Churchill Academy & Sixth Form is proud to announce that its Year 11 students have achieved the school's best GCSE exam results since 2018. The outstanding performance of the Class of 2025 cohort marks a significant milestone, showcasing a remarkable level of dedication and commitment to academic excellence from both students and staff.
Students at Churchill Academy & Sixth Form are celebrating their A-level results following years of hard work and determination to succeed.
Chris Hildrew, Headteacher at Churchill Academy & Sixth Form, commented:
“The A-level results this year are a true reflection of our students' determination and effort, and we couldn't be prouder of their achievements. The results are also a testament to the ongoing work and commitment of our Sixth Form staff to provide students with a unique learning experience that prepares them for life after school. Students continue to excel in Art and Design, including Textiles, as well as in Religious Studies, Economics, Music Technology, Mathematics, Psychology, Spanish and Physics, highlighting success across the comprehensive and wide-ranging curriculum offered at Churchill. We know the effort behind every grade and we extend our warmest congratulations to every student on their achievements today.”
In the Academy’s latest Ofsted Report, which was released in June 2025, its Sixth Form provision is described as having a “comprehensive approach to preparing pupils for life beyond school”, with sixth form students progressing to “destinations that align with their interests and aspirations”. The latest results confirm that many of Churchill’s students have secured their university place, many of which are their first-choice destination.
Among the many outstanding achievements are Adam Barringer who achieved four A* grades at A-level. Adam will be going on to study Chemistry at the University of Manchester. Ellie Gooch secured a place at St Peter’s College, Oxford to study Politics, Philosophy and Economics with two A*s and an A; Lily Wiltshire also achieved A*A*A to secure a place at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford to read Law; and Sam Bugler also achieved A*A*A and will study Mathematics at UCL. Samuil Vasilev achieved straight A* and A grades and will go on to study Medicine at the University of Exeter. Similarly achieving straight A* and A grades were: Tom Vangasse (Computer Science at Loughborough), Louis Kanaan (Aeronautics and Astronautics, Southampton), Hannah Fowler (Maths and Philosophy, Edinburgh), Max Clifton (Biology, Exeter), Eleanor Woollven (Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Bath), Toby Wilson (Medicine), Oli Gray (Paramedic Science) and Erin Mainwairing. Other top performers included Haneen Modawi (A*A*B) who is going on to study Law at Bristol, whilst Sophie Taylor, Lauren Chetland, Eloise Buncher all achieved A*AB in their A-levels.
In addition, many students have also secured highly sought-after places on apprenticeship courses and other training opportunities, whilst others are planning gap years to broaden and build their experience before taking their next steps. Ford Page has secured a Degree Apprenticeship in Aerospace Engineering through Airbus, and Erin Mainwaring was successful in obtaining an Apprenticeship in Accountancy at Albert Goodwin Accountants.
Hannah Sheppard, Assistant Headteacher - Sixth Form, comments:
“We're thrilled to celebrate the success of our Class of 2025. What truly stands out is the breadth of achievement across all our A-level subjects, which speaks to the diverse talents of our students and the strength of our curriculum. It's a joy to see students move on to a wide range of paths, from top universities to highly sought-after apprenticeships and careers, each path tailored to their passions. Every student's journey is unique, and we congratulate each and every one of them on their personal achievements.”
Churchill Academy & Sixth Form offers over 30 courses and a range of personal development programmes unique to the Academy. The Academy will be holding its Sixth Form Open Evening on Thursday 16th October 2025 for future students to visit the facilities. To find out more about the Open Evening visit www.churchill-academy.org/open-days.
As we bring the 2024/25 academic year to a close, we are thrilled to celebrate the achievements of our students in this year’s House competitions.
Tudor House has had a truly outstanding year, claiming two major titles. First, they secured the Head of House Challenge Cup, which recognises excellence in extra-curricular involvement and inter-house competitions. Then, in a fantastic display of all-around achievement, they also took home the overall House Cup, awarded to the house that excels across all areas of school life. A huge congratulations to everyone in Tudor House!
