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Churchill Academy & Sixth Form

Academy News

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  • Freddie Wins ‘Best Cameo’ at Somerset Drama Awards

    Published 12/03/26

    Freddie, a Year 7 student, has been awarded ‘Best Cameo’ at the Somerset Fellowship of Drama 1st David Beach Awards. The ceremony took place at The Batch Country House Hotel on Friday, 6th March.

    He received the award for his moving portrayal of Freddie in PQA Weston-super-Mare’s (Pauline Quirke Academy) production of We Will Rock You, performed at The Playhouse Theatre in Weston-super-Mare, where he opened the final number of Bohemian Rhapsody. The show also earned accolades for Best Musical Direction and Best Ensemble.

    Congratulations to Freddie and all the students who brought this spectacular show to life!

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  • Year 13 Students Explore Science and Quality Control at Thatchers

    Published 12/03/26

    Today, our Year 13 Applied Science and Food Science students visited Thatchers for an in-depth tour of the business. They attended a talk by Dave Sweet, a former Churchill A-Level Biology student and Thatchers’ Quality Manager, who explained the company’s Quality Control, Quality Assurance, product testing and production processes.

    The visit directly supports our Applied Science Unit 21 coursework, which challenges students to research legislation and apply it to practical activities in quality control and food product testing.

    Students also had the opportunity to meet other former Churchill students, including Mike Simpson, who is completing a Quality Apprenticeship at Thatchers while attending university as part of his training. The trip offered a fantastic insight into the work of Thatchers and the career paths available in food science and quality management.

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  • Academy Sports Rundown: 13th March 2026

    Published 12/03/26

    This week saw a range of sports from Football to Cricket and Netball. Read how they got on below. 

    Our U13 IPL Cricket Team Progress to the Finals

    Our U13 IPL Cricket Team had the match of a lifetime this week, making it clear to everybody why they are the team to watch out for in the finals of the IPL Cricket League. Good luck! 

    U14 Girls Football Team keep Oldfield on their toes

    Our U14 girls football team faced off with Oldfield this week, they showed their impressive skill and hard work throughout the match, keeping a solid 1-1 score until the final two minutes of the game. Unfortunately, Oldfield did take the victory as the Academy conceded two goals in the final two minutes of the game.  

    Year 11 Netball showcase their rock, paper, scissors success at Netball Tournament

    Our Year 11 Netball team may not have had a successful afternoon on the court, as they faced a tough opposition who unfortunately took the win, but they certainly made sure to take victory in the battle of rock, paper, scissors.   

    Sienna was named player of the tournament for her determination throughout. Meanwhile, Fran was named Player of the ‘Game’ for winning every round of rock, paper, scissors. Well done! 

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  • Year 8 Students Shine at Babcock Festival of Engineering

    Published 12/03/26

    On Wednesday, a group of  Year 8 students visited the Babcock Festival of Engineering in Frenchay. They tackled hands-on challenges such as building a model boat from cardboard, constructing a bridge from paper and straws and designing a robot to see how far it could move in 10 seconds.

    Students also explored a customised Toyota Land Cruiser, learning about its military adaptations. They engaged with other companies on-site, including the Royal Navy, trying out remote-controlled equipment. The event, led mainly by graduate trainees, gave students insight into career pathways at Babcock.

    Special congratulations to Eden and Caitlin, who were named students of the day and each won a £50 voucher!

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  • Year 7 Star Shines on Nottingham Fashion Catwalk

    Published 12/03/26

    Lilly-Rose, a Year 7 student, made her catwalk debut at a fashion event in Nottingham last weekend. She impressed the audience with her confidence and skill, leaving a lasting impression. Following her stunning performance, Lilly-Rose is set to take on more opportunities in the fashion world. Well done!

     

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  • Year 7 Students Enjoy a Day at Jamie’s Farm

    Published 06/03/26

    Some of our Year 7 students had the exciting opportunity to spend a day at Jamie’s Farm in Bath. The trip offered an immersive experience filled with fun and skill-building activities, including helping to birth lambs, caring for calves and cows, feeding the horses, cooking a meal, wood chopping and even making coasters!

