Year 9 students at Tewkesbury Academy recently took part in an exciting Mission to Mars STEM workshop delivered by engineers from Airbus.

As the largest commercial aerospace company in the world, and the UK’s largest space company, Airbus is at the forefront of European commercial and space innovation.  Airbus in Stevenage has developed Europe’s first interplanetary rover vehicle for the European Space Agency, the Rosalind Franklin ExoMars Rover, which is expected to launch in 2029.

The event was made possible with the support of Tewkesbury MP Cameron Thomas, who helped arrange this fantastic opportunity for students.

Kate Murtagh, Associate Assistant Principal, said, “As you can see from the photos, the students thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Working in teams, they took on the roles of both scientists and engineers, exploring Mars in search of alien life and operating a model Mars rover.

“The activities challenged students to communicate effectively, solve problems, and work collaboratively to complete their mission. The enthusiasm, teamwork and professionalism shown by all students was outstanding, and they were a real credit to the school.

“We are incredibly proud of how they embraced the challenge and engaged with real-world STEM applications.”

Well done to our future scientists and engineers from Year 9.

Students from Cabot Learning Federation (CLF) Post 16 have taken part in a performance at the iconic Bristol Old Vic Theatre as part of the prestigious National Theatre Connections Festival, an annual youth theatre celebration featuring new plays commissioned for young people aged 13–19.

The students performed The Animals by Sean Buckley, a thought-provoking piece centred on student teacher Sam, who arrives at Redhill Youth Custody Secure Unit with hopes of enriching the lives of its residents by introducing them to philosophy.

The play explored themes of trust, transformation, and the power of ideas in challenging environments.

Eleven students from CLF Post 16 took part in the production, contributing both on stage as performers and behind the scenes in creative design roles.

Their work has involved developing the set, costumes, and visual storytelling elements that bring the world of the play to life.

The production was performed as a work-in-progress at John Cabot Academy, where it was reviewed by a National Theatre director from the Connections Festival.

The feedback received helped the students refine and strengthen the performance ahead of their appearance at Bristol Old Vic in March.

Anna Shaw, Teacher of English and Drama, said: “This has been an incredible journey for our students. They have shown real creativity, commitment, and resilience throughout the process.

“To perform at Bristol Old Vic as part of National Theatre Connections is a fantastic opportunity, and we are extremely proud of how they have embraced both the challenges and the collaborative nature of theatre-making.

“It’s been inspiring to see them grow in confidence and take real ownership of the production.”

In the last week of term, King’s Oak Academy was delighted to welcome three Spanish teachers from Barcelona as part of an ongoing partnership with White House Guardians, an international student programme that enables young people from around the world to experience life and education in England while developing their English language skills.

This year has seen King’s Oak host students from Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Brazil.

The visit provided an excellent opportunity for the guests to gain a deeper understanding of the English education system and to see firsthand the experience students enjoy while studying at King’s Oak Academy. King’s Oak currently hosts a number of students from the visitors’ school community, making the visit particularly meaningful for everyone involved.

During their time at the academy, the teachers visited a range of lessons and spent time exploring the school environment. They were incredibly impressed by what they saw, commenting on the friendly, kind, caring and respectful nature of the students they met throughout the day.

They also praised the positive atmosphere within classrooms, highlighting the supportive relationships between staff and students and the productive learning environments they observed.

One of the most memorable aspects of the visit was hearing how highly the visitors spoke of the sense of community that exists across King’s Oak Academy. They remarked on how welcome they felt and how evident it was that students take pride in their school and in supporting one another.

To conclude the visit, the Spanish students currently studying at King’s Oak worked together to create a video interview showcasing life at the academy. This will be shared with students and staff back in Barcelona, providing a wonderful insight into their experiences and helping to strengthen the connection between the two educational communities.

Andy Marshall-Aherne, Assistant Principal, said: “The visit was a fantastic example of the opportunities created through our partnership with White House Guardians and demonstrated the value of international links for our students and our visiting students within education.

“We would like to thank our visitors for spending time with us and look forward to continuing to build these important international links in the future.

“It was a truly lovely community experience and one that all involved will remember fondly.”

Construction work has begun on a new special school for North Somerset, which is due to welcome its first students onsite in September 2027.

Lime Hills Academy is currently operated out of a temporary site in Nailsea and shared school space in Weston-super-Mare, but is developing its own purpose-built site at Langford.

Work is now under way on a school which will be run by the Cabot Learning Federation and developed in partnership with North Somerset Council the Department for Education (DfE) and Bowmer + Kirkland.

Once completed, the new school building will provide students with a modern, inclusive, and future-ready learning environment.

Lime Hills Academy will serve 65 pupils aged five to 16 (Years 1 to Year 11) with a primary diagnosis of social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

The academy will offer children across four key stages the opportunity to connect with and better understand themselves, their communities, and the wider world.

