The Nest, part of Snowdon Village, welcomed a special guest this week as Jake Woolmore, loosehead prop for Bristol Bears, paid a visit to begin an exciting new mentoring journey with one of their Year 6 pupils.

Rugby star Jake will be supporting the pupil throughout their school and rugby development, helping to inspire and guide him through both academic and sporting challenges.

This initiative is part of a collaboration with the star* scheme and Whitehall RFC, whose warm welcome to the family has already made a strong impression.

The visit marked the beginning of the mentoring relationship, with Jake sharing insights into life in the front row, the importance of goal setting, and focusing energy on what can be controlled.

The pair even signed a personal ‘contract’ that they will revisit after half term — a symbolic start to what promises to be a meaningful partnership.

The positive impact was immediate. The pupils beaming smile after the session said it all — a moment of inspiration that will no doubt be remembered for a long time.

Andrew Bell, Partnership Manager at The Nest’s parent trust the Cabot Learning Federation, said: “The CLF’s partnership with Bristol Bears is focused on engaging learners across the trust, creating positive experiences that impact their journey through education.

“I would like to thank Jake for taking the time to visit The Nest and invest in the future of our young people.”

 

 

Katherine Ogden, Principal of King’s Oak Academy in Kingswood, is proving that leadership isn’t confined to the classroom.

She is rapidly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the world of CrossFit, earning top placements in high-level competitions across the UK and Europe.

Katherine qualified in first place for the British Functional Fitness Championships National Finals in Sheffield. She dominated the field, winning five out of six events and securing first place overall – an impressive demonstration of strategy, resilience and training discipline.

Following this result, Katherine has been selected to represent Team UK at both the Masters IF3 European Championships in the Netherlands (13-15 June) and the IF3 World Championships in Brisbane, Australia.

Earlier this year, Katherine also reached the CrossFit Games Semi-Finals (35-39 division), a milestone achieved by only the top 1% of athletes worldwide. Although she narrowly missed out on a place in the final 30 heading to the Masters CrossFit Games in Ohio this August, her performance firmly established her among the elite in the global functional fitness community.

Most recently, she secured 2nd place in the qualifiers (35-39 division) for the Strength in Depth UK Championships, due to be held at Birmingham’s NEC from 11-13 July.

CrossFit is a global fitness movement that blends strength training, gymnastics, and cardiovascular conditioning through constantly varied, high-intensity workouts. Its aim is to develop all-around fitness and prepare athletes for any physical challenge.

Reflecting on her sporting journey, Katherine Ogden said: “Sport teaches you how to work hard and consistently in order to improve, learn how to win and lose and to keep persevering when setbacks occur – and those principles transfer directly into how we teach or lead in our schools.

“I’m hugely grateful to the Cabot Learning Federation for supporting me as a leader and giving me the opportunity to represent our trust within Team UK.

“When we talk about being an employer of choice, things like this really do make the difference.”

 

 

Year 2 pupils from Evergreen Primary Academy enjoyed an exciting and educational visit to the local fire station.

Pupils had the opportunity to listen to firefighters speak about their vital role in the community, including how they respond to emergencies, use their equipment, and stay safe while doing their job.

During the visit, pupils learnt how firefighters reach high-up places, explored the gear used in their day-to-day work, and even had the chance to try out a real fire hose — a definite highlight of the day!

This visit was not only informative but also inspiring. Pupils showed great curiosity by asking thoughtful questions and listening attentively throughout.

Staff praised pupils for representing Evergreen Academy with pride and excellent behaviour in the community.

A school spokesperson said: “This visit was a fantastic opportunity for our pupils to engage with real-life heroes and learn about fire safety in a fun, memorable way.

“We are incredibly proud of how well they conducted themselves and the enthusiasm they showed throughout the experience.”

The Nest, part of Snowdon Village, is delighted to welcome two new furry friends — Roy and Tonk the goats — who will be staying with them for the next 12 weeks.

This exciting initiative is in partnership with Street Goats, an urban goat farming charity dedicated to connecting communities with sustainable food production and regenerative land management. The charity’s work helps people of all ages better understand the importance of ethical farming and caring for our environment.