    We were impressed by how well the students represented the academy; special shout-outs go to Joey, Riley, Albert, Elijah, Jenson, and Oli for their outstanding participation.

    Students described the trip as “10/10!”, “really fun and exciting”, and “there is nothing I didn’t like.” A truly memorable experience for all!

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  • Legally Blonde: The Musical - A Review by Director, Symon Buckley

    Published 06/03/26

    “Wow! Wow! Wow! What a show!”

    Those words have echoed again and again through the reviews and the many lovely emails we’ve received since the curtain fell. And truly, they belong to every single person who played a part in bringing this production to life.

    From the moment we decided to take this show on, we knew it would be unlike anything we had attempted before. The score is one of the most complex we have encountered. The set changes and stage management often felt like a high-stakes game of Tetris at level 50. Costume changes were choreographed with such precision that the audience barely noticed them happening, and the demands placed on our performers were immense. Every role required a true “triple threat”: powerful vocals, exceptional performance skills and the kind of boundless energy that could rival an Energiser Bunny.

    And yet, watching the finished production, you would never have guessed the scale of the challenge behind it all. What the audience saw was talent, confidence and a performance that moved with such ease and flow that it felt effortless.

    This is a testament to the extraordinary dedication of our entire team and the strength of our community. From performers to backstage crews, musicians to volunteers, supporters to audiences — this production was the result of a huge collective effort, and it showed in every moment on stage. We couldn’t be prouder of what was achieved together.

    Our week at The Playhouse Theatre was a real reflection of the spirit of our Legally Blonde family. The first day required a great deal of patience from everyone, particularly given the sheer size of the set and the technical demands involved. Yet even then, we sensed we were part of something special. When we successfully transformed a full courtroom scene into a bathroom with 100 people on stage, it felt nothing short of remarkable.

    This production truly was a team effort. Every element fitted together brilliantly, and without the positive mindset and relentless pursuit of excellence from everyone involved, we would never have created such an outstanding piece of work. 

    There are so many highlights I could mention, and I’m sure everyone who watched or took part has their own favourite moment, whether it made you laugh, or brought a tear of pride to your eye.

    For me, one moment stands above the rest. On Friday night, when the safety curtain came down, both casts came together. There were hugs, cheers and more than a few tears. I have never seen a celebration quite like it. In that moment, they knew they had achieved something truly special, something that every single person involved could be immensely proud of.

    As I have always said, we are as one and in that moment, we truly were. We learnt from each other, supported one another, celebrated each other’s successes and I am certain the friendships and memories made will stay with us for many years to come.

    Finally, we would like to thank our wonderful community for its continued support. The feedback we have received has been incredibly uplifting, and it has been a joy to share those kind words with the students who worked so hard to bring this production to life.

    - Mr Buckley, Director

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  • Mr Hildrew Becomes the Head of Fish for Exciting Competition

    Published 06/03/26

    Mr Hildrew recently delivered an exciting cooking demonstration to a Year 8 class, showcasing how to prepare a delicious dish of Roasted Salmon with Lemon and Coriander Couscous. The session was part of the National Head of Fish competition run by the Fish Heroes programme, which encourages young people to learn about cooking and enjoying seafood in a sustainable way.

    During the demonstration, students were able to watch the preparation process step-by-step and picked up a range of useful cooking tips along the way. From seasoning the salmon to preparing the couscous, the class gained practical insights into how simple ingredients can be turned into a delicious and healthy meal.

    The reaction from students was overwhelmingly positive. Many rated the dish “10/10,” with one student describing it as “banging.” Another student admitted they didn’t think they liked salmon before the session but discovered they actually enjoyed it after trying the dish.

    The demonstration not only introduced students to new flavours but also helped build confidence around trying and preparing seafood.

    A big thank you goes to Mr Hildrew for giving his time, energy and enthusiasm to inspire the class. We now have our fingers crossed for success in the competition, where the prize is £100 worth of fish for the school.

     

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  • Exciting Progress for the Churchill Student Farm Project

    Published 06/03/26

    The Churchill Farm project is well underway, with students already involved in a range of hands-on and exciting developments.

