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.
Following the successful application of a grant to the Royal Institution (RI), Tewkesbury Academy hosted two science shows on Super Cells, a CPD session for the Science team and a community show on Rocket Science.
The Royal Institution is a charitable organisation bringing the public and scientists together to share their interest and passion for science.
They align with our CLF values of HEART where we believe there should be equal access to science. They are most well known for their annual Christmas Lectures televised just after Christmas. This year Dr Chris van Tulleken reveals the revolutionary science inside our bodies when we eat, in the 2024 Christmas Lectures from the Royal Institution, supported by CGI, and information can be found here: https://www.rigb.org/christmas-lectures.
Years 7 and 8 were treated to “Super Cells” where the RI presenter, Usmaa introduced the idea of super spreading of a mystery disease with an Iron Wool map of Great Britain. With regular interaction and volunteers of Tewkesbury Academy Students, Usmaa took the students on a journey through exploring antibiotics on bacteria (and Daisy popping balloons); the “Yellow Soup” of Ge Hong (don’t look it up after lunch!); a demo of how much mucus a human body releases in 24 hours to the modern invention of Vaccines, and the work of our local legend – Edward Jenner. There were lots of active demonstrations and students were engaged and attentive.
Usmaa then ran a CPD session for our Science Department and introduced various resources for us to utilise.
In the evening, we were treated to a community show on Rocket Science. We began with dodging mini whoosh bottles into the audience*, then a demo to show the density of carbon dioxide where candles were extinguished.
With the help of 6 audience members, Usmaa demonstrated the power of friction on some phone directories (which were a novel idea to the students amongst the audience, let along the tug of war to try and separate them!).
A very brave George then ignited some butane flames, and we finished with an igniting a rock using electricity with a very loud bang (luckily not damaging any ceiling tiles!).
Dr Kennedy, Director of Science gave the following statement “I became a scientist as a direct result of watching the RI Christmas Lectures when I was a child.
“When I discovered the grant, I immediately applied and was thrilled to be offered the shows to our students and community.
“Usmaa delivered a fantastic interactive and interesting set of shows, and we look forward to exploring the lectures in lessons going forward.”
Tewkesbury Academy hosts Cheltenham district annual B team Futsal Tournament
This week, Tewkesbury Academy was a hub of energy and excitement as it hosted the highly anticipated Cheltenham District Annual B Team Futsal Tournament.
The event brought together over 500 talented players from Year 8 to Year 11 across local schools, each showcasing their incredible skills, sportsmanship, and school pride.
The action-packed tournament highlighted the dedication and determination of the young athletes as they competed fiercely while upholding the values of respect and teamwork.
Tewkesbury Academy’s own teams delivered exceptional performances, embodying the school’s core values both on and off the pitch. Their commitment to the game and positive attitudes shone throughout the tournament, making the school proud.
The tournament was not just about competition—it was a celebration of football, fitness, and community spirit. The event brought together students, teachers, and spectators, creating an atmosphere of sportsmanship and enthusiasm.
A huge thank you goes out to all the staff who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this event possible. Their efforts ensured a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
A spokesperson for the event remarked: “This tournament has been a fantastic celebration of talent, teamwork, and the joy of sport.
“It’s wonderful to see students from so many schools come together to showcase their abilities and support one another.
“Events like this highlight the incredible sense of community and sportsmanship we strive to foster.”
Concentration, determination, a huge effort, and major sporting prowess were on full display as Tewkesbury Academy’s Year 10 netball team showcased their talent on the court.
In a closely-contested match against Prince Henry’s High, the team demonstrated exceptional teamwork and resilience.
After a tightly-fought first half, they stepped up their defence, making key rebounds and interceptions to take control of the game.
Their shooters delivered consistent precision under pressure, securing a well-deserved 18-12 victory.
A spokesperson for the team commented: “The school community is immensely proud of the team’s dedication and sportsmanship.
“A special mention to B Harris, who was awarded lady of the match. Congratulations on your fantastic performance!”
Well done to the entire team – keep up the great work!
Congratulations to Alfie, a Year 8 pupil at Tewkesbury Academy, who has achieved outstanding success in water polo.
Alfie competed in the prestigious Mike Glover Water Polo Cup, held at the Manchester Aquatics Centre.
Representing the Cheltenham Water Polo team, Alfie showcased exceptional skill and determination, securing a silver medal in his age group.
The team narrowly missed out on gold, losing by just one goal in a thrilling final.
A spokesperson for Tewkesbury Academy said: “We are incredibly proud of Alfie’s dedication and achievements in water polo.
“His performance at such a high-level competition is a testament to his hard work and passion for the sport. We look forward to seeing what he accomplishes next.
“Well done, Alfie, on this fantastic accomplishment. We wish you continued success as you make waves in the world of water polo.”
At Tewkesbury Academy’s after-school Make & Bake club, students enthusiastically rolled up their sleeves, tied on their aprons, and got to work creating culinary delights.
This week, the spotlight was on baking as the students prepared delicious flapjack cookies.
The young bakers demonstrated impressive skills in measuring, mixing, and baking, resulting in treats that had everyone’s mouths watering.
While the goal was to take the cookies home, it was still a challenge for students to resist the temptation to taste them fresh from the oven!
A spokesperson for the academy said: “We’re so proud of the students’ enthusiasm and creativity in the Make & Bake club.
“Activities like these not only help them develop practical life skills but also encourage teamwork and a love for learning.
“It’s wonderful to see their confidence grow with each session.”
