Tewkesbury Academy students gained insight into the world of policing and personal safety during a visit from the area’s dedicated beat officer, PC Curtis.
As part of the school’s ongoing commitment to student wellbeing and safety, PC Curtis was invited to share vital sessions with Years 7-9 as part of the PSHE curriculum.
These informative sessions covered key topics designed to educate and safeguard students:
Year 7: Grooming and exploitation
Year 8: Knife crime
Year 9: Stop and search and knife crime
A spokesperson said: “We are immensely grateful to PC Curtis for his dedication to raising awareness and equipping our students with the knowledge and tools they need to stay safe.
“His engaging approach and valuable insights have been instrumental in empowering our students to make informed decisions.”
Mr Gowers, Lead Teacher for PSHE, expressed his appreciation for the enthusiastic participation of all students, recognising their active engagement as crucial to the success of these sessions.
Students from Tewkesbury Academy recently had the exciting opportunity to visit the prestigious Bugatti Trust Museum, where they embarked on a unique design challenge inspired by the museum’s rich heritage.
During their visit, students captured inspirational photographs of the museum’s iconic displays, which served as the foundation for their creative process.
Drawing from these images, the students dedicated themselves to designing and crafting innovative bags that reflect the elegance and engineering excellence associated with the Bugatti brand.
The resulting collection of remarkable, finalised bags will be showcased professionally within the Bugatti Trust Museum, providing visitors with the opportunity to admire the student’s impressive craftsmanship and artistic interpretations.
This inspiring display will be open to the public in the near future.
A spokesperson for Tewkesbury Academy commented: “We are incredibly proud of our students’ dedication and creativity throughout this project.
“Their hard work and passion have resulted in some truly outstanding designs that reflect the spirit of the Bugatti Trust.
“We encourage everyone to visit the museum and see these wonderful creations firsthand.”
For more information about the exhibition and visiting details, please contact the Bugatti Trust Museum or Tewkesbury Academy.
The next cohort of GCSE and A-level scientists at Tewkesbury Academy had the privilege to attend an inspirational talk by Dr Lindsay Newbold, an environment molecular microbial ecologist from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, about her journey from an unconventional start in science to environmental biologist.
In an engaging and interactive talk, students were taken on a journey through microbes, their uses and extraction of their DNA – with links to KS4 and practicals in KS5. Combined with Mrs Foster’s cat stickers – students were naming as many pollinators as possible!
Dr Newbold has worked on Alpine projects, earthworms in Chernobyl, analysing water quality and work in environmental biology. She also talked about the UKCEH’s most recent work and research that made the news: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/videos/cg4qgnlx026o
Dr Newbold is currently working on groundwater organisms – eukaryotes, fungi and stygobytes in a cave in Southmead, Bristol see news report here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkgqvzpse04
She is currently focused on stygobytes which are very sensitive to unique environments so will show when there has been chemical contamination. And its far easier to look for DNA in water rather than sampling inside claustrophobic caves.
Dr Alice Kennedy, Director of Science at Tewkesbury Academy, said: “It is fantastic that Dr Newbold was able to come back for a second year to talk to our year 10s and 12s about careers in environmental biology.
“One of our key foci at the moment is to build in careers links to our CLF curriculum, and Dr Newbold’s talk on experimental molecular biology careers link was an excellent example of careers outside of the norm and links to local sites.”
Year 7 students at Tewkesbury Academy marked Shrove Tuesday in traditional style, getting hands-on in the kitchen to create their own delicious pancakes.
During their food lessons, students embraced every step of the process – from whisking the batter to perfecting the art of flipping and adding their favorite toppings.
The classroom was filled with excitement as they put their culinary skills to the test, producing some truly mouthwatering pancakes.
The event was a fantastic opportunity for students to learn practical cooking skills while celebrating an age-old tradition.
Laughter, teamwork, and, of course, plenty of pancake flipping made for a memorable experience.
A spokesperson said: “It was wonderful to see students so engaged and enthusiastic.
“They not only developed their cooking abilities but also enjoyed the fun and creativity of making their own pancakes.”
A group of 50 excited Year 10 students and staff from Tewkesbury Academy embarked on an eagerly-anticipated half-term ski trip to Oberlungau, Austria.
Despite the early start and chilly winter morning, spirits were high as the group set off for a week of adventure on the slopes.
Throughout the week, students honed their skiing skills, making remarkable progress across a variety of slopes.
The trip provided not only an incredible opportunity to develop their skiing abilities but also the chance to create unforgettable memories amidst the stunning Austrian scenery.
A huge thank you goes to trip coordinator Mr James, whose months of meticulous planning ensured the success of the trip. He was supported by dedicated Tewkesbury Academy staff members Ms Pugh, Miss Pawson, Miss Corbett, Mr Phillips, and Mr Spencer, who all played a vital role in making the experience so special.
A spokesperson for the academy said: “Students had an incredible time, learning new skills, embracing new challenges, and making lifelong memories.
“It was fantastic to see their enthusiasm and progress on the slopes.