    So far, they have taken soil samples, measured out the area for growing indigenous wheat crops and ploughed the furrows using a 1956 tractor. Seeds have been carefully sown both by hand and with a traditional planter, and creative scarecrows have been made to help protect the growing crops.

    Looking ahead, students will help shape the next stages of the project with their own ideas. Plans already being discussed include building a brick pizza oven and eventually milling their homegrown wheat to make pizza bases.

    To support the project, donations of wellington boots (size 4 upwards) and gardening gloves for our students would be greatly appreciated and can be handed into reception.

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  • Spring Concert 2026: Don’t miss out!

    Published 06/03/26

    The annual Spring Concert is a spectacular celebration of our music ensembles, with students from all years performing together and it returns to the Academy on Wednesday 1st April 2026, 7-9pm. 

    The evening will feature performances by all of our amazing extra-curricular ensembles plus some special solo appearances. There will be a wide variety of styles ranging from garage rock to Beethoven via the inimitable soul of the Soul Band.

    Proceeds from this event will raise funds for the Performing Arts faculty, helping to update and maintain equipment and resources. This will directly benefit us in lessons and also help us do more performances and events like these in the future!

    You'll certainly be dazzled at the commitment and talent of our students here at Churchill Academy & Sixth Form. 

    Please note that this is a ticketed event, and there will not be any availability on the door.

    Don't miss out on this fabulous evening, tickets go on sale at 3pm on Friday 6th March here

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  • Academy Sports Rundown: 6th March 2026

    Published 06/03/26

    Another busy week for sports at the Academy, with the Hockey season in full swing. Read how we got on below: 

    Academy Wins Three Gold Medals at the North Somerset Swimming Gala 

    Our swim team put in performances of a lifetime at the North Somerset Swim Gala last week. We had students from all year groups taking part in several different events throughout the morning. The event was a success for the Academy as we won gold in the 100m, 50m Freestyle and Senior Boys Relay events. Absolutely incredible, well done everybody! 

    Year 8 Hockey Success Against Clevedon

    Our Year 8 Hockey team put their skills to the test this week, facing a strong Clevedon School. Students were motivated by the sunshine, pushing themselves to an incredible 3-1 victory. Well done! 

    Year 7 & 8 Continue Their Hockey Success 

    Our joint Year 7 & 8 team took on Clevedon School once again, putting on a fantastic match and winning once again with a final score of 4-1. Amazing! 

    U14 Girls Football Move Through to the Semi-Finals 

    Our U14 Girls Football team has been dominating the Girls Football Tournament, securing yet another victory against Bishop Fox’s School 3-1. This victory moves them through to the semi-finals of the tournament, where they will face Oldfield. Good luck!

    Year 9 Hockey Face Off Against Clevedon 

    Our Year 9 Football team worked hard, putting in strong tackles and making committed runs. Unfortunately, whilst they conceded a goal early in the first half, going on to valiantly fight in the second half and defending lots of shots by the opposition, they were unable to equalise. They finished the match 0-1 to Clevedon.  

    Player of the Match was awarded to Amy for her incredible goalkeeping! 

    Year 10 Netball Finish Their Tournament Run 

    Our Year 10 Netball team pulled together in beautiful conditions to put in an excellent team performance in the final round of the North Somerset Netball Tournament.  Facing several strong teams, they ended the tournament in fourth place. 

    Player of the Match was awarded to Erin, well done! 

     

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  • World Book Day Celebrations at the Academy

    Published 06/03/26

    The Academy celebrated World Book Day with a fun-filled day of fancy dress, free books and a special virtual author visit. This year, the English department focused on the incredible story of The Hobbit, with staff getting creative with their outfits.

    Meanwhile, a Year 8 class enjoyed a virtual visit from award-winning author Nathanael Lessore, known for books such as King of Nothing and Against All Odds. Nathanael gave an inspiring talk about what books mean to him and offered tips on becoming an author.

    Students also enjoyed picking up free books from the library, heading home with new stories to dive into over the weekend. Digital World Book Day tokens are available online here for everyone to access.

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