The evening opened with the orchestra delivering a powerful performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, followed by one of Brahms’ lively Hungarian Dances. These well-loved classics set an impressive tone and highlighted the ensemble’s skill and energy.

The concert then offered a special opportunity to hear some of our outstanding young soloists. Luna captivated the audience with a beautifully expressive performance of Debussy, creating a moment of stillness in the hall. Ella brought humour and charm to a Mozart aria, sung confidently in Italian, while Jamie demonstrated the versatility of the tenor horn with a performance that was both engaging and accomplished.

In contrast, the second half shifted towards rock and pop, reflecting the academy’s modern musical influences. Year 11 band “Yunk” delivered a spirited rendition of Don’t Look Back in Anger by Oasis, while the Year 13 Performing Arts class impressed with a lively extract from the musical Mean Girls.

The evening concluded on a high note, with Soul Band and orchestra joining forces for a dynamic arrangement of Marvin Gaye’s 1971 classic What’s Going On. It was a fitting finale that left the audience uplifted and sent everyone into the Easter holidays on a truly memorable note.

Judging the competition was not easy, as there were so many impressive submissions. 

Taking first place was Sophia, whose design stood out for its originality and impact. In joint second place were Lottie and Joseph, both of whom created thoughtful and beautifully executed pieces. Third place was awarded to Elvie and Holly for their creative and meaningful designs.

Congratulations to all of our winners, and well done to everyone who took part. The competition was a wonderful celebration of talent, creativity, and reflection.

This well deserved award highlights not only her success over the season but also her dedication and promising future in sport. Well done Olive!

Year 7 Progress to the Hockey Tournament Finals

Our Year 7 Hockey team had an unbelievable afternoon of Hockey, playing in this week’s round of the local Hockey Tournament.  The team brought home a well earned victory and secured a spot in the finals. Good luck! 

Year 9 Host the Girls Football Tournament

The Academy was proud to host the Girls Football tournament this week which saw seven schools (90 students!) come together for an afternoon of football in the sunshine.  We had great participation from our non club players, as well as our regular football team. The Academy didn’t bring home the win, but it was a fantastic afternoon nonetheless!

The Joys of State School Cricket: ITV News

We were proud to be filmed this week for an upcoming piece by ITV on state school Cricket teams. Our U15 & U13 girls & boys squads were both filmed for the piece, giving all the students a chance to showcase their Cricket skills. 

It was a great morning and we can’t wait to see the results on ITV soon!

U15 IPL Cricket Success 

Our U15 Boys Cricket team recently got a chance to play at the Centre of Excellence and they brought home the win too.  Well done! 

Entries were creative, colourful and wide-ranging. We were pleased to see that the BBC Bitesize visit earlier this year, which included an interview with Bristol Airport, has inspired some students to dream about careers in the aviation sector. Others are dreaming of taking an apprenticeship pathway to their favourite career. 

It was a hard decision, but our Careers Adviser, Ms McGonigal, felt the following winners pipped the others to the post. Prizes included Amazon vouchers and chocolates! 

1st place - Chace - Veterinary Surgeon

Eye-catching design, obvious passion for the subject and demonstrates deeper research, above and beyond the brief.

2nd place - Tansy - Textile Designer

Beautiful artwork that relates directly to the career, with a simple but effective design.

3rd - Charlie - Airline Pilot

Great design idea to make the airline pilot advert into a giant boarding pass, complete with company logo and barcode!

4th Place - Amelie - Police Officer 

Excellent level of detail with a great focus on the character traits required.

5th Place  - James - Aircraft Maintenance Engineer

Fantastic drawing of an aeroplane with labelled parts relevant to the job.

As part of the conference, students presented posters they had prepared in advance, delivering their ideas in small group settings. This activity allowed them to build their presentation skills while engaging in academic discussion with peers. In addition, they participated in a workshop focused on strengthening university applications and preparing for potential entrance exams they may encounter.

The programme will continue with a residential course at Cambridge University in July, offering students a valuable opportunity to further immerse themselves in academic life and preparation for higher education.

From cakes to biscuits, the selection proved to be a hit, with many praising both the quality and variety on offer.

More importantly, the bake sale supported a worthy cause. Windsor House has chosen to support the Alzheimer’s Society this year, and the event successfully raised an impressive £120.19 for the charity.

