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.”

Winterstoke Hundred Academy pupils marked the start of the new school year with a special event to celebrate the award-winning facilities at their recently opened school.

The striking new school building, located in Locking Parklands, was delivered by North Somerset Council, working in partnership with project contractors, Kier, and the CLF.

It first opened its doors to students back in January, with its formal opening reserved for the new school year in September.

The event saw pupils lead tours around the facilities, showcasing modern classrooms and highlighting their favourite features to guests. Afterwards, they joined a tree planting ceremony as an apple tree was handed over to the school, signifying growth for the future and the fruits of investment in education.

Student Grace Hart, Year 11, said: “The new building is bigger, brighter and a great space to learn. It’s also quiet, which makes it easier to concentrate – it’s the perfect environment to be in and I’m very proud to be here.”

The expansion of Winterstoke Hundred – which now utilises its original site at Beaufighter Road for students in Years 12 and 13, as well as a  temporary home for Lime Hills Academy – has been designed to accommodate up to 900 pupils. It will help to serve the nearby local communities by increasing school capacity in the area as overall demand requires.

The expansion was also designed to achieve net zero carbon in operation, aiming for a much-sought BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating for energy efficiency. The building includes sustainable features that classrooms keep cool in summer and warm in winter, as well as solar panels that generate energy for the school and the national grid.

Winterstoke Hundred Principal Matt Randle said: “It is a privilege to be working in our new purpose-built school buildings.

“The bright, open and vibrant design provides for excellent eco credentials in line with the school’s commitment to environmental sustainability alongside fantastic specialist spaces and classrooms.

“Our school is designed to grow with increasing demand from our local community as we aim to deliver a responsive curriculum that meets the needs of students and employers.

“We are excited to see the way our school is becoming a real hub for the residents of Weston-super-Mare.”