Academy News

Winscombe & Sandford Parish Council recently ran a competition to design a new logo and we’re pleased to announce that Keziah is the winner.  Her winning design will now proudly represent the Parish Council across its marketing materials.

The Parish Council received over 50 entries from local schools and was impressed by each submission's exceptional quality and creativity. 

In addition to selecting a winner, the Parish recognised the outstanding talent of four other young designers, awarding them Highly Commended status. Congratulations to Churchill students Neave and Sophie, who were among the finalists. 

We adore all the designs, and we’re impressed with the varying interpretations that capture the rural essence of the parish and surrounding villages. 

Well done to everybody who entered and a special congratulations again to Keziah, Neave, and Sophie for their remarkable achievements.

Take a look at the other designs below.

Our students continue to impress us all with their artistic talent. Sophie, Year 9, demonstrated an incredible understanding of spatial illusion through her amazing 'One Point Perspective' drawing. Her work showcases precision and depth, bringing the technique to life.

Ayda and Arianna, Year 7, created fantastic observational shell drawings. Using line and tone, they skillfully captured the form and texture of their subjects, displaying great attention to detail.

Well done to all three students for their creativity and dedication to art!

This week, Academy students Noah and Cecilia had the privilege of co-hosting the monthly online SEND Council meeting. Key figures from North Somerset Council joined them, including Anthony Webster, Head of SEND; Guy Clayton, Principal Educational Psychologist; Pip Hesketh, Education Partnership Assistant Director; and Shelly Smith, Engagement and Participation Officer.

The SEND Council brings together student representatives from schools across North Somerset, providing a platform to discuss essential SEND matters in a collaborative and supportive environment. Hosting the meeting at the Academy was a fantastic opportunity to contribute to these vital discussions and ensure student voices are heard.

Year 12 students recently visited Bath University for an immersive experience into the life of a sports student. The day began with hands-on field and lab testing, where students completed a VO2 max test on the treadmill and undertook the Wingate test on the bike. These tests allowed students to compare their results to elite athletes, gaining invaluable practical knowledge.

Following the testing, students attended a lecture on sport and periodisation, deepening their understanding of the science behind athletic training. The visit also provided a unique opportunity to observe Premier League football referees and Olympian swimmers in training.

The trip was an insightful and inspiring experience, offering students a first-hand look at the rigorous demands and scientific principles that shape high-performance sports.

The response to our Poetry Competition was phenomenal and it really shone a light on the talent and creativity of our students. 

Briefed to write a poem based on the topic of ‘Dreams or Music’, students demonstrated their skills in creating original, thought-provoking, and truly inspiring poetry. 

Our competition winner was Eliza, Year 9, with her poem ‘Sound, it’s all around’, a beautiful piece on the emotion and power of music, inspired by Taylor Swift song lyrics.

With so many talented writers, the English department also rewarded the top seven entries:

2nd place – Melissa, Year 10, “Simon Says”
3rd place – Jamilah, Year 11, “Addiction”
4th place – Cleo, Year 10, “Dreams”
5th place – Wendy, Year 10, “The Nutcracker”
6th place – Ella, Year 10, “I’d Rather Be Without Dreams”
7th place – Ethan, Year 9, “The Barbeque”

A huge congratulations to all the winners for their exceptional poetry – you can read all seven poems below!

This week, two of our talented Sixth Form students, Ellie and Kate, represented the Academy in a highly prestigious political debating competition hosted by local MP, Sadik Al-Hassan. The event provided an excellent platform for students to engage in critical discussions on contemporary political issues.