Academy News

On Monday, our A Level Religious Education students attended a conference on Buddhism organised by University of Bristol. The event featured a range of lectures and seminars exploring topics such as gender, philosophy and Buddhist teachings.

Students also took part in practical experiences, including trying Soto Zen calligraphy and participating in meditation. The day provided both students and staff with a thought-provoking and enjoyable opportunity to deepen their understanding of the subject.

We are incredibly proud to celebrate the recent success of former student Casper, who left school in 2024 and went on to earn a rugby scholarship at Hartpury College. Since then, his progress has been outstanding.

This weekend, Casper represented the Bristol Bears Under-18s in the Premiership Finals, where they secured a thrilling 38–36 victory over Bath Rugby Under-18s at Kingsholm Stadium. The Bristol Bears Academy, representing the smallest catchment area in England, are now officially champions for the 2025–2026 URC season, a remarkable achievement that makes Casper’s contribution even more special.

Adding to this achievement, Casper has recently been called up to join the England Under-18 40-player training squad ahead of preparations for the Under-18 Six Nations Festival.

It is fantastic to see a local player and former pupil progressing through the ranks and performing on such a prestigious stage. Everyone at the Academy and Winscombe RFC wishes Casper continued success in what promises to be an exciting rugby career.

Pippa and Maëlys proudly represented the Academy in the Springboard FutureChef Bake Off, where they demonstrated impressive creativity and skill. 

As part of the competition, they were tasked with preparing a savoury quiche while carefully considering seasonality and minimising food waste. A key requirement was to make full use of ingredients, including vegetable peelings. Embracing this challenge, Pippa and Maëlys worked diligently to plan and prepare their dishes, ensuring every component was used thoughtfully and sustainably.

Throughout the process, they carefully documented each stage of creating their savoury quiches and explained the reasoning behind their choice of ingredients. Their commitment to both the practical and reflective aspects of the competition showcased their strong understanding of sustainable cooking and culinary techniques.

The result was a fantastic final product that reflected their hard work, creativity and attention to detail. Although they were not placed in the competition, their outstanding effort, determination and commitment to producing exceptional dishes were truly commendable.

Well done to Pippa and Maëlys for their excellent achievement and for representing the Academy with such enthusiasm and professionalism.

Our sports teams have been showcasing their skills once again, read how they got on this week below. 

U14 Girls Football Team Test Out A New Pitch 

Our U14 Girls Football team took on the next round of the Somerset Football Cup, testing out a new type of football pitch that we have named “The Mud Pitch”!  Unfortunately, the tricky conditions made it a difficult match. We look forward to trying again in the next match after half term! 

U15 IPL Cricket Team Take Another Step Towards The Finals 

Our U15 IPL Cricket Team had yet another incredible game this week, pushing their skills and efforts to the maximum to bring home the victory. The team is now just one game away from the County Ground Finals in Taunton. Well done!

Meg, Ruby and Nino took on the important role of ball technicians for Bristol Bears Women on Saturday afternoon. The trio carried out their responsibilities with confidence, ensuring that play continued without interruption.

After the match, Meg, Ruby and Nino were given the exciting opportunity to meet the players, making the experience even more memorable. It was a rewarding day for all three, combining teamwork, responsibility and the chance to connect with the team!