With a focus on creative arts, artisanship, and agriculture, children will discover their talents through an individualised curriculum designed to develop strengths and build supportive personal networks.

As a result, pupils graduating from Lime Hills Academy will be equipped to contribute positively to their communities, supported by an education that helps them understand themselves and their connection to the world around them.

The new development will include a multi-use games area (MUGA), sports field, libraries, art and design studio, music recording studio, and dedicated practice room, creating a rich and inspiring environment for learning and personal development.

Lis Jolley, Executive Principal for the Cabot Learning Federation, said: “Lime Hills Academy represents an exciting opportunity to create a nurturing and aspirational environment where every child feels seen, valued, and supported to succeed.

“Through a curriculum rooted in creativity, practical learning, and strong community connections, we are committed to helping young people develop confidence, resilience, and the skills they need to thrive both in education and in life.

“We are delighted to be working alongside North Somerset Council, the DfE and Bowmer + Kirkland to bring this vision to life for children and families across the region.”

Neil Pateman, Project Director for the Department for Education, said: “We are delighted to see construction now underway at Lime Hills Academy, marking an important milestone in expanding high-quality specialist school places for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

“This investment reflects our commitment to ensuring every pupil receives the support they need to thrive, in the right setting for them. We look forward to seeing the academy develop and to the positive difference it will make for pupils and their families.”

Cllr Catherine Gibbons, Deputy Leader of North Somerset Council and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Families, Skills and Lifelong Learning, said: “North Somerset has a growing need for school places that support children with social, emotional and mental health needs, so it’s fantastic to finally see the start of construction of the new Lime Hills Academy in Langford.

“These new, modern and purpose-built facilities include a range of unique and inclusive spaces where young people aged five to 16 can nurture their creativity and enjoy practical learning tailored specifically to their needs.

“When completed, the new school facilities will ensure that children with acute needs can continue their education within North Somerset. This is part of our strategy to ensure all children can attend a good school in their local area where they can learn, grow and develop.

“We look forward to continuing our work with CLF, the Department for Education, Willmott Dixon and Bowmer + Kirkland as we get everything ready for a 2027 opening.”

David Enever, Project Manager for Bowmer + Kirkland, said: “It was great to see the some of the students on site to mark the occasion. B+K look forward to delivering another key facility for the DfE and the school trust.”

Hans Price Academy is incredibly proud to share that Year 11 student, Freddie O’Connor, has been offered a two-year fully-funded scholarship with Cheltenham Town FC.

Freddie began playing football for several local junior clubs before joining Weston-super-Mare AFC, where he captained the side to become JPL NPC South West Champions.

On Sundays, he also represented grassroots team Brislington, winning the League twice, the League Cup once and the County Cup twice while remaining unbeaten.

He later moved on to North Somerset, where he won the JPL Premier South West League.

His performance in a 3-0 win over Gloucester caught the attention of a scout, leading to an exciting opportunity with Cheltenham Town.

Since then, Freddie has played against Wolves in a cup final in Birmingham, featured in a U18 PDL qualifier where Cheltenham beat Stockport 1-0, and scored against Bournemouth in a cup competition.

As part of the programme, Freddie will play U18 football for Cheltenham Town FC while also studying sport alongside his football development, supporting both his academic and athletic progression.

This is an outstanding achievement and a true reflection of Freddie’s dedication, resilience and talent. Everyone at Hans Price Academy congratulates Freddie and wishes him every success as he embarks on this exciting next chapter in his football career.

A spokesperson for the academy said: “Freddie’s achievement is a fantastic example of what can be accomplished through hard work, determination and commitment.

“He has shown tremendous dedication both on and off the pitch, and we are incredibly proud to see him earn this opportunity with Cheltenham Town FC.

“We look forward to following his journey and wish him every success for the future.”

Isla Lovell, a Year 8 student at Broadoak Academy, has achieved major success as a cheerleader at the international America Cheer Summit, held annually at the world-famous Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.

Varsity All Stars is one of the most prestigious end-of-season cheerleading championships in the world, and Isla competed with the Predator Athletics Cheer Team, Leopards.

The team achieved an incredible 7th place out of 36 of the best teams in the world, finishing just 1.3 points behind first place and only 0.27 points behind third. They were also the highest-scoring UK team in their category.

Isla’s achievement is the result of months of dedication, hard work and commitment, balancing training, competitions and school life.

A spokesperson for the academy said: “We are incredibly proud of Isla and this outstanding achievement on the international stage.

“Her dedication, determination and team spirit have been exceptional, and representing both her team and the UK at such a prestigious competition is a fantastic accomplishment.

“Everyone at Broadoak Academy congratulates Isla on her success.”