Minerva Primary Academy’s commitment to competition and participation has earned a School Games Silver Mark Award for the 2023/24 academic year.

The School Games Mark is a government-led award scheme launched in 2012, facilitated by the Youth Sport Trust to reward schools for their commitment to the development of competition across their school and into the community, and the academy Minerva has been recognised for its success.

As part of the application, the school was asked to fulfil criteria in the areas of participation, competition, workforce and clubs, and school leaders are pleased the hard work of the academy team has been rewarded this year.

A spokesperson said: “We are extremely proud of our pupils for their dedication to all aspects of school sport this year and their personal developments within keeping active.

“We look forward to another active academic year at Minerva Primary Academy.”

Eighty Year 9 students at King’s Oak Academy participated in an exciting and hands-on science, technology, English, and maths (STEM) workshop focused on robotics.

The workshop aimed to inspire students by introducing them to a variety of STEM-related careers, promoting both creativity and critical thinking skills.

As part of the workshop, students were tasked with designing, building, and programming a Lego robot to perform specific tasks.

This activity encouraged teamwork, problem-solving, and innovation as the students worked together to complete their challenges.

Laura Phillips, Head of Science at King’s Oak Academy, said: “Students demonstrated effective communication and problem-solving skills to complete the challenges successfully.

“The workshop was a great success, sparking enthusiasm for STEM subjects among students, many of whom showed a keen interest about the possibilities of pursuing STEM careers in the future.

“Well done Year 9!”

In a vibrant show of solidarity and support for World Mental Health Day, teachers and staff at Tewkesbury Academy dressed in yellow to raise awareness of the importance of mental health and wellbeing.

By taking part in this initiative, Tewkesbury Academy joins a nationwide effort to highlight mental health struggles, demonstrating to students that they are never alone and that help is always available.

Kathleen McGillycuddy, Principal of Tewkesbury Academy, said: “We are proud to wear yellow to celebrate World Mental Health Day — the wellbeing of our young people and colleagues is really important to us.

“It is a symbol to our school community that it is okay to not be okay, and as a Young Minds Matter school, we are thankful to all our partner organisations for their help in keeping our children and young people well.”

A group of proactive students from King’s Oak Academy have taken environmental action into their own hands by launching a recycling project aimed at reducing waste across the academy.

Under their own initiative, these passionate students have started collecting plastic bottles from around the school site in an effort to make the campus eco-friendlier and promote sustainability.

The project is a key part of King’s Oak Academy’s ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility, as the school works towards achieving Eco-School status. The Eco-Schools programme encourages young people to take an active role in making their school, community, and the wider world more environmentally sustainable.

Through this initiative, students are not only making a difference at the academy but are also gaining valuable experience in leadership, teamwork, and environmental stewardship.

In addition to the recycling project, King’s Oak Academy is involved in the Living Connections initiative. This programme aims to enhance the local environment by planting greenery, restoring habitats, and creating thriving urban spaces where both people and wildlife can flourish.

George Tanner, Second in Humanities and Eco-Lead, said: “The students’ efforts reflect the academy’s dedication to fostering a greener future and inspiring the next generation to take meaningful action in their communities.”

Year 13 students at the Cabot Learning Federation (CLF) Post-16 Centre demonstrated outstanding teamwork and leadership by planning, producing, and running a major careers event focused on university degrees and apprenticeships within the business sector.

This event, aimed at students from across Bristol and the surrounding areas, served as a valuable opportunity for attendees to explore future career paths and options in business education.

The event was organised as part of the students’ OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma in Business Studies.

Working collaboratively, the students took responsibility for all aspects of the event, including planning, outreach, and execution, showcasing their project management, communication, and problem-solving skills.

The careers event featured presentations, workshops, and networking opportunities with representatives from universities, apprenticeship providers, and business professionals.

Helen Gardener, a teacher of Business and Finance at the CLF, said: “I am incredibly proud of what the Year 13 students have achieved. This event is a perfect example of how practical learning through the Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma in Business allows students to develop real-world skills, such as teamwork, leadership, and organisation, that will serve them well in their future careers.”

Twenty-nine Year 10 citizenship students from Weston’s Broadoak Academy recently embarked on an educational visit to the Houses of Parliament in London.

The students, many of whom were visiting these iconic landmarks for the first time, also enjoyed a walk past Big Ben and the London Eye, offering them a chance to experience some of the city’s most famous sights up close.

Upon arrival at the Houses of Parliament, the students were treated to an inspiring educational film about the rich history of the building in the Parliament’s Education Centre. They learned about the many trials Parliament has faced over the centuries, from being burnt down to surviving bombings and being rebuilt multiple times.

The students were then given the rare opportunity to tour the House of Commons and the House of Lords, retracing the steps of the sovereign’s ceremonial visit. They also explored Westminster Hall, the oldest part of the building, admired for its grand high ceilings and beautiful stained-glass windows.

Other highlights of the visit included the lobby where the four nations meet and the room designed by Queen Victoria, where monarchs are still robed for state occasions.

Georgia Wilde, Careers & Aspirations Coordinator for Broadoak Academy, said: “It was a truly wonderful and heartwarming experience. Many of the students said it was a day they would never forget. It has certainly sparked a newfound interest in politics and law for many who had little to no knowledge of it before.

“This educational trip was an unforgettable experience, leaving students with a deeper understanding of British politics and history.”