Academy News

This week, Korean Club put their culinary skills to the test, making kimbap! They watched a demonstration before they formed their own and got to tasting. They had to be careful not to overfill their seaweed wraps with rice and other ingredients to prevent them from bursting when rolled up.  

Whilst it may look like Sushi, Kimbap is a distinct Korean dish. Unlike sushi, kimbap rice is seasoned with sesame oil and filled with cooked ingredients, making it a tasty and savoury picnic food. In contrast, sushi rice is seasoned with vinegar and often features raw fish.

Korean Club meets every Wednesday lunchtime in L6, come along and explore this incredible culture with us!

As part of this week’s English High Attainers programme, 17 students from Years 8 to 10 joined Mr Grimmett’s Year 12 English Literature class to explore the supernatural elements in The Turn of the Screw by Henry James.

Working in pairs with Sixth Form students, they engaged in thoughtful and collaborative discussions. Together, they identified key quotations, analysed literary techniques and explored characters in greater depth. It was fantastic to see such strong teamwork and enthusiasm across year groups.

The opportunity to experience A-Level Literature gave younger students an exciting insight into advanced study, and many spoke afterwards about how much they enjoyed the intellectually stimulating experience.

This week, members of the Student Council met with staff from Aspens to discuss various aspects of the Academy’s catering provision. The meeting covered a wide range of topics, including dining areas, healthy options, menus, pricing, biometrics, queuing, communication and meal chips.

The discussion was highly positive, with students confidently sharing their ideas and feedback. Their contributions highlighted thoughtful suggestions for improving menu choices, enhancing communication, and creating a better dining experience overall.

The Academy will now work closely with Aspens to review these suggestions and explore what can be implemented in the coming months. Updates will be shared with the Student Council as progress is made.

Well done to all the students involved for their confidence, curiosity and valuable input!

Luke has made a brilliant start to Dance in Year 7. He puts in full effort every lesson and is a brilliant leader in group work tasks. He has also wowed us with his impressive tap dancing skills. Well done!

The next installment of the Churchill Farm Project has arrived at the Academy.  Students have embraced the arrival of tree planting season with enthusiasm this week, planting apple trees, made possible through a donation from family cider maker’s Thatchers. 

In total, 10 apple trees have been introduced as part of the Thatchers Community Orchard Project. This nationwide initiative, active during the 2026 planting season, supports schools, charities, and community groups across the UK in growing more trees and encouraging environmental stewardship.

The project has provided students with valuable, hands-on learning opportunities. They have explored topics such as ideal growing conditions, site preparation, and land management. Students were also guided by Thatchers’ Farm Manager, who shared expert advice on how to plant and care for the trees properly.

Looking ahead, the orchard will continue to play an important role in the Academy. We plan to incorporate the six different apple varieties into Food Technology and Science lessons later in this year, giving students the chance to see the full journey from planting to harvest and even further along to the table.

This initiative not only enhances our environment but also deepens students’ understanding of sustainability, agriculture, and food production in a practical and engaging way. We want to say a massive thank you to Thatchers for the donation! 

Stay tuned for the next installment of our farm project.

A selection of students from Years 9-13 recently had the incredible opportunity to attend a performance of The Greatest Showman at the Bristol Hippodrome and what an experience it was!

As only the third performance of this spectacular show ever staged, anticipation was high, and the sell-out audience was certainly not left disappointed. From the moment the curtain rose, the production delivered an electrifying atmosphere filled with energy, passion and outstanding professionalism.

The creative team brought something truly breathtaking to the stage, pushing boundaries with bold, high-risk moments and astonishing circus skills that would have made P. T. Barnum himself proud. Every element of the production worked seamlessly to create a visually stunning and emotionally powerful performance.

The lead performers were simply exceptional, showcasing remarkable talent and presence. It was clear to see why they are so highly respected within the musical theatre world, as they captivated the audience from start to finish.

This production was more than just a show,  it was a true celebration of the arts and a powerful reminder of why we should never be afraid to try something different and push creative boundaries.

Although we were unable to take photos due to the performance being part of preview fortnight (with strict rules to keep the production’s surprises under wraps), the memories of this extraordinary evening will certainly stay with us for a long time.

Every student who attended was an absolute credit to themselves and to Churchill Academy & Sixth Form. They whooped and clapped as loudly as anyone, behaved impeccably throughout, and even managed not to rustle their sweet wrappers too much!

A truly inspiring trip for all involved!