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Churchill Academy & Sixth Form

Academy News

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  • Children’s Author, Alastair Chisholm, Visits the Academy

    Published 14/11/25

    This week, our Year 7 students were visited by children's author Alastair Chisholm. Alastair is currently touring schools in Bristol and North Somerset to promote the importance of reading amongst young people.  

    As a writer of science fiction stories, Alastair discussed his fascination with unusual inventions and how the most important inventions are the art of storytelling, with their power to change the world. 

    Alastair discussed the importance of reading, immersing oneself in a different world, and using that to gain new perspectives, experiences, and ideas. He set our Year 7 students three great missions to take forward: 

    1. Read lots of Sci-Fi

    2. Find problems to solve

    3. Create your own stories 

    Alastair is known for his books 'I am Wolf', 'The Consequence Girl' and his 'Dragon Storm' series. His latest book 'Reek' has already won six awards! 

    We would like to extend a massive thank you to Alastair for visiting the Academy. It was a fantastic experience and we can't wait to read more of his stories in the future!

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  • Churchill Students Shine at Local Future Chef 2026 Heat

    Published 14/11/25

    Rowan (Year 11) and Lola (Year 9) represented Churchill in the Local Heat of Future Chef 2026 on Thursday 13th November at City of Bristol College. Both students impressed the judges and were outstanding ambassadors for the Academy.

    Lola, the youngest competitor in the heat, won the competition and will now progress to the Regional Final at Bridgwater College in January. The judges praised her calm demeanour, excellent organisation, and the story behind her fantastic dish.

    Rowan also delivered an exceptional plate of food, finishing in the top three. Both students had dedicated many hours of practice at home and their hard work truly paid off.

    This marks the third consecutive year that the Academy has won this round of the competition, a testament to the talent and dedication of our young chefs!

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  • Academy Sports Rundown: 14th November 2025

    Published 14/11/25

    It was a busy week for sport at the Academy as we saw plenty of Netball, Football and Rugby take place. Read how we got on below:

    Year 7 & 8 Netball finished the week against Priory 

    Our Year 7 and 8 Netball teams took an opportunity to play against Priory last Friday, putting into practice all the skills they have been learning at their Netball Club. The team is looking great and we can’t wait to see how they get on in an upcoming tournament at the beginning of December. 

    U14 Football Win Cup Game on Penalties

    Our latest U14 Football Cup game came down to the wire this week. Their game started off a struggle, sixty minutes in our Year 9 students were tied 1-1 with Holyrood School. Churchill was dominating possession but began to struggle in the final third however they managed to hold off Holyrood’s strong team to take the game to penalties.  

    In a thrilling penalty shoot-out, our Year 9 boys took home the victory after Lucas scored the winning shot, finishing the game 4-3 to Churchill. Congratulations to every student who played in the cup, it’s been an excellent cup run!

    Victory for our Year 8 Netball Team

    Following their games against Priory last week, our Year 7 and 8 Netball teams returned this week to play Backwell School. Our Year 7 students put in a great performance, continuing to refine their netball skills for the upcoming tournament. The Player of the Match award was given to Elvie for her incredible progress. 

    Our Year 8 team played a fantastic game, coming away victorious with a final score of 14-8. The Player of the Match award was given to Jess for her outstanding performance throughout the game. 

    Well done everybody!

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  • Acting Through Song Masterclass Inspires Performing Arts Students

    Published 14/11/25

    This week, Tim and Rob from the Bath Academy of Musical Theatre delivered an engaging Acting Through Song masterclass for some of our talented performing arts students.

    The session offered an immersive exploration of how vocal performance and emotional expression work together to bring a character’s story to life. Students were encouraged to connect more deeply with their material, strengthening both their technique and their confidence.

    A huge thank you to the Bath Academy of Musical Theatre for visiting the Academy and sharing their expertise. Our students left feeling inspired and more prepared than ever for their upcoming production of Legally Blonde: The Musical, in January 2026.

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  • Our Dance Star of the Week is Isabelle

    Published 14/11/25

    Isabelle's confidence and enthusiasm shine through in every dance lesson and rehearsal. She always gives 100% effort and demonstrates a consistent desire to make progress. 

    It is clear to see that Isabelle loves performing and her passion for Performing Arts makes her a pleasure to teach. Well done!

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  • A Spooktacular Bake Off to Remember

    Published 14/11/25

    This year’s annual Spooktacular Bake Off was our biggest and best yet, with an overwhelming number of imaginative entries from our students.

