The challenge sees Lancaster House aiming to run a combined 738km in support of the Springboard Opportunity Fund. Students began their journey on Friday morning with a fantastic 33km effort and together with Mr Thomas’s Half Marathon achievement, the team has already reached an incredible 54km.

Students originally set themselves a target of £300, but just four days into the challenge, they have already doubled that amount, raising an amazing £600 for Springboard Opportunity Fund.

There is still plenty of distance left to cover, and Lancaster House will continue to share updates throughout their journey to Lancaster and back. Thank you to everyone who has supported the challenge so far, and please keep donating to this wonderful cause.

To make a donation, click here. 

This year, our Lancaster students are doing it again, but instead of rowing, they are running! As a house, they are tackling the 738km virtual journey of country lanes and motorways from the Academy to Lancaster and back again.

This fundraising effort is to raise awareness and money for their house charity, Springboard Opportunity Fund, a daycare provider for children with special educational needs and disabilities, based in the South West. Springboard was nominated at the beginning of the academic year by Lancaster students with strong ties to the charity, and we are thrilled that Lancaster House voted to adopt Springboard as their house charity for this academic year! 

Every student in Lancaster House will be given the opportunity to contribute to the running and fundraising targets between now and the end of the school year, running up to 5km in small groups around school and the local area. 

Their fundraising page is already live, and this morning, Lancaster House Council and other enthusiastic students kicked off the journey during tutor time, racking up their first 33km kilometres, leaving 705km left to go. 

House Captain, Will, gave us his thoughts on the challenge:

“I’m really looking forward to leading our house fundraising challenge “To Lancaster and Back” alongside Mr Thomas and Rowan. The rowing challenge that Lancaster took part in a few years ago was really successful and we hope that this new challenge will bring all of Lancaster together to raise funds for Springboard, a well-deserving charity. Starting off the challenge will be one of the last things I’ll do as House Captain and I’m proud to be a part of something that will hopefully be remembered for years to come.”

On Sunday 10th May, Mr Thomas (Head of Lancaster House) will be running the Bristol Half Marathon, with the 21km distance contributing towards the Lancaster House challenge.  We are wishing him the best of luck with his run! 

Lancaster House would greatly appreciate any donations that you are able to make via their Just Giving page over the coming weeks.  Please feel free to share the link with family members, neighbours or any other running enthusiasts that you think may be willing to help our students raise money for the Springboard Opportunity Fund.
 

Stay tuned for further updates as our students progress up and down the country! 

Francesca has been developing a lovely dance style and it has been a pleasure to see her improve each term and demonstrate a strong technique. Well done!

They also travelled to Exeter on Saturday for a fixture, in what proved to be a closely contested match; they came away with a well-earned victory.

This is a fantastic achievement and a testament to their hard work and commitment, particularly given the high level of competition. Well done!

Representing the Academy and the South West region, she faced a tough field of competitors, truly the best from across the UK. Undeterred, Phillippa delivered three outstanding tumble runs, earning herself an impressive bronze medal. Well done!

All auditions will be held in the Dance Studio, beginning at 1:20pm, with the following schedule:

Solos: Monday 1st June

Duets: Thursday 2nd June 

Groups: Thursday 4th June 

You can collect your application form and full details of the competition rules from the Dance office. 

Good luck!

The night opened spectacularly with a full-company performance of This Is Me. Stunningly arranged, it was a powerful and uplifting start that immediately set the tone for an evening of outstanding entertainment.

Following 51 auditions involving well over 100 students, the difficult task of narrowing the competition down to just 25 acts began. Some performers were even grouped together “Simon Cowell style”, yet every single act rose magnificently to the challenge. The standard throughout the competition was exceptionally high; any performance could have walked away with an award.

The audience was treated to an extraordinary variety of singing, acting, and dance, showcasing the depth of talent across all year groups. To round off the performances in style, our wonderful Year 13 students presented an extract from their production, providing a brilliant finale and a fitting reminder of the talent we will soon be saying goodbye to.