“The trip was a resounding success, leaving students with a new-found love for skiing and a collection of cherished memories to look back on for many years to come.”
Tewkesbury Academy’s Sixth Form engineering and textiles students recently had an incredible and enriching day in London, gaining valuable insights and inspiration in their respective fields.
Year 13 engineering students were honoured with an exclusive invitation to the All-Party Engineering Group Briefing at the House of Lords.
Accompanied by two members of staff, the students engaged in a thought-provoking discussion on ‘engineering for net zero’ while enjoying a three-course meal.
The event featured a number of esteemed guest speakers, offering students a rare opportunity to explore the intersection of engineering and politics.
Engineering teacher Mr Fair said: “Students represented the academy impeccably and left with a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the engineering sector.”
Meanwhile, Mrs Cummins led a group of textiles students on an inspirational tour of the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Natural History Museum.
Mrs Cummins said: “These visits provided a wealth of creative thinking, helping students develop ideas for their final textile’s projects and portfolios.
“Immersing themselves in world-class exhibits, the students broadened their artistic perspectives and deepened their appreciation for historical and contemporary textile design.”
The day was a resounding success, offering students a unique blend of educational, professional, and creative experiences that will undoubtedly influence their future endeavours.
Tewkesbury Academy is immensely proud of its students for embracing these opportunities with enthusiasm and professionalism.
Tewkesbury Academy’s science department will help students embrace their love of astronomy through the school’s continued participation in the Space to Learn national project, funded by the UK Space Agency.
This year, the program welcomed local expert Dave Allden, who led a physics-focused masterclass exploring the challenges of surviving in space.
The session was attended by Year 9 students who have expressed an interest in astronomy-related careers or are considering separate sciences at GCSE.
They were expertly guided through the perils of space travel, beginning with a refresher on forces and motion and the calculations required to launch astronauts and rockets into space.
The workshop also delved into the chemistry of fuel and combustion, featuring exciting demonstrations with mini whoosh bottles. Students gained hands-on experience in understanding pressure differences by using mini marshmallows inside syringes – a fun and visual representation of how the human body reacts to varying atmospheric pressures in space. This led to an engaging discussion about the many ways space presents dangers to astronauts.
To cap off the event, students designed and built their own model rockets, which were launched high above the school grounds, showcasing their creativity and newfound knowledge in action.
Dr Alice Kennedy, Director of Science at Tewkesbury Academy, said: “This was a fantastic opportunity to highlight the science, scope, and possibilities within the UK space industry.
“It was amazing to see how engaged, enthusiastic, and interested the students were throughout the session.”
Tewkesbury Academy was thrilled to welcome three engineers from Dowty Propellers to work with Year 7 academics, providing a fascinating insight into the world of aeroplane design and engineering.
During the session, students explored the key principles behind aircraft design, learning how engineers meet customer specifications while ensuring rigorous testing and quality standards.
The workshop also highlighted the importance of resilience and determination in achieving success in the engineering field.
Associate Assistant Principal, Miss Davis, said: “I was delighted with the way our young people engaged with the activity.
“They were enthusiastic and made thoughtful contributions during the discussions and activities.
“I hope we may have inspired some of our young people to become engineers in the future.”
Tewkesbury Academy would like to extend its sincere thanks to Dowty Propellers for offering time and expertise in making this event a success.
Tewkesbury Academy library was alive with excitement as students gathered during lunchtime to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
The event offered students a chance to explore the rich history and customs associated with this vibrant festival.
Participants enjoyed a variety of activities, including traditional games, making cootie catchers, and sampling fortune cookies.
Snacks representing the diversity of Lunar New Year celebrations were also shared, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.
The celebration provided a wonderful opportunity for both staff and students to embrace diversity, promote inclusion, and appreciate the array of cultures within the school community.
A spokesperson for Tewkesbury Academy said, “A big thanks to our librarian, Mrs Pinfield, and all the students for their enthusiastic participation.
“Events like this foster understanding and bring our community closer together.”
Tewkesbury Academy has received a generous grant from the Tewkesbury Educational Trust Fund, enabling the school to buy 16 brand-new, high-quality wooden chessboards.
This incredible donation will greatly enhance the academy’s thriving chess community and provide students with even more opportunities to develop their strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
Tewkesbury’s school library has proudly hosted the Delancey Chess Challenge for over 25 years, making it a central part of the academy’s enrichment programme.
Chess at Tewkesbury Academy is more than just a game – it is an opportunity for students to engage in intellectual challenges, develop resilience, and foster a sense of camaraderie.
The key benefits of Tewkesbury Academy’s chess programme:
This fantastic gift will help to further nurture students’ passion for chess, equipping them with the tools to participate in more competitions and refine their skills.
A spokesperson for the said: “A huge thank you from the library and all our enthusiastic chess players.
“This generous donation will make a significant impact on our students, inspiring them to develop their strategic thinking while enjoying the game of chess.”
School leaders look forward to seeing students put these new chessboards to great use and continuing to develop a love for chess within the school community.