Well done to everyone involved for their hard work and generosity!

During the tour, students explored the processes involved in manufacturing food products, including key considerations around hygiene, safety and risk assessment. They were able to observe real-world applications of concepts studied in the classroom, deepening their understanding of large scale food production.

An important aspect of the visit was experiencing industry-standard safety procedures firsthand. Students were required to wear two different sets of personal protective equipment (PPE) when entering specific areas of the factory, highlighting the strict protocols followed to maintain product safety and quality.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Emer Keene and the team at Yeo Valley for organising and delivering such an insightful experience. Their time and expertise provided students with a valuable perspective on the food industry.

The knowledge gained from this trip will play an important role in supporting students as they prepare for the externally assessed Unit 2 component of their course.

Amy’s squad has qualified for the regional finals next month, representing Wiltshire, Avon, Gloucester, Somerset, and Wales at national level. They are also expected to compete at the British Championships for the third consecutive year, cementing their reputation as one of the country’s top crews. 

We are wishing you the best of luck in both competitions, well done Amy!

Scarlett is always positive and enthusiastic, a pleasure to teach. Well done!

Competing against teams from across the Trust, they tackled questions ranging from particle physics to classical literature, demonstrating impressive quick thinking and teamwork under pressure.

It was a great afternoon for all, well done!

This is a unique opportunity to see the students showcase their talent and hard work in a live performance. Tickets are free, and refreshments will be available to purchase on the night.

Please note, this is an exam performance and will contribute to the students’ final grades, making every performance a moment of both entertainment and academic achievement.

Don’t miss this chance to support the next generation of performers!

Book your free tickets here.

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!

Students also gained insight into the Confectionery industry in preparation for Paper 3 and revised key quantitative skills and numerical concepts. The workshop provided an engaging and practical boost to their exam readiness.

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.

The day provided invaluable insight into exam structure, effective evaluation, and how to secure top marks in extended responses. Students benefited enormously from the use of real-world examples, while the practical advice on approaching exam questions gave a clear understanding of what examiners are looking for.

It certainly feels like a moment when Economics is firmly in the spotlight, with widespread discussion of issues such as oil prices helping to bring the subject to life.

Students left the day feeling more confident, better prepared, and motivated as they approach their final exams this summer, as well as equipped with a range of useful resources to support their revision. 

We look forward to celebrating their success in August.

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!

Our Cross Country Team Make Academy History 

For the first time in Academy history, we had five runners in the English Schools Cross Country Finals.  Massive congratulations to Agnes, Alex, Joey and Olive, who were all selected to represent Avon County to run in the English Schools National Cross-Country Championship in Sefton Park, Liverpool, last Saturday. 

Each age group race had approximately 350 runners, so it was a test of managing to stay on your feet as well as trying to complete the course as fast as possible.  It is a huge achievement to be selected to compete at National level, and we are extremely proud of all four runners. Very well done!

Our Girls Rugby Team’s Game of a Lifetime

Our Girls Rugby team saw an incredible afternoon of Rugby this week, in the beautiful sunshine, they showcased their hard work from their weekly Rugby training after school.  We saw tries scored by five different players, including some who were making their debut. The game finished with an astounding 54-0 victory to Churchill! 

The game was played in excellent spirit, with students from both schools putting on an excellent showcase for girls rugby in North Somerset. Incredible! 

U16 Rugby Put Their Skills to the Test 

Our U16 Rugby team faced a very strong Beechwood Cliffs this week, out in the sunshine, the two teams faced on for a great game of Rugby. The academy put their all in, showcasing their training. However, the game did not go their way as Beechwood took the lead.  We go again! 

U14 Rugby Learn Valueable Skills 

Our Year 9 Rugby team also faced a defeat this week. However, they have gained some incredible new skills and learning from the game. The team is already looking forward to their next training session to start putting these new skills into practice. 

Competing against an exceptionally strong field, Mia’s performance stood out for its confidence, skill and undeniable stage presence. Impressing a panel of experienced West End judges is no small achievement, and this recognition is a true testament to her hard work, dedication and passion for performing.

As a result of this fantastic success, Mia will now progress to the Semi Finals, which will take place in Manchester on 2nd May. This is an exciting next step in what is already shaping up to be an amazing journey, and we couldn’t be prouder.

