Thank you to the staff at Bristol Met, especially the PE department, without whom it would not have been possible to reach the final.”

Students and pupils from all years at King’s Oak Academy (KOA) took part in a British Values-themed day to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III. Students were encouraged to wear red, white, or blue clothing, and joined lessons about British values and participated in Big Help Out activities.

Joining the celebration were five members of King’s Oak alumni who shared their stories about being a pupil at the school during Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation 50 years ago. At that time in 1953 a picture of all pupils was taken, and this photo was be recreated using students and pupils who attend the academy at present.

School leaders offered a big thank you to Siston Parish Council, after it presented students and pupils with their own coronation medal to treasure. Towards the end of the day, thanks to Tesco, high tea was served to KOA alumni and a group of students who compare notes on what school was like then compared to now.

King’s Oak Academy Principal Katherine Ogden said: “As a community school, it was lovely to be able to see children of all ages come together to mark this significant moment in history, develop a deeper understanding of our British values and connect with members of our school alumni.  We particularly enjoyed hearing our alumni’s stories about their time when they were students at King’s Oak and how their families came together to watch the Queen’s Coronation in 1953.”