Tewkesbury Academy is celebrating another great year and congratulates our Y11 students on their success in their GCSEs and other Level 2 awards. Their success reflects not only their own hard work but also determined input from teachers and families who have motivated and encouraged these young people to strive to give their best.
Tewkesbury Academy is delighted that so many of our Year 11s are choosing to continue their studies at Tewkesbury Academy Sixth Form for A levels, BTEC awards and other Level 3 courses. We look forward to welcoming them back along with new joiners to our 6th Form on Wednesday 4th September.
Special congratulations go to our highest attaining students Lucy Overthrow, George MacPherson, Maggie Stather, Esme Burton, Issy French, Sam Whatmore, Amelia Brookes, Aoifie Kelly and Ollie Eden.
Kathleen McGillycuddy, Principal, said “It’s always a joyous event to celebrate the achievement of the young people of Tewkesbury and to see them relish the fruits of their labours! This year’s results yet again demonstrate that attendance and hard work will unlock great results. Well done to the class of 2024 and we look forward to seeing many of them shortly in Year 12.”
Whatever our Y11 leavers decide to do in the future, whether joining our popular 6th Form, continuing their studies elsewhere, or starting apprenticeships, we wish them all good luck!
Steve Taylor CEO of the Cabot Learning Federation said: “Across the Cabot Learning Federation, we have almost 1,800 students collecting their results today after 12 years of education, and the day is all about them as individuals. There are some extraordinary stories of young people achieving well against the odds, showing the tenacity and commitment to invest in themselves and their futures. We know that they are making their parents and carers and our colleagues proud, and we’re just as excited to see where they go next as what they find when they open their envelopes today. Well done to them and thank you to the many colleagues who have nurtured their potential and helped them to grow from the first day they were dropped off at school!”
Tewkesbury Academy’s Sixth Form team has spoken of the ‘immense pride’ at the achievements of this year’s graduating students.
The impressive results reflect the hard study efforts of Tewkesbury’s young people, as well as the inspiration and motivation received from not only their Sixth Form teachers and tutors at Tewkesbury Academy, but also every teacher who has contributed to their learning over the past 14 years.
The school offered thank to students’ families who have supported and encouraged sixth formers during their studies.
Across the cohort, Tewkesbury students will now be embarking on a range of exciting new directions.
Many continue with academia and among those students heading to top universities are Caitlin Whitefoot who is going to University of Warwick to study English literature and creative writing; Vlad Yatsyna who is going to University of Leicester to study software engineering; Ellena McNamee who heads to University of Liverpool to read law and Jack Scorer has earned a place at the University of Warwick for film studies.
Exeter University will be the next destination for Jess Quinn, who will study theology and religion and Amberley Hall to study business with a year abroad.
Some students continue their studies locally: Sam Roberts is heading down the road to the University of Gloucestershire to study business and management, Darcy Coleman is going to the University of Worcester to study environmental management and sustainability and Louis Pugh is also staying local to study graphic design.
Several students are taking the apprenticeship route, and we look forward to hearing how Sophie Hulse gets on with her Formula 1 apprenticeship.
Kathleen McGillycuddy, Principal of Tewkesbury Academy, said: “We are immensely proud of all our young people and the hard work they have put in to secure their destinations, whether university or apprenticeships. We have a brilliant group of youngsters heading out into the world – we wish them much luck.”
Pic taken by Jack Boskett
Tewkesbury Academy’s Expressive Art and Technology team would like to extend their sincere gratitude to all the families who joined them in celebrating the exceptional work of talented Year 11 and Year 13 students.
The event showcased more than 100 pieces of outstanding work, highlighting the creativity and hard work of Tewkesbury’s students.
An estimated 150 attendees, including parents, carers, grandparents, and friends, helped make the event a truly memorable occasion.
Kate Murtagh, Tewkesbury’s Associate Assistant Principal, said: “To everyone that attended, thank you for coming together to celebrate the dedication and achievements of our students this year.
“Your support and encouragement are invaluable to us, and we look forward to many more opportunities to celebrate our students’ achievements together.”
Tewkesbury Academy students were given a taste of democracy in action today, when they staged their own mock General Election.
As the nation went to the polls to select a Government for the coming years, Tewkesbury students were enjoying their own hands-on experience of the democratic process.
In this unique exercise, all students were given the opportunity to cast their votes for the three main parties standing in the Tewkesbury constituency. However, the parties were anonymised and identified only by numbers 1, 2, and 3.
Party number 1 was Labour, party number 2 was Conservative, and party number 3 Liberal Democrats.
The primary objective of this initiative is to help students grasp their role within the voting system and gain a practical understanding of the general election process.
We are excited to announce that the party duly elected to serve Tewkesbury Academy is the Liberal Democrats.
Thomas Pilkington, Head of Year 11 and election organiser, said: “This event not only provided a valuable learning experience but also encouraged thoughtful discussion and engagement among students about the democratic process and the significance of elections.”
A Pearson report into the state of education across the country has found almost 1.5 million children are struggling to engage with their learning.
Greatest Hits Radio spoke to Kathleen McGillycuddy, Principal of Tewkesbury Academy to find out more about this.
