A Bristol-based teacher training institute – which is responsible for training teachers for schools across the city – has earned the highest possible grade of ‘Outstanding’ from education regulator Ofsted.

The Cabot Learning Federation SCITT (School Centred Initial Teacher Training) was established in 2015 and has since helped launch the classroom careers of more than 500 new teachers across an area from South Gloucestershire to Somerset.

It has become the only school-based teacher training provider in the region to be rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted, after inspectors heaped praise upon the quality of its provision and the leadership team at its helm.

This followed a four-day inspection, during which Ofsted’s representatives met course leaders and trainers, spoke to board members and more than 40 trainees and new teachers, and visited 12 partner schools.

They also scrutinised policies and behaviour linked to safeguarding, governance and curriculum – before judging the CLF SCITT to be ‘outstanding’ in all areas.

In her report, lead inspector Lydia Pride said teachers who learn their craft at the CLF SCITT benefit from ‘exceptional quality of training’ in a curriculum which ‘champions the values of equity and inclusion’, and prize the ongoing support they receive in the early years of their teaching career.

The report said: “Trainees describe the provider as ‘a family’. Many seek out and secure employment in partner schools. They very often go on to further the work and aims of the SCITT through their roles as mentors.

“Trainees greatly appreciate the partnership’s ongoing support and consideration for their well-being and workload, which enables them to thrive at the centre, on their placements, and in their future careers.”

The CLF SCITT – which works closely with lead partners, including Olympus Academy Trust, the Leaf Trust and The Priory Learning Trust – was praised by inspectors for its work in a wide range of areas.

On diversity, they said: “The CLF SCITT provides a curriculum that celebrates diversity and champions the values of equity and inclusion. The provider deliberately seeks trainees who are committed to overcoming disadvantage.”

On behaviour, the report said: “Behaviour management is at the forefront of the curriculum. Trainees begin their first placements with a brimming ‘toolbox’ of ideas and approaches. With the support of skilled mentors… they become assured teachers who can create positive classroom cultures in different contexts.”

On teaching, they said: “Trainees benefit from consistently high-quality training at the centre. For example, the mathematics curriculum draws on the expertise of the Boolean Maths Hub, which sits alongside the SCITT. Through this link, trainees learn an exceptional mathematics curriculum.”

On development, they said: “Leaders go out of their way to identify and develop potential teachers of the future. The SCITT works with a wide range of partners, in a highly focused and ambitious way. School Direct partners are highly complimentary about the role the SCITT plays in helping them to build strong teaching teams.”

And on leadership, the report said: “Leaders are relentless in their pursuit of their ambitious vision for trainees. They seek and reflect on feedback as a matter of routine. This creates a cycle of improvement in which staff and trainees alike are consistently invested.”

Ofsted’s appraisal has been warmly welcomed by CLF SCITT leaders and alumni, who say the centre’s policy of supporting new teachers through their training and into their classroom careers has been key to launching many successful careers in education.

Alison Fletcher, CLF Institute Director, said:

“This is a great outcome for our SCITT partnership, trainees and alumni. It is validation of our commitment over time to develop an inclusive initial teacher training provision, grounded in our knowledge of current challenges in schools and the sector, that prepares new teachers exceptionally well to work in schools in our region and be successful and effective for their pupils, especially those who experience disadvantage.”

Michelle Moxham, SCITT Director, said:

“It is heartening to hear our trainees described as being highly reflective, keen to improve, and how their interaction with tutors, subject specialists and experts supports this. They say they are well prepared during training to positively manage their own well-being and workload, that they are inducted into professional networks and receive ongoing support through their early career years.

“Recruitment to teaching and retention of good teachers in the profession is acutely challenging at present. Our trainee teachers are great ambassadors for teaching as a profession of choice and can see their potential career development in examples of our alumni in mentoring and leadership roles.”

