Academy News

Over the past six months, work has been underway to develop an exciting new farm project at Churchill Academy & Sixth Form in collaboration with the local community and businesses. The aim of the project is to create an on-site learning space that supports students on the Community Pathway and those with SEND, providing meaningful, hands-on experiences as part of their structured curriculum.

The project will begin on a small scale with the Wheat Project, before gradually expanding to include vegetable growing and, in time, animals. As the farm develops over the coming years, students will gain a deeper understanding of agriculture and food production. To further enhance learning, equipment famously used in the Clarkson’s Farm television series will be brought onto the school site, demonstrating how modern farming has evolved and inspiring the next generation to consider careers in agriculture.

Students will also have the opportunity to visit local farms, including Farm Link, where they will learn practical skills to help develop the Academy’s farm. These experiences will play a key role in building confidence, independence and real-world understanding.

The first stage of the project involves completing a soil sample to determine what crops will grow best on the land. Local farmers visited the Academy this week with their digger to support Year 10 Community students in carrying out soil testing. This marks an exciting beginning to a project that will offer students valuable opportunities to learn outside the classroom and engage meaningfully with their local community.

We want to say a massive thank you to Stagecoach Weston-Super-Mare for sponsoring our production of Legally Blonde: The Musical. Their support ensures we can continue putting on productions to a professional standard.

Who is Stagecoach Weston-super-Mare?

Stagecoach Weston-super-Mare is a Performing Arts School for children and young people aged 4 - 19, teaching the core Musical Theatre skills of singing, dance, and acting. 

From the youngest students taking first steps on their performing arts journey, right through to advanced performers looking to hone their craft and prepare for a career in the arts, Stagecoach is an inclusive, friendly community where everyone is welcome.

Early Stages (ages 4-6) take part in 90-minute lessons, and Main/Further Stages (ages 6-19) take part in 3-hour sessions with experienced tutors. The Stagecoach tutors have all trained/performed professionally and undertake the highest possible level of Safeguarding training and DBS checks - so you know that your child is in safe hands.

All age groups perform in at least one show per year. Children in the Main & Further Stages also have the opportunity to attend events at regional theatres and Stagecoach’s annual West End showcase, which is always a highlight of the year!

Location: Winterstoke Hundred Academy, Locking Parklands, Weston-super-Mare BS24 7NN

Days/Times: Friday evenings & Saturday mornings (during term-time)

Summer Workshops: usually the first week in August, we put on a show in a week - see website for details

Stagecoach Weston-super-Mare offers a two-week trial for children who want to try the classes. To sign up and find more, visit:

Website: https://www.stagecoach.co.uk/westonsupermare

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StagecoachWeston

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stagecoachweston

Another busy week in sports at the Academy. Read how we got on below:

A Victorious Afternoon for KS4 Hockey

Our KS4 Hockey Team took on two schools this week and secured the victory in BOTH games.  The first match was against Clevedon School, a fantastic demonstration of their Hockey skills won them the match 2-0.  Up next was Nailsea School, who put up a strong fight, but ultimately our hockey team walked away with a 2-1 win. 

The players of the match were Theo, Isis, and Laura. Well done! 

A Rainy Afternoon at the Somerset Football Cup

Our U13 Football team continued their run in the Somerset Cup this week. In horrific weather conditions, the team poured their all into the match against a strong Oldfield School team, securing a gritty 5-1 victory! 

A Full Team Effort in the Somerset Rugby Cup

Our U14 Rugby team faced Kings of Wessex in the Somerset Rugby Cup this week.  It was an exciting match with Churchill coming from behind twice to share the points and a vital tackle by Harry at the end of the match to secure possession.  The entire team of 20 players had a chance on the pitch, ultimately securing us a place in the quarter-finals!

Churchill’s Young Musician of the Year Competition promises to be an inspiring evening as seven exceptionally talented students take to the stage to showcase their musical abilities. Audiences can look forward to a varied and engaging programme, celebrating the dedication and skill of young musicians from the local community.

The competition will be held on Wednesday 28th January 2026 at 6.00pm in St John’s Church, Churchill. Friends, family and music lovers are warmly invited to attend and support the performers.

Tickets are priced at £9.00 per person, with under 18s free. Tickets can be purchased in advance by emailing holly@churchillmusic.org.uk, or they will be available to buy on the door.

A range of prizes will be awarded, including the prestigious Ursula Dornton Vocal Prize. In addition to these awards, the competition winners will have the opportunity to represent Churchill at the District Final of the Rotary Young Musician Competition 2026, making this a significant and exciting event for all involved.

Our Year 9 students took a significant step toward their futures this week as part of our annual Careers to Curriculum Day. Designed to help Year 9 students prepare for their upcoming GCSE choices, the day offered a hands-on look at various career options and pathways.

With nine career pathways to choose from, students could explore a wide range of career options. Each pathway was packed with engaging activities to give students a taste of the possibilities ahead.

Students who chose creative pathways tried their hand at journalism, fashion design, and media marketing, while others explored trades by plumbing a sink, learning how a bike is constructed, and how to maintain it—acquiring valuable life skills.

The digital technology pathway allowed students to dive into game testing and code-cracking. Those passionate about environmental roles, travel, and tourism tackled conservation challenges and disaster management.

In the healthcare-focused pathway, students explored NHS careers, sports nutrition, and debated real-world medical ethics. Meanwhile, the social sciences pathway introduced students to criminology, sociology, and political campaigning, even simulating a courtroom session.

The day also featured a special visit from Matt Lord, Regional Executive Chef for Compass Catering. Students attending Chef Matt Lord’s workshop with Compass, who provided all the ingredients, made a pizzetta and chose their own fillings from pepperoni, cheese, tomatoes, mushrooms, and basil. Chef Matt Lord provided valuable insight into the catering world and the opportunities it offers. The workshops were an invaluable opportunity for the students, who left feeling more inspired.

The day allowed musical students to explore music, theatre and technology, experimenting with roles as directors, producers, and performers while producing their own music.

We hope our students left the day inspired and informed, with a better understanding of the exciting possibilities ahead. A huge thank you goes to Matt Lord, Compass Catering and everyone who contributed to making the day such a valuable experience.