With performances complete, the judges, including two of our fantastic alumni, faced the incredibly difficult task of selecting the winners. After a short break and much deliberation, the results were announced.

Award Winners

• Audience Star – Year 7 Dance Club

• Dance Star – Year 7 Dance Club

• Acting Star – Daisy

• Singing Star – Ben and Ash 

• Group Star – Harry, Emily, Amelita and Fran 

Then came the two major awards of the evening.

The Rising Star Award was presented to Imogen for her beautiful performance of Quiet. Imogen is certainly one to watch for the future.

Finally, the overall winner of M Stars 2026 was the outstanding Lilly, whose brilliantly delivered performance of World Burn captivated both judges and audience alike.

What a fantastic evening, not only a celebration of the talent we already have, but also a truly exciting glimpse into the future of musical theatre at our school.

Students were investigating how rivers change and spent the day out in the Quantock Hills studying the River Holford. We were impressed with their enthusiasm and hard work; it was great to see them getting stuck into some "real geography!". 

Students will have another trip in June, this time to look at regeneration in Bristol. Well done, Year 10! 

Their hard work paid off as they advanced to the finals, an impressive achievement in itself, and ultimately secured 7th place in the World. This marks the highest ranking BForce has ever achieved at the championship, setting a new benchmark for the team’s success.

This accomplishment is a testament to the commitment, teamwork, and perseverance of every dancer involved. Congratulations to Meg and the entire BForce team on this remarkable milestone. You’ve made us all incredibly proud.

From preparing the dough to selecting toppings and perfecting their final creations, students demonstrated creativity and their practical skills throughout the lesson. The classroom was filled with enthusiasm as everyone embraced the opportunity to design and make their own unique pizzas.

The results were both impressive and delicious, making the experience a memorable one for all involved.

Mia has made the most of all opportunities offered to her in Performing Arts throughout her time at Churchill and we are grateful for all of her contributions. Well done!

Facing strong opposition, the Winscombe side demonstrated determination, resilience, and impressive skill throughout, ultimately emerging as deserved champions. Their success highlights the growing strength of girls’ rugby and serves as an inspiration to other young athletes.

Congratulations to Aoife, Liv, Frankie, Millie, Hattie, and Molly on an incredible accomplishment.

George raced his way to an impressive 2nd-place finish, while Macey showed great determination to secure 4th place in her category. Their hard work and commitment was clear throughout the event, making their results a proud achievement for all involved. Well done!

The students showcased impressive acting “squills,” demonstrating real depth of character throughout the production, alongside some truly powerful and memorable vocals. Their performances reflected not only their talent, but also the passion and dedication they have developed during their time in Performing Arts.

They were brilliantly supported by an outstanding ensemble of students from Years 13, 12, and 10, whose enthusiasm and teamwork helped bring the production to life on stage.

What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that, as part of their course, the class were only required to perform a 15-minute section. Instead, they chose to stage the entire show, a true reflection of their drive, determination, and love for Performing Arts.

As this talented group prepares to leave us later this year, they will be greatly missed by staff and students alike. However, they will always remain part of the Performing Arts family, and the memories they have created through productions such as this will stay with us for years to come.

We are certain that many of them will return in the future, just as so many former students have done, to support and celebrate the next generation of talented performers.

U13 Boys Hockey Team Bring Home Bronze 

Our U13 Boys Hockey team had an exciting afternoon this week as they played in this terms Hockey tournament with local schools. Our boys put in a great effort, bringing home third place in the tournament.  

Player of the match was awarded to Ewan for his skills and determination throughout! 

U15 Cricket Team Progress in the Somerset Cricket Cup

Our U15 Cricket Team faced Kings College this week for two exciting games of cricket.  The final scores were 97/8 for Kings College and 98/8 for the Academy - it was an all round outstanding team performance.  

The Art Department faced no easy task in selecting the winners. The dedication and artistic flair demonstrated by all entrants made the process challenging but inspiring.

Among the many outstanding photographs, four entries stood out for their ability to capture the essence of spring. These images not only reflected the beauty of the season but also highlighted the remarkable talent within our student community.

