Students in Weston-super-Mare have been taking part in a groundbreaking initiative teaching them about the possible consequences of carrying a knife and what to do if a friend or family member is stabbed.

Nearly 150 Year Nine students from Winterstoke Hundred Academy attended a presentation which is part-funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and involving members of the Police, Avon Fire and Rescue, North Somerset Council and medics/surgeons from the Army.

Blunt Truth is a comprehensive hour-long workshop which aims to encourage young people to report through their school, the police or through FEARLESS (youth arm of Crimestoppers) if someone they know is carrying a knife.

Students were shown a thought-provoking film highlighting the different outcomes of either reporting someone they know to be carrying a knife or the potential tragic consequences if they don’t. After, the police engaged in discussions with students, offering insight into situations they might encounter and providing guidance on who to approach if they are concerned about friends or family members.

Students also received first aid training for victims of knife wounds, learned about the type of harm stab wounds to different parts of the body can cause and were instructed on the signs to look out for if a person has been stabbed.

Agnes, a Year 9 pupil at Winterstoke Hundred, said: “When you hear about knife crime it can be very worrying, but because there are so many different organisations that will support you and help you, it is not as scary, and they will always be there to help you if you need to speak to anyone.”

Sarah-Jayne Evans, Teacher of PSHE & Business and organiser of the event, said: “We are grateful to our colleagues in the police, fire service, council and army for giving up their time to support our young people in developing their understanding of the detrimental effects of knife crime and to teach them vital first aid skills in order to support us to keep our community safe.

In a powerful display of unity and commitment to eradicating racism, staff and students at Bristol Brunel Academy came together for a school-wide event dedicated to showcasing their support for anti-racism initiatives.

Thought-provoking lessons were set up throughout the school day to educate students about Wear Red Day. The content of these lessons has been carefully created with resources from the Wear Red charity and are designed to encourage discussions on the topic of prejudice. They aim too to share valuable knowledge with all students, who are encouraged to report racism if they witness it.

The event not only served as a platform for education but also reinforced the school’s commitment to fostering a culture of respect, understanding, and acceptance.

Bristol Brunel Academy remains dedicated to promoting anti-racism initiatives and creating an environment where every student feels valued and included.

James Ferguson, Associate Assistant Principal and event organiser, said: “At Bristol Brunel Academy we are extremely proud to have such a diverse community and we recognise that standing up to racism is essential to ensure every member of our community feels valued, respected, and able to thrive.”

Students at Weston-super-Mare’s Hans Price Academy have enjoyed a taste of the exotic Far East to cement a new twinning relationship with a school in Japan.

Twenty students from years 10 and 11 and staff from Hans Price Academy embarked on an exciting eight-day visit to Shinagawa Shouei Jr High School in Tokyo, Japan.

Their visit was the inaugural trip in a new partnership between the two schools which will offer students a unique exchange of knowledge and experiences.

The trip to Tokyo was not only an educational experience, but it also provided ample opportunities for sightseeing and cultural exploration. Among the many highlights, the group enjoyed a scenic Lake Ashi Cruise, delved into the historical wonders of Edo Wonderland, experienced the vibrant Tsukiji Market, explored the serene Asakusa Temple, and indulged in a picturesque Sumida River cruise.

Plans are already in place for a reciprocal visit, with a delegation from Shinagawa Shouei Jr High School scheduled for May.

Hans Price leaders secured the bulk of the money needed for the trip through a rigorous application process for Government funding.

However, the grant award was bolstered by GoFundMe sponsorships secured by HPA staff, a school talent show, and a number of bake sales and car washes in the months leading up to the trip.

Sian Angell, Raising Standards Leader at Hans Price and trip lead, said: “The trip served as an opportunity of a lifetime for these students, and we hope to see the impact with future generations to follow. To be able to provide an experience that we can already see has had a great impact on their global aspirations is something we are incredibly proud of. We are already very much looking forward to Shinagawa School’s first return visit in the spring.”

Year 10 pupil Jasmine Chapple said: “Personally, my involvement in the HPA Tokyo trip was one of the best experiences I think I will ever have the opportunity to take part in. We got to learn about so many amazing things, including the culture, the Japanese language and what it is like to live and study in Japan. We also got to try so many new foods which I will forever be thankful for. This is definitely an experience I will never forget.”

This international exchange not only broadened the horizons of the participating students but also strengthened the bonds of friendship and collaboration between Hans Price Academy and Shinagawa Shouei Jr High School.

Hans Price Academy remains a ‘good’ school, according to Ofsted inspectors who praised the ‘high expectations’ and ‘sense of belonging’ it creates for all students.

The Weston-super-Mare academy has been rated ‘good’ since 2013, and the latest Ofsted assessment – published today (January 22) – says it ‘continues to be a good school’.

Ofsted’s inspection team spent two days scrutinising lessons and pupil work, interviewing leaders, teachers, students and parents, and carrying out a ‘deep dive’ into a number of subject areas.

Afterwards, lead inspector Victoria Griffing offered a clear endorsement of Hans Price’s provision, as well as the ‘positive culture the school has developed over a number of years’.

Her report said: “Hans Price Academy continues to be a good school.

“A sense of ‘belonging’ is at the heart of Hans Price Academy’s ethos. The school has high expectations for its pupils. These go hand in hand with warm relationships. Staff treat every pupil as an individual.

“Pupils are encouraged to take responsibility and develop resilience. Pupils feel safe and well cared for in the ‘learning families’ within the school’s four ‘colleges’.

