Year 6 pupils at Herons’ Moor Academy were treated to an engaging and informative visit from HSBC bank staff, who delivered a session focused on managing online spending, particularly while playing digital games.

The workshop aimed to raise awareness among pupils about the importance of keeping track of online purchases and understanding how in-game spending can affect real-world finances.

HSBC representatives also emphasised the significance of online safety, including not sharing personal information and creating secure passwords.

A spokesperson for the academy said: “We are incredibly grateful to HSBC for taking the time to educate our pupils on such vital life skills.

“Teaching pupils how to manage money wisely and stay safe online is more important than ever. The session was informative, interactive, and very well received by our Year 6 pupils.”

Reception pupils at Evergreen Primary Academy had a buzzing time learning all about why bees are so important and how they help our environment.

The engaging session was held to mark World Bee Day, which is celebrated annually on 20 May to raise awareness about the essential role of bees and other pollinators, the threats they face, and their crucial contribution to sustainable development. The day was established by the United Nations.

As part of the learning experience, pupils were excited to spot real honey bees in action, pollinating flowers right in their own playground.

A school spokesperson said: “Pupils were fascinated to learn about the role bees play in keeping our ecosystems healthy.

“Seeing bees at work in our school garden really brought the lesson to life.

“It’s vital that we teach the next generation how to care for our planet, and understanding pollinators is a great place to start.”

The inaugural Big Kick Off football tournament launched with flair and excitement at John Cabot Academy, bringing together young athletes from across the Cabot Learning Federation (CLF) for a dynamic five-a-side competition that celebrated sportsmanship, teamwork, and skill.

Organised and delivered by CLF Post-16 students as part of their academic coursework, the event showcased not only sporting talent but also student leadership, event management, and collaboration.

The tournament featured two main competitions: a one for primary school teams and the other for secondary schools.

Adding to the thrill of the event, Ephraim Yeboah, professional footballer with Bristol City FC, made a special appearance to support the event and inspire the next generation of players with his words of encouragement and presence on the day.

As a former Summerhill Academy pupil, Ephraim’s encouragement would have been especially powerful for the young players from around the CLF.

Once the action got underway, the pitch came alive with energy as mixed teams of boys and girls from Frome Vale Academy, Summerhill Academy, and Minerva Academy competed with enthusiasm and spirit.

After a series of closely-fought matches, Minerva Academy emerged victorious in a nail-biting final, defeating Summerhill Academy with a score of 1-0.

The afternoon session featured teams from John Cabot Academy, Hanham Woods Academy, Bristol Brunel Academy, and King’s Oak Academy in an intense battle for the secondary title. It was Hanham Woods Academy who clinched the championship, with John Cabot Academy finishing runners up in a round robin format.

In line with the CLF’s core HEART values (High Expectations, Equity, All Children, Resilience and Togetherness), a special HEART Award was presented to the schools that best demonstrated fair play, sportsmanship, and camaraderie throughout the day. The award was proudly received by Frome Vale Academy (primary) and Bristol Brunel Academy (secondary).

Martin Horsell, PE teacher at John Cabot Academy, said: “It was fantastic to see so many young people coming together and showing such passion and respect both on and off the pitch.

“The atmosphere was brilliant and the students who organised the event did an outstanding job. This is what sport is all about – community, challenge, and celebration.”

A culture of ‘mutual trust’ and pupils who exemplify school values of ‘respect, kindness, perseverance and honesty’ have seen The Redstart Primary School maintain the standards which earned it a ‘Good’ rating from Ofsted, according to inspectors.

A team from the education watchdog spent two days assessing the Chard school, during which time they met leaders from the school and its parent trust, spoke with parents and pupils, and carried out a ‘deep dive’ into a number of subject areas.

Although the visit was an ungraded inspection, Ofsted concluded Redstart has ‘taken effective action’ to maintain the standards which earned the school a ‘Good’ rating previously.

Inspectors heaped praise upon the school’s ‘high expectations’ and ‘ambitious curriculum’, as well as the positive behaviour of students and the ‘strong’ opportunities for personal development.

In his report, lead inspector James Gentile said: “The Redstart Primary School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.

“Pupils across the school consistently exemplify the values of the ‘Redstart way’: respect, kindness, perseverance and honesty.