Windsor House demonstrated exceptional commitment to academic excellence and behaviour, earning them the prestigious Academics Cup for the highest combined attendance and conduct scores. A fantastic effort from all involved!
Our annual Sports Day brought plenty of excitement, energy and school spirit. Lancaster House emerged victorious, taking home the Sports Day Trophy, while Hanover House once again showed their strength and determination by retaining the Tug of War title for another year running.
What a fabulous way to round off a brilliant year. Congratulations to all houses for their participation, enthusiasm and sportsmanship throughout the year.
Wishing everyone a restful and enjoyable summer break – we’ll see you in September!
This year’s Activities Week was nothing short of extraordinary, with students partaking in adventures near and far. From the sunny beaches of Cornwall to the vibrant streets of Paris, our students seized every opportunity to learn, grow, and have fun!
In Paris, they strolled along the Seine, perfected their French and took in the stunning views from the Eiffel Tower. Meanwhile, students in Belgium attended a moving ceremony at The Menin Gate, paying their respects to the fallen of WWI, an unforgettable and humbling experience.
In Italy, the group in Sicily witnessed nature’s power with an eruption at Stromboli, hiked to the Etna Crater and explored fascinating Sicilian caves.
Back in the UK, students in Cornwall made the most of a sun-filled week in Newquay, learning to surf, enjoying beach games and soaking in the seaside atmosphere every day.
For those who stayed closer to home, Activities Week was packed with excitement. Students splashed down at the Aqua Park, faced their fears on rollercoasters at Paultons Park and Drayton Manor, tested their stealth at Airsoft, and even attempted a jailbreak challenge at Shepton Mallet Prison!
Back at the Academy, the fun didn’t stop. Students immersed themselves in a wide range of activities:
Bushcraft sessions brought survival skills to life
Journalism workshops developed storytelling talents
Dance, sports and chess challenged students physically and mentally
Creative minds shone in jewellery making
Enthusiasts got competitive with FIFA tournaments
The skies were the limit in the aviation-themed Come Fly With Me
And so much more!
It’s been incredible to see our students step out of their comfort zones, try something new and make lifelong memories. Whether they were braving waves, climbing volcanoes, or chasing goals on the pitch, one thing was clear: Activities Week 2025 may just have been our best one yet.
We’re already counting down the days to next year!
On Monday 14th July, I was one of several North Somerset students to be given the opportunity to visit parliament as the prize for winning the North Somerset Parliamentary Debating competition. The visit offered an insight into the heart of British democracy and gave us the chance to see how the political system operates beyond the classroom.
Our visit consisted of a tour of the Palace of Westminster, lunch and a Q&A with Sadik Al-Hassan MP, an opportunity to watch proceedings in the House of Commons, and a chance to meet Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, in his chambers.
Watching a live debate from the gallery gave us a chance to observe the democratic process in action, in the real world. Ed Miliband was defending his statement on the climate and the nature crisis, under scrutiny from opposition MPs. In one of his remarks, he made a point of mentioning how important this issue was to young people, looking up at the gallery where we were sitting. His comments made what can sometimes seem a process which is quite removed from our lives, much more relevant.
Our audience with the speaker was also informative: it took place in the Speaker’s House, a very impressive set of rooms inside the Palace. Lindsay Hoyle talked about his role and the need for impartiality and also about the importance of young people coming into politics to keep the flame of democracy burning.
This was a great opportunity to see UK democracy up close, and an experience I would highly recommend to younger students considering taking politics as a subject at A-level.
- Theo
Over the course of Term 6, we have welcomed selected groups of students and families from each House into the Academy Hall for our Celebration of Success evenings. The evening is an opportunity to recognise our students for their achievements and hard work throughout the year, as well as to honour our House Value champions for this academic year.