“There are effective systems in place to support good behaviour. Pupils reflect on and respond to behaviour that does not meet the school’s high expectations.

“The school does not compromise on maintaining a calm and orderly environment in which pupils can learn.

“The school’s ‘ready to learn’ policy underpins its unique culture. It supports pupils to make the right choices.”

Inspectors went on to praise the school’s ‘effective’ safeguarding, ‘expert’ teaching and ‘carefully-designed’ curriculum.

They also noted the ‘wide range of extracurricular activities’ which are ‘available to all pupils’, and the ‘highly-personalised’ SEND support which means ‘pupils receive the right help at the right time’.

Ofsted’s findings have been welcomed by leaders at Hans Price Academy, and its parent trust the Cabot Learning Federation (CLF), whose six Weston schools – secondaries Hans

Price, Winterstoke Hundred and Broadoak, and primaries Uphill Village, Haywood Village and Herons’ Moor – are all now rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding.’

Adrian Esch, Hans Price Academy Head of School, said:

“We are incredibly proud of our community and the culture we have built to ensure that every child has the opportunity to be their very best and leave school as well-rounded individuals. This report is testimony to the years of hard work and commitment from our staff, students and the families we serve.

“We will continue to strive to provide an exceptional learning experience for every child to give them the best possible opportunities in further education and beyond.”

Tony Searle, CLF Executive Principal, said:

“It has been a privilege to work alongside the Hans Price community for the past 10 years.  The students and families we serve are a brilliant and diverse group of people who, alongside an exceptionally committed and tenacious staff body, continue to aspire to even greater things.

“This report serves as a clear endorsement of our culture and individualised approach to delivering an exceptional education and broader experiences on behalf of our students.”

Steve Taylor, CLF Chief Executive, said:

“Hans Price has been a consistently strong academy for a number of years now and is quite simply a great place to go to school. All of us in the Cabot Learning Federation are proud of what our colleagues and the students have been able to achieve. Well done to all.”

Picture caption: Head of School Adrian Esch celebrates Hans Price Academy’s latest Ofsted success with students and school dog Hanson.

Winterstoke Hundred Academy’s ‘detailed and ambitious’ curriculum and the ‘sense of belonging’ it creates for students have earned the school a ‘good’ rating in its first ever Ofsted inspection.

The Weston-super-Mare school – which opened in Beaufighter Road in 2020 and this month expanded to a second site at Locking Parklands – was visited by an Ofsted team for a two-day inspection.

Inspectors spoke with school leaders, pupils and parents, and scrutinised the curriculum, observed lessons and analysed students’ work.

They concluded that Winterstoke Hundred – part of the Cabot Learning Federation – is ‘good’ in all areas.

Lead inspector Rachel Hesketh said in her report: “Since opening in September 2020 with one year group, the pupil population has increased and so the school has changed significantly year-on-year. Pupils have adapted to the changes and are well supported by staff, both for their well-being and academically.

“Pupils’ behaviour in lessons is calm and orderly. All pupils know the routines for learning.

“The school creates a sense of belonging for pupils. For example, the innovative breakfast club makes it attractive to come to school. As a result, many pupils arrive early and attend well.

“The trust works with teachers to develop a well-organised and ambitious curriculum. As a result, teachers know how the curriculum builds over time. They adapt and structure learning to be relevant for pupils. Teachers’ curriculum thinking is detailed and specific.

“Pupils learn about fundamental British values, tolerance and respect throughout the curriculum.”

And on Winterstoke Hundred’s Sixth Form, inspectors added: “The sixth form has rapidly expanded since the school opened. The sixth-form curriculum has adapted and changed as numbers have increased.

“The school ensures there is a broad and ambitious offer for students that prepares them for their chosen pathways. Students select from a range of A-level and vocational courses. These lead to university entrance, apprenticeships and training for future careers.”

Inspectors were also complimentary about Winterstoke Hundred’s ‘effective’ safeguarding, ‘robust’ policies for students with additional needs, and its ‘wide variety’ of extracurricular clubs enabling students to engage in new activities and passions.

The overall grading means that all Cabot Learning Federation schools in the Weston-super-Mare area – including sister academies Hans Price and Broadoak, and the primary academies of Herons’ Moor, Haywood Village, and Uphill Village – are now all rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding.’

School leaders have welcomed Ofsted’s findings, which they say is testament to the hard work of staff since Winterstoke Hundred opened three years ago.

Matthew Randle, newly-appointed Principal at Winterstoke Hundred Academy, said:

“I am extremely excited about taking over the reins at Winterstoke Hundred at a time coinciding with the publication of the school’s first Ofsted report, which is good in all areas, and at the moment we extend into our second site. The foundations have been laid in every sense, and we will now really fly!”

Tony Searle, Executive Principal at Winterstoke Hundred Academy, said:

“It has been an honour to work closely with colleagues at Winterstoke as we continue to build a fantastic academy for the communities we serve.

“We are delighted with the recognition of our current strengths in safeguarding, curriculum and behaviour, but also our ambition for even more as we grow our academy.

“Our sixth form offer goes from strength to strength, and we look forward to excellent recruitment for the 2024/25 academic year.”

Steve Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of the Cabot Learning Federation, said:

“This is great news for the community in Weston-super-Mare, which now has a range of strong secondary school provision from which to choose.

“I am delighted the report is so positive about the experience of learners in the sixth form – clear validation for students who would choose a school-based sixth form, that a strong offer is on their doorstep.”

Picture caption: Principal Matthew Randle at Winterstoke Hundred Academy’s newly-opened Locking Parklands campus.