“Pupils behave well and have a strong commitment to learning. The high expectations set by school leaders and staff are embraced by pupils, who respond positively and achieve well.”

The report went on to praise Redstart’s provision in a number of key areas.

On pupils’ wellbeing, Ofsted said: “Relationships between pupils and staff are characterised by mutual trust and respect. Pupils report that they feel confident in seeking support from the safeguarding team. They also use the worry boxes in classrooms if they have any concerns. Pupils are assured that their worries will be taken seriously by staff.”

On curriculum and learning, it said: “The school offers an ambitious curriculum that is well structured, enabling pupils to learn skills and build knowledge progressively.

“School leaders are reflective and consistently seek ways to enhance the curriculum design. Staff possess strong subject knowledge. This ensures that the delivery of the curriculum aligns with the high expectations set by leaders. As a result, pupils achieve well.”

On SEND provision, the report said: “Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) access the same highquality curriculum as their peers.

“Highly-trained staff support pupils with SEND and identify their specific needs. Additionally, the school collaborates well with external agencies when specialist support is required. Consequently, pupils with SEND receive strong support and achieve well.”

And on pupil development, it said: “The provision for pupils’ personal development is a strength of the school. Pupils have a wealth of opportunities to build confidence and character. For example, all Year 6 pupils take on roles of responsibility such as house captains, librarians or science ambassadors.

“Older pupils know they are role models to younger peers. They take these roles seriously and proudly support younger pupils.”

Inspectors offered further praise for Redstart’s ‘effective’ safeguarding, the ‘positive and mutually respectful relationships’ which ensure behaviour and attendance are good, and the ‘enriching experiences’ Redstart provides through its strong community links.

Ofsted’s findings have been welcomed by leaders at The Redstart Primary School, and its parent trust The Cabot Learning Federation.

Rebecca Collins, Principal at The Redstart Primary School, said:

“I am so proud of the work my team have put in to ensure that Redstart remains a great place to both work and learn. The energy and commitment invested by the staff at Redstart to ensure our children are well supported and successful every day is wonderful and I am delighted to be a part of this fabulous team.”

Steve Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of the Cabot Learning Federation, said:

“Everyone in the Cabot Learning Federation is delighted with the news that inspectors confirmed Redstart continues to offer such a strong educational provision to children in Chard. Congratulations to Rebecca Collins and all of our colleagues at the school; a great team doing their best to serve the local community.”

Pupils and staff from Lansdown Park Academy recently took part in an unforgettable trip to an outdoor dry ski slope – a first-time experience for many pupils.

The trip was generously funded by the Ellis Genge Fund, which was established by the Bristol Bears and England International prop and which has pledged to support opportunities for young people at the school.

The fund is dedicated to creating equal opportunities for children in sport, while providing vital support, resources, and hope for the next generation of Bristolians.

The exciting day out gave pupils the chance to experience activities such as sledging, skiing and snowboarding, building their confidence, teamwork, and enthusiasm for physical activity.

A spokesperson for Lansdown Park Academy said: “This was an amazing opportunity for our pupils, many of whom had never experienced anything like this before.

“We’re incredibly grateful to Ellis Genge for the continued support and commitment to breaking down barriers in sport.

“The smiles on our pupils faces said it all – it was a day they will never forget.”

Bristol Metropolitan Academy (BMA) has been recognised as one of the top-performing schools in the city, based on the latest Progress 8 data from the UK government.

Progress 8 is a key performance measure used by the UK Department for Education. It captures the progress students make from the end of primary school (Key Stage 2) to the end of secondary school (Key Stage 4).

The measure compares students’ actual GCSE outcomes with the outcomes predicted based on their prior academic achievement, providing a fair and robust assessment of the value schools add to each student’s education.

BMA achieved an impressive Progress 8 score of 0.54, placing it well above average and highlighting the academy’s strong track record in helping students make exceptional progress during their secondary education.

Kris Bridgeman, Principal of Bristol Metropolitan Academy, said: “We are incredibly proud of this result, which reflects the dedication and hard work of our students, staff, and wider school community.

“A Progress 8 score of 0.54 shows that our students are not just meeting expectations but exceeding them.

“This achievement is a testament to our commitment to providing an inclusive, high-quality education that supports every young person to thrive and reach their full potential.”