We asked our staff what they love about these evenings:
Mr Hildrew, Headteacher of Churchill Academy & Sixth Form:
It has been a great pleasure to award certificates to students across all five houses at our Celebration of Success events.
The awards celebrate students who have demonstrated excellent attitudes to learning, effort, behaviour and conduct, or who exemplify the Academy's values of kindness, curiosity and determination. Tutors also nominate the much-desired "tutee of the year" from their tutor groups!
Finally, the events are an opportunity to officially welcome the new House Captains to each house. Many congratulations to all the students nominated for an award!
Mrs Taylor, Head of Lancaster House:
The Lancaster Celebration of Success was a lovely opportunity to come together and celebrate the achievements of students in Lancaster. It was a pleasure to stand on stage, look out at the positive faces and share pride in the students’ success.
These awards enabled us to acknowledge the less public achievements that occur day in and day out at the Academy. My favourite part is hearing all the reasons the tutors give for their tutees of the year, with special credit to Mr Thomas for reading part of his in a foreign language.
Well done to all students who were invited to the evening - you are all stars!
Lancaster House Value Champions:
Kindness: Charlotte
Determination: Paige
Curiosity: Joey
Mrs Crocker, Acting Head of Stuart House:
It has been a pleasure to serve as the Acting Head of House this term, a significant part of which included attending the Celebration of Success evening, where we had the opportunity to celebrate many of the incredible achievements of our students.
Well done to everybody who received an award, we have a great set of students in Stuart house and all your hard work and effort does not go unnoticed.
Stuart House Value Champions:
Kindness: Niya
Determination: George
Curiosity: Isla
Mrs Blackburn, Head of Tudor House:
The Tudor Celebration of Success was an inspirational evening for us all. It brought joy to see the Tudor families come together to celebrate the achievements of our students.
We always enjoy giving out these awards, as it recognises the hard work and effort our students pour into their studies each year. It fills me with pride to be the Head of such a wonderful house.
Well done to all our Tudor students – you’re all fantastic!
Tudor House Value Champions:
Kindness: Mason
Determination: Emily-Grace
Curiosity: Sophia
Mr Redman, Head of Windsor House:
Tuesday Evening saw over 60 Windsor students and their families gather for the annual Celebration of Success. All the students in attendance had been nominated by their teachers for their positive engagement, progress and tremendous attitude throughout the academic year.
In addition to recognising their academic achievements, we were also celebrating the qualities that these students display consistently throughout the year - ones that will stand them in good stead throughout their lives.
Celebrating the many successes of these Windsor students was an uplifting and fitting way to round off the year. Congratulations to all of the award winners!
Windsor House Value Champions:
Kindness: Harry
Determination: Leo
Curiosity: Evalyn
Mr Slater, Head of Hanover House:
We had a fantastic time celebrating the achievements of Hanover students at our celebration of success on Wednesday. A raucous crowd whooped and cheered every student onto the stage to collect their awards, much to the embarrassment of some students!
It was undoubtedly a brilliant way to end the term and the students involved should be very proud of their accomplishments this year.
Hanover House Value Champions:
Kindness: Lewis
Determination: Lilly
Curiosity: Alfie
This week, our Science team has been working closely with Year 7 and Year 8 students to shine a light on the critical issue of endangered species. Students researched an animal of their choice, investigating the causes of their endangerment and exploring actions we can take to protect them before it's too late.
One standout project came from Jasmine, who delved into the world of pangolins, fascinating, scale-covered mammals native to Africa and Asia. Classified as Critically Endangered since 2014, pangolins face serious threats due to illegal trafficking and habitat loss. Jasmine created an eye-catching and informative poster highlighting these issues and offering practical ways we can all contribute to their survival. Be sure to check it out below!
Another creative highlight was Henry’s original rap performance dedicated to saving the pangolin.
It's been an inspiring week of creativity, compassion, and science and our students have shown just how passionate and inventive they can be when it comes to protecting the natural world.