CLF SCITT trainee Tom Symons, who will begin work as a physics teacher at Bristol Brunel Academy in September, said:

“Training with the CLF SCITT this year has been an incredibly rewarding experience. The mix of work on placement and in-house training has really shaped me as a teacher. The community of trainers and trainees has been so supportive this year and I am looking forward to working within the CLF as an ECT from September.”

And CLF SCITT trainee Georgia Sinclair, who is currently on a work placement at Woodlands Academy in Bristol, said:

“The training and support I have received from the whole team at the CLF has been phenomenal.

“They are incredibly passionate about providing outstanding teaching and learning opportunities for all children and this really permeates the entire SCITT programme.

“The training has always been incredibly engaging and well sequenced to complement school-based placements. Their highly-personalised approach means trainees always feel tutors have the best interests at heart. This was a huge attraction when I was selecting an ITT provider, and the CLF has gone above and beyond my expectations in this, and all other, respects.

“I have already highly recommended this SCITT course to other people looking to undertake ITT and will continue to do so.”

A student from an academy in Kingswood has just become a national champion in the boxing ring.

Lacey Holloway, a Year 8 student at King’s Oak Academy, is now an English Schools Boxing Champion in the under 38kg weight category.

After a series of tough preliminary fights in the weeks leading up to the final, Lacey emerged victorious from a fiercely fought three-round contest, winning on points.

The 12-year-old was first inspired to take up the sport at the tender age of 10, by her brother and her mother, Claire Holloway, who is also a boxing coach. She now trains at Downend Boxing Club under the expert guidance of coaches Craig Turner, Connor White and Bailey Phillips.

Now completely dedicated to the sport, Lacey trains three times a week all year round. Next up will be development training with the England team at the institute of sport in Sheffield.

Lacey said: “Winning this title was my dream, and I am really happy to be a national boxing champion.

“I would like to thank my mum for supporting me throughout my career so far and always being there for me. Both mum and I would like to thank Downend Boxing club for helping me achieve this.”

Robyn Harrold, King’s Oak Academy PE teacher, said: “This is an outstanding achievement and highlights Lacey’s dedication to training multiple times a week.

“We look forward to seeing her continued success and excellence in future competitions.”

A team of students from Bristol have reaffirmed their school’s dominance of a UK sporting contest by winning a national basketball title for the fifth time in eight years.

The under-16 boys’ team from Bristol Metropolitan Academy – part of the Cabot Learning Federation – showed abundant skill and determination to clinch victory at the Dynamik schools’ national competition.

Bristol Metropolitan convincingly beat London powerhouse Greig City Academy by 80-59 in the final stage at the National Basketball Performance in Manchester.

Their journey to the title was a hard-fought one, but Bristol Metropolitan displayed excellent teamwork at every stage. They first emerged triumphant from five qualifying games during the South West regional group stages, followed by four playoff games against teams from Birmingham, Telford, Newcastle and Manchester at the finals tournament.

Underpinning Bristol Metropolitan’s basketball success is a commitment to excellence, both on and off the court.

The school’s basketball programme has its foundations in attendance and behaviour. All players and parents sign a contract to confirm they will maintain certain standards to retain a place in the basketball programme. They means retaining a 4.3 behaviour average, 96% and above attendance and good punctuality. If these standards are not met, students will not be permitted to play for the team.

Tom Hooper, Programme Leader for PE at Bristol Metropolitan Academy, said: “I am extremely proud of what this group of boys have achieved. We have worked together consistently for five years with this always being our ultimate goal.

“I hope they look back fondly at their time at the academy and go on to fulfil their full potential.”

Students in Weston-super-Mare were given an insight into top level sport when a Team GB athlete visited to talk about their competitive career.

James Tomlinson, Team GB discus thrower, visited Haywood Village Academy to talk all things discus and GB Athletics.

