Academy News

Thursday evening saw yet another successful edition of Strictly Dance Fever. The talent on display was sensational, with every performer giving their all to impress the packed Academy Hall.

The evening was expertly compered by former students Oli and Mair. The difficult task of selecting the winners fell to our panel of judges: Shelley Lippe, Vicki Cook, and Lindsey Murphy.

There were three performance categories on the night:

Solo Winner: Flo (Year 8)

Duet Winners: Charlotte and Gracie (both Year 10)

Group Winners: A large ensemble choreographed by KS3 Dance Captain Sophia featuring Evelyn, Florence, Darcey, Analucia, Olive, Kathryn, Holly, Scarlet, and Brooke.

The overall winning piece was a technically demanding and powerful tap solo, choreographed and performed by Flo (Year 8). The decision was hugely popular with the audience, and Flo was awarded the Strictly Dance Fever trophy.

The Best Performer trophy was presented to Mati (Year 8) for her outstanding contributions throughout the show, while Chace was honoured with the Future Star award.

We were also proud to present badges to our newly appointed Dance Captains: Leah (KS3 Dance Captain) and Hannah (KS4 Dance Captain). Both girls have big shoes to fill, but we are confident they will rise to the challenge and lead with enthusiasm.

Team Food recently took part in an extraordinary event: an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest cooking lesson ever held. The previous record, set in Poland in 2015 by the Partnership for Health, involved 6,778 participants across 89 schools. This time, the goal was to go much bigger. 

The cooking lesson focused on making homemade pasta paired with a simple, delicious tomato sauce; a recipe that’s accessible, fun, and perfect for all skill levels.

Our students' response was incredible. Over 80 students applied to take part, and 21 were selected to join the record-breaking attempt. The group included a fantastic mix of year groups, and students eagerly stepped out of their comfort zones, partnering with peers from different years. It created an atmosphere of collaboration, learning, and connection.

And we didn’t just break the record - we absolutely smashed it. More than 700 schools participated, setting a new global benchmark with an estimated 15,000 participants. To make the day even more memorable, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver joined the lesson live, chatting with students and sharing his passion for pasta. When we asked Jamie what his favourite pasta was, he dove into an impromptu segment celebrating all things pasta, a real highlight for everyone involved.

The event was a record-breaking moment, a chance to learn new skills, and, best of all, provided a delicious meal to share at the end. We’re grateful to Jamie Oliver and the event organisers for giving us the opportunity to be part of such a special day. 

If you'd like to recreate the pasta dish we made, here is the recipe!

We warmly invite you and your child to explore Churchill Academy & Sixth Form at our Open Evening on Wednesday 24th September 2025, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm.

Starting secondary school is an exciting step for Year 6 students. At Churchill, we are committed to providing an exceptional education, built on our core values of kindness, curiosity, and determination. This commitment leads to a supportive and engaging environment to help your child make this important transition with confidence.

What to Expect at Our Open Evening

We’ve designed our Open Evening to give you and your child a true sense of life at Churchill. You’ll have the chance to:

·         Tour Our Facilities: Enjoy student-led tours and experience Churchill through the eyes of our students.

·         Hear from the Headteacher: Learn about our vision, values, and what makes Churchill unique. Presentations will take place at 5:15pm and 6:15pm.

·         Meet Our Staff: Speak with teachers and support staff about subjects, school life, and the transition to secondary school. Ask any questions you may have.

To help manage arrival times and ensure a great experience for everyone, please book a time slot that suits your arrival. One ticket covers your whole family.

If you arrive outside your booked time, don’t worry — our team will still warmly welcome you. The event is free to attend.

We recommend choosing an arrival time that allows you to attend the Headteacher’s talk. This will give you plenty of time to explore the Academy and meet our staff and students afterwards.

On-site parking is available, but spaces may be limited. Additional on-street parking is nearby if needed.

Don’t miss out, reserve your tickets here!

Last week, 21 Year 12 A Level Biology students took part in an exciting residential field trip to Nettlecombe Court, a Field Studies Centre nestled on the edge of Somerset and Exmoor. This invaluable experience enabled students to explore ecological sampling techniques far beyond the scope of what can be offered in a classroom setting.

Over the three-day visit, students developed their fieldwork skills through a variety of hands-on investigations. These included freshwater studies using stone washing and kick sampling in streams and rivers on Exmoor, as well as examining zonation patterns on the rocky shore at Watchet—an ideal opportunity for some enthusiastic rock pooling!

They also explored methods for assessing the distribution of grassland species, deepening their understanding of biodiversity and habitats. One of the trip's highlights was the opportunity to set small overnight mammal traps—students were thrilled to discover that three wood mice had visited during the night!

Beyond the science, the trip offered plenty of time to relax, socialise with peers and students from other schools and even take part in a bit of yoga. Crucially, students also completed two key required practical tasks during the trip, ensuring they continue to meet the demands of the A Level Biology specification.

Earlier this year, Rowan reached the Future Chef Regional Final, where he showcased his impressive skills against strong competition from across the region, and advanced to the Somerset round of the Future Junior Chef Competition. 

At the South West Chef Regional Final, Rowan got every component spot on, served on time with great presentation and was particularly praised for his cleanliness in the kitchen. The judges were very complimentary about his dishes, and, despite not winning the competition, the judges made it clear to Rowan that he was a top contender.

This is a fantastic achievement and a testament to his dedication and growing culinary talent. We can’t wait to see where his culinary journey takes him next!