    Working with a £5 budget, students were challenged to create a spooky Halloween-inspired dish. The results were outstanding from haunted houses and spider cakes to eerie graveyard bakes, the creativity on display was nothing short of impressive. It certainly made judging a tough task for our Food & Nutrition department.

    A huge well done to every student who took part. Your imagination, skill, and Halloween spirit made this year’s competition truly unforgettable.

    Our list of winners are:

    Tudor
    1st - Xavier and Maelys
    2nd - Meg
    3rd - Freddie

    Windsor
    1st - Lucy
    2nd - Lyra
    3rd - Seb

    Stuart
    1st - Lucas
    2nd - Izzy
    3rd - Pippa

    Lancaster 
    1st - Will

    Hanover
    1st - Holly
    2nd - Joseph
    3rd - Oliver

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  • Academy Spreads Early Christmas Cheer with Shoebox Drive

    Published 13/11/25

    Christmas came early at the Academy this year as students and staff got involved in our Christmas Shoebox drive. Together, students wrapped, sorted, and collected gifts, filling 55 shoeboxes to bring joy to children living in poverty.

    This year, the Academy is supporting two fantastic charities, Blythswood Care and Samaritan’s Purse, both of which provide vital support to families in need.

    A huge thank you to everyone who contributed. Your generosity has helped make the festive season brighter for many children and families.

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  • GCSE and A Level Music trip to watch the Bournemouth Symphony

    Published 13/11/25

    This week, our GCSE and A Level Music students took a trip to the Bristol Beacon to see BBC Young Musician winner, Jess Gillam, play with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. 

    For the majority of students, it was their first time experiencing a full orchestra live, and it was every bit as spectacular as they hoped it would be. Our students were seated behind the orchestra, providing them with a unique behind-the-scenes perspective of the show, including a view of the conductor and the process of controlling the symphony. 

    A highlight of the evening was Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique, which sounded every bit as bizarre and dazzling as it did when it premiered in 1830. 

    It was an incredible evening that provided our students with new insights and inspiration. 

     

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  • Year 10 Geographers Shine at the Worldwise Quiz

    Published 13/11/25

    Congratulations to our talented Year 10 Geographers who represented the Academy at the Geographical Association Worldwide Quiz, held at Bristol University on Wednesday.

    Competing against 15 other schools from across the Bristol area, our two teams placed 9th and 14th, demonstrating impressive geographical knowledge and teamwork throughout the evening.

    Both teams were fantastic ambassadors for the school, showcasing their enthusiasm and passion for geography. Well done to everyone involved, a brilliant achievement!

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  • Kooth Webinar for Families: Smartphone Safety and Cyberbullying

    Published 13/11/25

    Kooth is hosting a free 45-minute webinar for families on Thursday 20th November at 6pm, focusing on smartphone safety and cyberbullying.

    The session will be led by experts who will share practical tips on how to help children manage online challenges, recognise the signs of cyberbullying, and understand the necessary actions to take.

    Topics covered will include:

    • How smartphones capture and hold young people’s attention

    • The pressures they may feel to stay online

    • What cyberbullying can look like

    • The impact of social media and online behaviour

    • How parents can help children stay safe and positive online

    • Information about Kooth (for young people) and Qwell (for parents and carers)

    This is a fantastic opportunity for families to learn more about creating a safe and supportive digital space.

    Sign up here!

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  • Performing Arts Students Inspired by Mamma Mia! at the Bristol Hippodrome

    Published 13/11/25

    A group of lucky students joined our Performing Arts department on a fantastic trip to the Bristol Hippodrome this week for the opening night of Mamma Mia! 

    It was truly a night to remember, filled with energy, excitement and plenty of ABBA classics that had everyone singing along.  The students were captivated by the performances and staging, gaining fresh inspiration to bring to their own upcoming production.

     

    This new creative spark will be put to great use as preparations begin for Legally Blonde: The Musical, which will take to The Playhouse stage in February 2026. Keep an eye out for ticket details, it’s sure to be a show you won’t want to miss!

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  • Year 9 Students Explore the World of Cyber Security

    Published 13/11/25

    Our Year 9 students had an exciting and inspiring visit to Cyber Horizons, where they gained insight into what it’s like to work in the world of technology and cybersecurity.

    The day began with hands-on sessions learning how to hack systems and crack a safe, followed by activities in coding and exploring how AI is used in the police force. After lunch, students had great fun programming robot spheres to race around a room, before finishing the day with a fascinating session on creating and understanding computer viruses.

    Students particularly enjoyed the safe-cracking challenge and robot programming, describing them as the highlights of an action-packed day. It was a fantastic opportunity to develop digital skills and spark interest in future careers in tech. We’re already looking forward to next year’s visit!

     

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