Nest pupils are absolutely loving the experience. They are learning hands-on about goat care, animal welfare, feeding, and habitats, all while developing a deeper appreciation for nature and sustainability.

Hope Allen, Centre Lead at The Nest, said: “Roy and Tonk have brought so much joy and curiosity to our learning environment.

Pupils are not only enjoying spending time with them, but they’re also gaining valuable knowledge about animal welfare and sustainable living.

“It’s been a fantastic addition to our curriculum.

“We’re thrilled to be part of a project that supports both education and ecological awareness — and we know Roy and Tonk will leave a lasting impact on our young learners.”

CLF Institute Director Alison Fletcher has been appointed to one of the government’s flagship RISE teams after being identified as one of the UK’s ‘best of the best in school improvement’.

The RISE (Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence) teams are a successful initiative designed to drive up standards in schools that have previously struggled.

RISE was initially piloted in 32 schools, but ministers are now injecting a further £20million to expand the scheme into 200 more, with a combined reach of more than 120,000 children.

That growth has seen an additional 45 expert advisers recruited to the RISE scheme across the country, with five in the South West – including Alison, who will combine her position at the Institute with a part-time RISE secondment for the next two years.

The government says every adviser has been handpicked because of their proven track record of improving schools.

In announcing the RISE expansion, Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson said: “No child should be spending precious days, let alone years, in schools that are underperforming.

“Our new RISE teams, made up of the best of the best in school improvement, can be the spark that turns around the life chances of tens of thousands of children.

“RISE teams have already hit the ground running, and as we deliver on our Plan for Change, I am determined to make sure we lift every school, for every child, up to the standard of the best.”

RISE advisers will work with more than 600 ‘stuck’ schools in England that have received consecutive poor Ofsted judgements, and which are attended by more than 300,000 children.

Data shows that those RISE schools we are now supporting, have spent an average of 6.6 years rated by Ofsted as below good or equivalent – equivalent to a child spending their whole primary or secondary school years in an underperforming school.

Each school will benefit from a bespoke improvement plan drawn up by RISE advisers, which could involve them being paired with a high-performing multi-academy trust.

Alison – who has been part of the CLF since 2015 – says she is looking forward to making a difference across the region within her new role.

Alison said: “It is a privilege to have been appointed as one of the South West RISE team.

“This is an opportunity to build on the work we have done through Teaching School Hubs and Team SW, to help all schools and teachers to access high-quality CPD to support their school improvement and better outcomes for all children in the region. This will be through the new Universal Service.

“Collaboration and connectivity between schools will underpin the success of this work and this feels like an extension of how we work within our trust.

“The RISE teams in each region are also responsible for helping schools that are really struggling to improve, through the new Targeted Service. There is determined commitment from the government for RISE to have a positive impact, especially on these schools and for children experiencing disadvantage, and it will be exciting to work with DfE colleagues to make this happen in the South West.”

CLF CEO Steve Taylor said: “Alison is uniquely qualified for this work; her knowledge and understanding of the educational and school improvement landscape in our region and beyond is second-to-none. As well as steering the excellent work of the CLF Institute over recent years, she has also been chairing Team Southwest, a network which is now taking centre stage in the RISE Team’s approach to securing school improvement across the region.

“In the CLF we have always sought to be outward-facing, promoting system altruism and collaborative practice both within and beyond our own trust, and Alison has been the embodiment of this work. I am extremely proud that she now has the opportunity to play such a pivotal role going forward, and delighted that we still have all the benefits of her brilliance and expertise in the CLF. It’s good news for the children of our region.”

 

Summerhill Academy was delighted to welcome four top athletes from Pentathlon UK as part of an exciting new initiative to introduce obstacle course racing into the modern pentathlon.

The sport is undergoing a transformation, with obstacle course racing being introduced as the fifth event in modern pentathlon. Athletes will now face high-energy challenges such as rope swings, monkey bars, and the thrilling ‘tsunami wall’.

To support this change and introduce the sport to a younger generation, Pentathlon GB has partnered with the Youth Sport Trust to develop innovative teaching resources designed specifically for primary schools.