James spoke to pupils about his event, and shared his journey from a young enthusiast to a seasoned athlete, inspiring pupils with his tales of dedication, perseverance, and triumph. He also spoke about his achievements, training, diet, mental health and resilience, illustrated by his journey back to full fitness after injury.

James started throwing a discus at 13 after winning the county championship. To train, he was throwing pebbles on the beach with his dad. After the championships, his dad bought him his first discus and he started training at Pembrokeshire Harriers, his local athletics club.

In 2014 James won his first Wales Schools Championship which led him to compete in his first international tournament, where he won his first gold medal.

During his visit, pupils from nursery to Year 6 undertook a sponsored fitness circuit. The school raised more than £2,000 which will be shared between the academy, where it will be put towards PE equipment and enrichment, and Sports for Champions UK, which helps young elite athletes fund their winter training, travel and other costs.

Neil Sharp, PE subject lead and Year 4 teacher, said: “It was an excellent experience for our children to meet a top Great Britain athlete in a discipline that they might have been unfamiliar with. Because of their interest we have now added the discus event into our own sports day.

“The children were fully engaged, and this is proven by the staggering amount of money raised both for the school and the charity. On the day, James spoke about a number of interesting aspects about his career but the parts about growth mindset and showing resilience in tough times really resonated with our children.”

An academy in Weston-super-Mare had a visit from a former football striker and manager who is driving change through his work as an anti-discrimination educator and broadcaster.

Winterstoke Hundred Academy welcomed Leroy Rosenior MBE, a former top flight professional footballer whose career included stints at clubs such as West Ham, Fulham, Queen’s Park Rangers, and Bristol City. Leroy, a leading voice in this field, is now also the Vice President and Ambassador for Show Racism the Red Card, an organisation dedicated to combatting racism and discrimination in the sporting arena.

The visit aimed to give students an understanding on the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion, both in sports and wider society.

Leroy delivered impactful workshops to more than 300 Year 7 and 8 students about his work as an anti-racism campaigner.

Leroy’s commitment to combating discrimination was recognised in 2019 when he was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), a testament to his unwavering dedication to social justice.

Emily Robinson, Head of House at Winterstoke Hundred Academy, said: “Leroy is among the prominent figures who have contributed to shaping English football’s future approach to tackling racism and abuse in sports.

“His insights and experiences provided valuable learning opportunities for our students. We would all like to thank Leroy for taking the time out of his busy schedule to come and talk to our students.”

Pupils at Bristol’s Frome Vale Academy are enjoying some unique lessons in responsibility and entrepreneurship by running their own school shop.

Frome Vesco is a wholly student-operated convenience store. Designed and named by the school’s talented pupils, Frome Vesco is now open for business, offering a wide array of goods tailored to meet the needs of pupils.

Located within the academy, Frome Vesco is stocked with essentials ranging from books to stationery, providing a convenient shopping experience for pupils. What sets Frome Vesco apart is not just its products, but also its unique operational model. The store is entirely managed and operated by pupils, helping them to evolve their own sense of responsibility and business.

It also gives pupils a chance to spend their Penguin Pounds, a bespoke school currency which can be earned by carrying out jobs within the academy. The store is open twice a week at break time.

Pupils in charge of the shop are then expected to do a weekly stock check and report this to the principal so stocks can be replenished.

Pupils can earn their Penguin Pounds by applying for jobs including first aid monitors, lunch trolley monitors, play buddies and recyclers. Initially they need to earn Frome Vale citizen cards for good behaviours and carrying out their jobs. When they have 10 Frome Vale citizen cards, they can convert them to one Penguin Pound.

This initiative is teaching pupils the importance of working hard, spending and saving wisely, but more importantly about the power of teamwork and collaboration with their classmates.

Jan Saunders, Principal of Frome Vale Academy, said: “This is the next step in providing children with the opportunity to understand commerce and develop skills that replicate those in the real world. It is also a natural part of providing an opportunity for children to spend the hard-earned Penguin Pounds.”