Thirteen students from Tewkesbury Academy have successfully completed an exciting skatepark graffiti mural project, transforming a community space while developing valuable creative skills.

Working alongside professional graffiti artist Nathan from Jaksta Art, students had the opportunity to take part in a real-life community arts project from concept to completion.

Throughout the project, they gained hands-on experience designing and creating a large-scale mural, learning how to use spray paints safely and effectively while exploring a range of graffiti and street art techniques.

The students demonstrated exceptional enthusiasm, creativity and commitment throughout the week, taking great pride in their work and embracing the opportunity to learn from an experienced professional artist.

The finished mural is a vibrant addition to the skate park and a lasting legacy that the students, and the wider community, can enjoy for years to come.

Tewkesbury Academy would like to extend its sincere thanks to Nathan from Jaksta Art for his expertise, patience and support throughout the project. The academy would also like to thank Tewkesbury Parish Council for funding the initiative and making this valuable opportunity possible.

Kate Murtagh, Associate Assistant Principal, said: “This project has been a fantastic opportunity for our students to express their creativity, develop new artistic skills and contribute positively to their local community.

“It has been wonderful to see their confidence grow throughout the week as they worked alongside a professional artist and brought their ideas to life.

“The finished mural is something they should all be incredibly proud of, and it will serve as a lasting reminder of what can be achieved through teamwork, creativity and community partnership.

“Congratulations to all of the students involved for their hard work, dedication and outstanding achievement. Their artwork has left a lasting mark on the skate park and created something that the whole community can be proud of.”

Pic: The Lord Mayor of Bristol Councillor Yassin Mohamud visited Summerhill Academy to look at the work they have accomplished to secure the School of Sanctuary Award.

 Summerhill Academy’s commitment to creating a welcoming, inclusive and supportive environment for all has seen it rewarded with a School of Sanctuary Award.

School of Sanctuary Awards recognise nurseries, primary schools and secondary schools that go above and beyond to foster safe, welcoming and inclusive environments for asylum-seeking and refugee families.

It is coordinated by City of Sanctuary UK and aims to challenge hostile rhetoric through education, empathy and community action.

Representatives from Summerhill will be invited to an official School of Sanctuary Award ceremony at We the Curious to formally receive the award from the Lord Mayor.

Summerhill leaders said the school team is incredibly proud of this achievement and thanked pupils, staff, families and wider community for their support in securing School of Sanctuary status.

Louise Dunbar, Designated Safeguarding Lead, said: “We are extremely proud to have been recognised as a School of Sanctuary.

“This award reflects the compassion, understanding and sense of belonging that our whole school community works hard to promote every day.

“We believe every child deserves to feel safe, valued and welcome, and we are committed to continuing to celebrate diversity and support families from all backgrounds.”

A Bristol PE lead, whose work to develop a thriving school sporting culture has helped establish one of the most successful school basketball programmes in the country, has been awarded an MBE in the King’s 2026 Birthday Honours List.

Tom Hooper, Head of PE at Bristol Metropolitan Academy, has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of his outstanding services to education.

Tom, who has taught at BMA for15 years and previously spent 18 months at Culverhay/Bath Community Academy, was cited for his exceptional leadership, innovation, and sustained impact on sport and education at Bristol Metropolitan Academy.

Through his leadership, dedication and commitment to improving opportunities for young people, he has inspired countless students to achieve their potential both inside and outside the classroom.

Under his leadership, Bristol Metropolitan Academy has achieved multiple national titles in basketball, alongside national success in cheerleading, fencing, and football, creating a culture where excellence is expected and celebrated.

Beyond sporting achievements, Tom has overseen consistently strong outcomes in GCSE PE and BTEC Sport, ensuring students leave with both academic qualifications and the personal skills needed for future success.

His commitment to developing young people has seen more than a dozen students progress to international honours, secure scholarship opportunities in the United States, and move into professional sport.

Equally important has been his work in creating pathways for all students, regardless of ability, to engage in physical activity and experience the benefits of sport.

A key feature of Tom’s leadership has been his ability to build meaningful partnerships with local sports clubs and community organisations, bringing external expertise and opportunities directly into the academy.

These partnerships have significantly increased participation levels, strengthened community engagement, and provided students with access to coaching, competition, and development opportunities that extend beyond the school environment.

Through a combination of strategic vision, outstanding educational leadership, and a relentless commitment to improving life chances for young people, Tom has transformed sport at Bristol Metropolitan Academy and delivered a lasting legacy that exemplifies the values and impact recognised through the award of an MBA.

On receiving the award, Tom said: “I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive this award. Any success I have achieved has only been possible because of the incredible students, colleagues, families and wider community I have had the privilege to work alongside throughout my career.

“This recognition reflects the collective effort of so many people who are committed to helping young people thrive and achieve their full potential.”

Students from Lime Hills Academy have been making waves in Bristol this term, taking part in an exciting water sports activity programme at the city’s iconic Floating Harbour.

The programme offered pupils the opportunity to engage in a range of new and adventurous water-based experiences, helping them to step outside their comfort zones and build confidence on the water. From their first moments on the harbour, students demonstrated enthusiasm, resilience, and a willingness to try something new.

Throughout the sessions, a strong emphasis was placed on teamwork and communication. Students worked collaboratively to navigate challenges, support one another, and develop essential life skills. The experience not only enhanced their physical confidence but also contributed significantly to their personal and social development.

This initiative forms a vital part of Lime Hills Academy’s wider personal development offer, ensuring that students benefit from enriching opportunities beyond the classroom that promote independence, self-belief, and positive relationships.

Deputy Principal Steve O’Callaghan praised the cohort for their efforts. He said: “I am incredibly proud of the courage and teamwork our students have shown during these sessions at the Floating Harbour.

“It’s been fantastic to see them embrace new challenges and grow in confidence with every activity. We’re excited to see how they continue to develop in future sessions.”

Lime Hills Academy remains committed to providing meaningful, aspirational experiences that support its ethos of excellent inclusion and high expectations, ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive.

A former Arsenal FC Community Outreach Officer who spent over a decade developing innovative projects that combined football and education visited City Academy to inspire and work with Year 8 students.

Steve Eadon, who now runs his own business, delivered a motivational talk on the importance of languages in football before leading a 50-minute football training session conducted entirely in Spanish.

During his time at Arsenal, Steve managed the award-winning Arsenal Double Club modern languages project, which used football as a tool to inspire young people to learn new languages. He worked with internationally renowned players, including conducting interviews with Mesut Özil in German and leading French lessons with the help of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. His experiences working around the world, including in Barbados and Brazil, have given him unique insights into the power of language in shaping careers.

Steve’s talk focused on the advantages of learning a second language, particularly in industries such as sport, travel and business. He encouraged students to persevere with their language studies, highlighting how multilingualism can open doors to exciting global careers, from football management and player care to international business and sponsorship.

The session was highly engaging, with students actively participating throughout. Following the talk, a Q&A session gave students the opportunity to ask Steve about his career, experiences and advice for the future.

Steve’s message was clear: learning a language can provide a unique advantage in life and work. His visit left students feeling motivated to continue their studies and explore new possibilities for their futures.

Emanuele Lumini, Subject Leader for Modern Foreign Languages, said: “Steve’s visit was a fantastic opportunity for our students to see first-hand how languages can create exciting opportunities beyond the classroom.

“His experiences working with elite footballers and international organisations brought language learning to life in a way that was both engaging and inspiring. The students were captivated by his story and thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of taking part in a football session delivered entirely in Spanish.

“We are incredibly grateful for his time and expertise.”