Summerhill Academy is proud to be one of only a handful of schools across the UK trialling the new materials, after the school won a recent Youth Sport Trust award for its PE provision.

During their visit, the athletes observed a lesson in action and joined pupils in tackling the obstacle course, encouraging and coaching them through each challenge.

The visit concluded with a lively Q&A session, giving pupils the chance to ask questions and learn more about the athletes’ careers and the exciting changes to the sport.

Sally Goodridge, PE Lead at Summerhill Academy, said: “It’s fantastic to see schools like Summerhill Academy embracing this new chapter in modern pentathlon.

“The enthusiasm from our pupils was inspiring, and we hope these new resources will spark a lifelong love of physical activity and sport.”

Summerhill Academy would like to thank the visiting athletes, and everyone involved in delivering such an inspiring and action-packed session.

 

 

Students at King’s Oak Academy got a hands-on taste of the world of work through a new pilot partnership being run with Clifton Coffee as part of its broader Future Workforce partnership.

The initiative is designed to empower learners by equipping them with practical skills and entrepreneurial know-how through the creation of their own student café.

Launched at the end of January, the project provided students with hands-on experience not only in barista training but also in essential aspects of running a business, including customer service, pricing strategies, and budgeting.

The program kicked off with a visit from the Clifton Coffee team to King’s Oak, where they met the first cohort of participants and introduced them to the project.

Over the course of three interactive training sessions held at Clifton Coffee HQ, students received expert guidance and practiced crafting high-quality coffee in a professional setting.

By the conclusion of the training, participants have the confidence and capability to serve exceptional coffee to parents and staff, creating a welcoming space while putting their new skills to the test

James Cornick, Specialist Leader in Education for King’s Oak’s parent trust part of the Cabot Learning Federation, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity to give our catering students a chance to learn practical, industry recognised skills and get hands on experience creating and running their own business.

“Collaborating with the team at Clifton Coffee and seeing our young baristas in action was amazing.”

The student café project represents a unique opportunity for learners to bridge the gap between classroom education and real-world experience, laying a strong foundation for their futures.

A spokesperson from Clifton Coffee said: “Clifton Coffee are excited to partner with the Cabot Learning Federation and King’s Oak Academy inspired by the principles of the Future Workforce initiative.

“Barista and hospitality skills are essential for young people as they teach the value of kindness, empathy, and respect for others. Learning to interact with people, solving problems, and helping others fosters strong social connections and builds confidence.

“These skills encourage teamwork and cooperation, essential for school, family, and community life. Early experience in hospitality helps young people develop emotional intelligence and prepares them for future personal and professional relationships and success, creating a foundation for a compassionate and inclusive mindset.”

 

 

Pupils at Haywood Village Academy were treated to an unforgettable experience when a variety of exotic animals – including snakes – paid a special visit to the academy.

This exciting event gave pupils the rare opportunity to get up close and personal with creatures typically found in the world’s rainforests.

Rainforest animals are incredibly diverse, exhibiting a wide range of adaptations that help them thrive in their humid, warm and lush habitats.

This visit served as a unique educational opportunity, allowing pupils to deepen their understanding of these fascinating ecosystems.

Throughout the visit, pupils demonstrated amazing curiosity and courage, asking thoughtful questions and even bravely holding some of the animals.

A school spokesperson said: “It was wonderful to see our pupils so engaged and fearless.

“Experiences like these could spark a lifelong interest in nature and science, and we’re proud of how inquisitive and respectful our pupils were during the session.”

15 miles, 11 schools, thousands of smiling children, hundreds of smiling staff, tens of smiling strangers, one chicken and one extremely proud aunt.

If you saw a team of superheroes following a giant chicken through the streets of Bristol this week, your eyes were not deceiving you – it was a school principal completing a charity run in memory of her four-year-old nephew.

Alex Davies leads Snowdon Village, a group of four Bristol schools which educate students who have either been excluded from mainstream education, or whose needs make it hard for them to succeed in mainstream classrooms.