Tewkesbury Academy has offered nearly 200 Year 10 students a valuable insight into the world of work by inviting them to participate in mock interviews.
Representatives from 20 local businesses, colleges, and partner organisations generously volunteered their time to participate in this event, held in the academy library.
In preparation for the interviews, students were asked to create a CV to present during their session. They received first-hand advice and feedback from experienced recruiters, gaining insights into the attributes and qualities that employers seek when hiring.
Nearly 200 Year 10 students participated, benefitting from practice interviews that aimed to enhance their understanding of professional expectations.
Sarah Baird, Tewkesbury’s Careers Lead, said: “Tewkesbury Academy is extremely proud of all the students who embraced this opportunity with such a positive attitude.
“While many were understandably nervous, the students approached their interviews with maturity and courage.
“For most, this was their first experience of a formal conversation, and our aim is that this encounter will allow students to grow in confidence and develop some essential employability skills.”
The event also facilitated valuable networking opportunities. Local business partners expressed their enjoyment in meeting the students and appreciated the chance to engage with the future workforce.
Tewkesbury Academy looks forward to continuing this initiative, reinforcing the importance of practical experience in preparing students for their future careers.
Year 12 history students at Tewkesbury Academy participated in an engaging session exploring the experience of African Americans in the USA from 1920 to 1955.
The session was led by Dr Christian O’Connell, a distinguished lecturer in American history from the University of Gloucestershire.
Dr O’Connell’s lecture delved into the origins of the American Civil Rights movement that emerged during these pivotal years. He traced the progress made, highlighted key eras of change, and explained the factors contributing to the slow pace of progress at times.
The session provided students with a comprehensive understanding of the historical context and the complexities surrounding the Civil Rights movement.
In addition to experiencing a university-style lecture, students engaged in interactive questions designed to encourage deeper reflection on the topic. This interactive component stimulated thoughtful discussion and enhanced the students’ grasp of the material.
Lucie Davis, a history teacher at Tewkesbury Academy, said: “I was delighted to see several of our students’ volunteering answers and sharing their views. It was a really interesting talk which will hopefully have deepened the students’ understanding of the topic and inspired them to pursue their studies at a higher level in the future.
“Thank you to Dr O’Connell for giving us his time and delivering such an interesting talk.”
The session was a valuable opportunity for Tewkesbury Academy students to gain insights from an expert in the field and to enrich their historical knowledge, potentially inspiring future academic pursuits in history.
Thirteen Tewkesbury Academy scientists have excelled in the Biology Challenge, a quiz-style competition aimed at 13- to 15-year-olds.
This rigorous contest required students to complete two multiple-choice papers online, with questions spanning the school curriculum and delving into topics like the vulnerability of tall trees to climate change.
The Biology Challenge encourages young scientists to engage in additional reading and explore natural history programs. With nearly 700 schools participating and around 45,000 entrants, the competition is fierce.
Tewkesbury students’ exceptional performance is a testament to their hard work and dedication:
Commended: Three students
Highly Commended: Eight students
Bronze Award: Rhys (pictured)
Silver Award: Charlie (pictured)
The Bronze and Silver awards place Rhys and Charlie in the top 15% and 10% of participants respectively, highlighting their outstanding achievements.
Dr Alice Kennedy, Director of Science, praised ‘the phenomenal achievement of the group and all those who took part’.
Congratulations to all our talented students for their remarkable accomplishments.
Students from Years 7-10 at Tewkesbury Academy were treated to an inspiring and enlightening talk by the accomplished author, Simon James Green.
With a portfolio of 12 award-winning books for children and young adults, Simon James Green shared his journey to becoming a successful writer, captivating the young audience with his experiences and insights.
During his visit, Simon engaged the students with stories from his own life, detailing the challenges and triumphs he encountered on his path to becoming an author. He emphasised the importance of perseverance, creativity, and believing in oneself, offering valuable advice to the aspiring writers and avid readers in attendance.
One of the key themes of Simon’s talk was the significance of representation in fiction. He highlighted how diverse characters and inclusive stories can resonate with readers from all backgrounds, helping to foster empathy and understanding.
Students had the opportunity to ask Simon questions, leading to an engaging and interactive session. They were eager to learn more about his writing process, his inspiration, and his thoughts on current trends in literature.
A spokesperson for Tewkesbury Academy said: “We are proud to have hosted such a prominent figure in children’s and young adult literature. Simon’s visit has undoubtedly left a lasting impact on our students, encouraging them to explore their own creative potential and to appreciate the power of literature.”
Tewkesbury Academy welcomed representatives of respected construction firms Bouygues and Skanska to deliver an inspiriting talk on careers in construction.
Students from Year 10 mathematics were provided with an invaluable insight into how various school subjects such as maths, English, science, history, geography, and more are applied in the construction industry.
The students were given an opportunity to learn about the diverse roles available within the construction sector and the technical pathways they could pursue in the future.
This initiative aims to broaden their understanding of career options and inspire them to consider a future in construction.
Sarah Baird, Tewkesbury Careers Lead/Adviser, said: “Thank you to Bouygues and Skanska for giving our students this opportunity and for their ongoing support with our careers programme.”