We are delighted to announce the winners:

• 1st Place: Olive

• 2nd Place: Jasmine

• 3rd Place: Will & Oliver

Congratulations to our winners for their exceptional work, and a big well done to every student who took part. Your enthusiasm and creativity made this competition a wonderful success.

This student-voted award recognises the dedication and effort Mr Fearon puts into every lesson. Well done! 

Leah 

Mati 

Holly 

Sophia 

Olive 

Olivia 

These girls have been putting their all into choreographing large group pieces and supporting our Year 7 and 8 Dance clubs with learning their routines to ensure they were ready for the M Stars competition - all whilst rehearsing their own M Stars performances! 

We couldn’t be prouder of these students, who have been a massive help to the Dance team and have been an inspiration to our young students with their creativity, confidence and kindness.

The Joys of State School Cricket: Watch Here

Students were filmed by ITV News at the end of last term for a piece on state school Cricket teams and a new Cricket tournament that began this week.  You can watch our students in action, along with an interview with Mr Hayne, here. The Academy segment begins at 16:30. 

Round 1 Knight-Stokes Cup is a Success 

Our U15 Cricket Team delivered a fantastic performance in Round 1 of the Knight-Stokes Cup at Lord’s, securing their place in Round 2 with an impressive win. Backwell posted 100/6 from their 18 overs, with King and Kirwin leading the bowling attack brilliantly. In reply, the Academy made light work of the chase, racing to 103/0 in just 12 overs to win by 10 wickets, with Beynon finishing unbeaten on a superb 40 not out. 

The day wasn’t without its lighter moments either, two players even went missing from the team photo, distracted by the search for the ball that Beynon had launched for six! 

He claimed gold in the shot put with an impressive throw of 13.80 metres, a result that ranked him 1st in the UK for Sports Hall Athletics. George also played a key role in the U13 boys 4-lap relay team, helping secure a bronze medal.

His contributions were instrumental in the Avon U13 boys finishing as overall winners in their age group, earning the top national ranking and marking a highly successful competition for both George and his team.

The pair walked over 30 miles along the West Mendip Way, spending more than 12 hours on their journey. Despite the physical challenge, they kept pushing through to make sure they finished the route.

Their effort, alongside other members of the group and coaches, helped raise an impressive £3,000 for the team. Well done!

The National Youth Theatre is widely regarded as the UK’s leading youth arts organisation and has launched the careers of many successful actors. After completing a two-week membership workshop, Ceci will officially join NYT, gaining access to a wide range of performance and professional development opportunities right through to the age of 26.

The standout moment came in the 50m freestyle, where Leo achieved a personal best time of 24.92 seconds, breaking the 25-second barrier for the first time. This remarkable swim earned him the title of Junior National Welsh Champion and an impressive 4th place ranking across Britain.

Building on this success, Leo has been selected for the British Next Generation National List for the summer, based on his performances in both the 50m and 100m freestyle events. Final confirmation of his place is expected on May 4th, as he looks to take the next step in his swimming career.

This recognition highlights her talent, commitment, and continued progress in the sport, placing her among a select group of players being considered for national development. The upcoming trials mark an important step in her rugby journey as she looks to secure a place in the squad.

The challenge saw strong participation across all houses, with students designing and testing their paper planes to achieve maximum distance and performance. It proved to be a fun and competitive event, showcasing both ingenuity and teamwork.

After a closely contested race, the final standings were announced:

1st: Lancaster
2nd:  Windsor
3rd: Hanover
4th: Stuart
5th: Tudor

A huge well done goes to all students who took part, with excellent effort shown across every house.

They performed two dances that they had been working on during their lunchtime club. The first was a story of love, loss and grief and the second was inspired by the fairytale Red Shoes. 

They performed brilliantly and were a real credit to the school. We are very proud of them, and they were excellent role models for the younger students, many of whom will join us at Churchill in the future. 

The coming weeks promise even more anticipation, as Ellis and Josh await news on whether they will progress to the U17 pathway. It’s a pivotal moment in their development, bringing both excitement and nerves as they look to take the next step in their Rugby journeys.

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.