The smash hit West End musical and 2003 Jack Black movie School of Rock was performed by a talented cast of students at Bristol Brunel Academy.

Staged across three sell-out shows, the successful production saw a cast and crew of more than 30 students from Years 7-11 taking part.

School of Rock tells the story of the overly enthusiastic guitarist Dewey Finn (Jack Black) who gets thrown out of his bar band and finds himself in desperate need of work. Posing as a substitute music teacher at an elite private elementary school, he exposes his students to the hard rock gods he idolises and emulates – much to the consternation of the uptight principal. As he gets his privileged and precocious charges in touch with their inner rock ‘n’ roll animals, he imagines redemption at a local battle of the bands.

Students – including a four-piece live band – have been immersed in rehearsals since September, giving up their own time every Monday to hone the production. The band performed admirably in the bigger chorus numbers in the show and sounded amazing.

Laura Harry, Curriculum Leader of Drama, Caitlin Godwin, teacher of Drama and Music, and Drew Salida, Curriculum Leader of Music, who jointly directed and produced this show, said:

“We rehearsed a musical version of A Christmas Carol, which was going to be performed in Christmas 2021, but unfortunately that had to be pulled literally days before the opening night due to Covid measures, so we’re so pleased our students finally have the opportunity to be back on stage for the first time since 2020.

“They have worked amazingly hard both front and backstage and we are immensely proud of what they have achieved.”

With the cost of living crisis getting worse, the rise in pupils attending breakfast clubs, and the academy having its own food bank for their families, BBC Points West visited King’s Oak Academy. Watch this to find out more.

Bristol Metropolitan Academy’s cheerleading team Hurricanes have just been crowned national champions in their division at the national finals. Not only that, another team from Bristol Metropolitan Academy, Tornados came second in their division missing out on the top spot by only three points. BBC Points West went along to find out more. (Lunchtime & Evening News)

Bristol Metropolitan Academy’s cheerleading team Hurricanes have just been crowned national champions in their division at the national finals. Not only that, another team from Bristol Metropolitan Academy, Tornados came second in their division missing out on the top spot by only three points. What makes this even more remarkable the teams were only formed last October.

This hotly-contested event staged at the Resorts World Arena Birmingham, saw numerous teams from all over the UK compete to become the UK number one team.

Involving around 30 students from Years 7-10, the contest saw some Bristol Met students compete in both teams. And the title was reward for a tough training regime which sees them practice twice a week in their own time after school. The teams will now go on to compete in the European Championships in the summer.

The teams won banners which will be displayed on a wall at the academy to promote their achievements.

Emily Pine-Smith, PE Teacher and Tornados Coach, said: “This is the first time I have coached a team, so to win the title at the first time of asking is amazing. As a cheerleader myself starting at university, I wanted to give them the opportunity I never had in school. When the girls compete in their teams it really gives them a sense of belonging and it is great for the age ranges to mix and learn new skills.”