Three years ago, Alex’s family suffered a tragic loss when her nephew Jesse died from a genetic condition so rare than it had never been diagnosed.

And this week, Alex and friends took to the streets on Undiagnosed Children’s Day (Friday 25^th April) to complete a sponsored 15-mile run around a number of Bristol schools, with participants wearing superhero costumes honouring Jesse (and all the other children facing their fears who have an undiagnosed need) and one of his favourite things, chickens.

Pupils at the participating schools waved and cheered the runners on as they passed their school. Some special schools on the route opened their playground and so students could high five or fist bump the runners as they passed.

The run was designed to raise money for two causes close to Alex’s heart.

The first is SWAN UK, the UK’s only dedicated support network in the UK for families affected by a syndrome without a name – a genetic condition so rare it often remains undiagnosed, like the one Jesse fought against.

That is why Alex chose to complete her run on Undiagnosed Children’s Day.

Alex said: “During his short life, Jesse faced his fear and taught himself to walk. Jesse also absolutely loved chickens.

“The fun run ‘Chase the Chicken’ was meant to inspire people to face their fears and do things they never thought were possible, like run 15 miles, climb Snowdon or walk across a bridge when everyone told you that you would never be able to walk.

“But also, many of the children we support at Snowdon Village have an undiagnosed need, which is why we feel this is an important charity to support.”

The second cause Alex was fundraising for was the Big Trip, an adventure activity for some of the most disadvantaged students at Snowdon Village.

The two-day expedition will see students – many of whom have never been outside of Bristol before – complete a supervised trek to the summit of Mount Snowdon in Wales.

During May, hundreds of Alex’s colleagues from schools within Snowdon Village’s parent trust the Cabot Learning Federation will be taking part in runs and walks of their own to support the cause.

They will be joining a series of events throughout the West Country – including the Great Bristol Run on 11 May.

Alex said: “The run was a huge success. I have run many races in my time but this has to be the best run I have ever done – seeing so many smiling children. Jesse would have loved it.

“We have already raised over £2,000. Half will be going to SWAN UK and half we will use to take our Snowdon Village superheroes to the top of a mountain that is special to us, Mount Snowdon. Thank you to everyone who has already sponsored us.”

Anyone who would like to add a donation in recognition of Alex’s efforts should visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/chase-the-chicken-a-15-mile-sponsored-fun-run

Students at Winterstoke Hundred Academy were treated to a lesson with a difference, when Somerset-based rock band The Entitled Sons visited the academy to deliver four concerts playing their latest hits.

The Entitled Sons performed last year at Glastonbury and are selling out concerts all over the UK. They are a family band of four brothers, Charlie on lead vocals, Raffey on guitar, Billy on keyboards, Laurie on drums and their dad Graham on bass guitar.

They are the sons of TV presenter Sarah Beeny and Graham Swift. The family have just completed their fourth series on Channel 4’s Sarah Beeny’s New Life in the Country.

After the concerts, the four brothers each took a microphone, sat on a stool and began an engaging conversation with students. The brothers discussed a range of topics including their own personal struggles with dyslexia, ADHD, bullying, doomscrolling, gaming and the pros and cons of social media.

Their positive message resonated with students as they discussed healthy living and promoting good mental health.

The band highlighted the importance of being in healthy relationships and speaking up when you have a problem.

They also encouraged students to reduce screen time, enjoy the outdoors, alongside the importance of study and not to be like them when they used their dyslexia diagnosis as an excuse for not working hard.

The band were generous with their time chatting with students afterwards, posing for selfies, signing autographs and handing out wristbands.

Students said the band had been ‘so cool and down to earth’ but most asked ‘when are they coming back?’

The Entitled Sons drove back to Somerset leaving behind them, what for many, was their first ever experience of a live performance, hundreds of smiling faces, happy memories and a positive message to reflect on.

Annie Massey, Vice Principal at Winterstoke Hundred Academy, said: “It’s not every day our students get to hear such powerful life lessons wrapped in brilliant live music.

“The Entitled Sons didn’t just perform – they connected. It’s an experience our students will carry with them for a long time,”