The English High Attainers Awards Ceremony was held this week to celebrate some of the amazing extra-curricular English challenges completed by students from Years 8, 9 and 10.
The challenges put in front of them ranged from 'teaching an activity to a class' to 'sitting in on an A-Level lesson' and from researching your favourite author, to spotting grammatical errors on restaurant menus!
One of the most popular challenges was 'Do your GCSE English early for fun' and a large number of Year 8s and 9s proved they had sufficient ability to pass the exam 2 or 3 years ahead of time!
Huge congratulations goes out to all those involved in the scheme, especially Hanna and Ella who both earned Gold award certificates this year!
Over the last several weeks, over 100 students have been successful in their bid to complete their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Expeditions.
The weather has not made it an easy feat. From temperatures soaring above 30 degrees to torrential downpours and everything in between, the students have all demonstrated resilience, determination and teamwork, supporting one another to ensure they met the twenty required conditions to pass.
The feedback from staff at each campsite, as well as external assessors, has been overwhelmingly positive, with all noting how proud we should be of our students and their achievements.
We must also extend a big thank you to all the Academy staff involved in ensuring these expeditions proceed and are a success.
We were so pleased to hand out the Bronze Awards to students this week, before they head off for the summer holidays. The occasion was marked with a gathering for a small ceremony in the Academy Hall where we celebrated the incredible achievement.
If any students or staff are interested in the DofE Scheme, we will be releasing further information in Term 1 on how to get involved.
Here at the Academy, we are proud to be part of the Fish Heroes Programme, an inspiring initiative that ensures every child has the opportunity to prepare, cook and enjoy fish before leaving school. The programme promotes both essential cookery skills and healthy eating habits.
This week, we were delighted to welcome Simon Gray, a representative of the Fish Heroes Programme, who delivered three engaging lessons to our Year 9 students. These students have chosen to study GCSE Food & Nutrition starting this September, and Simon's sessions offered them a fantastic head start.
Throughout the lessons, students learned about various types of fish, sustainable fishing practices, and key preparation, cooking, and presentation techniques. Their enthusiasm and focus were matched by the high-quality ingredients provided for the sessions.
We were incredibly fortunate to receive a generous donation of fresh fish from The Fishmongers' Company. Their support helped create an exciting and hands-on learning experience that the students will not forget.
A huge thank you goes to Simon Gray, The Fishmongers' Company, and everyone involved in the Fish Heroes Programme for their generosity and knowledge. You've helped spark a passion for cooking that will benefit our students for years to come.
Year 10 student Lily has put her writing talent to remarkable use with the release of her debut novel, The Hanged Hummingbird, which she has written and self-published. The book is now available for purchase on Amazon.
A gripping tale set against the backdrop of a dark chapter in history, The Hanged Hummingbird blends suspense, superstition, and horror in a story that will stay with you long after the final page.
Blurb:
Horror unimaginable kept hidden in the depths of religious fervour and the facade of a sweet little village. Here in this English Eden lies spread fast, and being weird is deadly. You wouldn't want to get accused as a witch, especially not in the 1600s, where a deep hatred was sweeping across the country. Edith thought she was safe. That within her beliefs God was on her side, unfortunately not.
This debut is a perfect summer read and we can’t wait to see what Lily writes next.
Purchase your own copy here!
Our students have produced some truly outstanding pieces of art this term, so much so, it was impossible to choose just one for Artwork of the Term!
Thomas (Year 7) impressed us with his Fauvism-inspired landscape, using bold colours and expressive mark-making in oil pastels.
Talia (Year 9) created a beautiful textile piece inspired by fallen leaves and nature, combining printing techniques with delicate hand embroidery.
Monty (Year 9) wowed us with his observational portrait drawings, showcasing excellent use of line and tone in pencil.
We’re incredibly proud of the creativity and talent on display—well done to all our young artists!