We wish Mia the very best of luck as she prepares for the next stage of the competition – we know she will continue to shine!

To keep up to date with Mia’s progress and follow the competition, you can visit the West End Calling Instagram page here.

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.

This year, Academy students achieved our best ever results, with 13 students obtaining a gold certificate, 29 achieving silver and 17 students receiving bronze. From these students, 14 qualified for various follow-on rounds due to their fantastic scores - another Academy record. 

Congratulations to Isaac and Dan, who scored highly enough to qualify for the MacLaurin and Hamilton Olympiads, respectively. And well done to Leo, Adam, Ellis, Finlay, Ella, Charlie, Edward, Rowan, Tomos, Doug, Ben and Haydn, who qualified for the Intermediate Kangaroo competitions. 

This is an incredible achievement for the school and testament to our students' strong efforts and attitude towards maths - well done to everyone that took part this year! 

Mr Thomas

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!

The production offered a bold and imaginative interpretation of Shakespeare’s classic play, featuring a range of unusual and entertaining elements. Highlights included ballet-dancing crow men, magical interference in the course of true love, a chef transformed into a donkey and even a surprising Robbie Williams cover.

The performance provided students with an engaging and memorable theatrical experience, bringing Shakespeare’s work to life in a fresh and unexpected way.

All students thoroughly enjoyed the trip, which combined cultural enrichment with a sense of fun and creativity. Thank you to the English department for organising this exciting opportunity.

Representatives from a wide range of universities, apprenticeship providers and employers (including local businesses and the armed forces) were on hand to give advice and guidance on the opportunities available.  

The students were also provided with this information pack, full of hints and tips on how and when to apply for university and/or apprenticeships, how to prepare for interviews, student finance and much more.

This was a great way for the students to start considering the options available to them once they have completed their Sixth Form studies.

Further support with post-18 options will be available in assemblies, STP and the tutor programme throughout the summer and autumn terms.  We cannot wait to see what our students achieve after their time at Sixth Form.

Every speech was of excellent quality, showcasing the talent and intelligence of all of the students.  The winner of the competition was the Academy’s very own, Isla, who gave a moving and important speech on animal testing. 

We want to say a massive congratulations to every student who participated, we couldn’t be prouder of the quality of speeches given. 

You can read Isla’s winning speech in full below: 

When I was younger I imagined animal testing as applying makeup products on an animal in a way which was not harmful. I now understand, as I have grown older that this is in fact not the case. And I know others still believe this. I am here to help develop your understanding on what it really is, the faults, the uses, the regulations and the strong ethical debate. I want to show you how and why I believe we need a change. 

Picture this, you have no known family and you have grown up in a lab. You believe these people around you are nice, but you can never be too sure. Then just when you are finally beginning to trust them, they apply chemicals and surgery onto your skin which you may not consent to as you cannot speak. Would you like that?  I most certainly would not. And after all of that, you are likely to experience psychological or physical suffering. If you believe this is unfair please raise your hand. This is what happens during animal testing, and if you believe this is unfair to us then it is clearly unfair to animals. We are the problem, not them.

For you to understand fully, I must mention a few things. In the UK, animal testing is legal. However, it is strictly regulated under the Animals Scientific Act in 1986. These regulations focus on minimizing harm through principles such as the 3rs. These are Replacement, Reduction and refinement. Replacement means to avoid or replace the use of live animals, Reduction is reducing the quantity of animals used and refinement is minimizing the pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm that research animals may experience. Even though it is regulated, it is often unsafe.

There are multiple different purposes within animal testing but every single one of them are for us. This is a clear pattern. These include: to gain biological knowledge, to understand diseases, to develop treatments and to ensure product safety. We are selfish. Only one of these things we actually need, which is to develop treatments. And even then we can use other methods such as human volunteer studies which feature volunteers being given an extremely safe dosage of a drug. This is why we should consider the alternative methods to animal testing.

Another pattern I have spotted is that as soon as humans are brought into the picture, it is created more safely. The thought of humans being harmed seems wrong but then again if it is animals it is..ok? We are not the only living thing on this planet. We are not the only thing that matters. I care about animals. I care about animal's rights. I care. And you should too. Thank you.

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!

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.

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! 

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!

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!

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 un