Students at Tewkesbury Academy are celebrating their GCSE results today (Thursday 20 August). The hall was brimming with families and staff congratulating Year 11 on their hard work and determination. The Academy was particularly pleased to see a number of students achieving high grades across the board as well as strong performances in subjects such as photography, history, French and music.
Ms McGillycuddy, Principal, said “We are incredibly proud of all our students particularly this year where they have shown extra determination and resilience. Tewkesbury is a wonderful place to grow up and Tewkesbury Academy is a great place to learn. We look forward to seeing many of our Year 11s again when they join our sixth form next month.
The Academy would also like to thank its staff, families and wider community for their continued support in helping students achieve their goals and realise their potential.
If any young people are interested in joining our ever-improving sixth form, please do get in touch for a conversation. Please contact sixthform@ta.clf.uk
Students at Tewkesbury Academy are celebrating another successful set of A-level and Level 3 results, reflecting their resilience, ambition and hard work throughout their studies.
This year, 40% of A-level grades were awarded at A to B, an increase on last year and a clear indication of the strong performance achieved by many students across the academy.
Grades awarded at A*-A improved to 15% yet another indicator of improvement and nearly 60% of grades were awarded at A to C*, whilst 91% of entries secured a pass grade of A to E*.
The academy was particularly pleased to see strong performance across a broad range of subjects. Business, physical education, geography, history, health & social care, English language, media and engineering all delivered positive value-added outcomes, contributing to an overall improvement in student progress and reflecting the strength of the academy’s diverse sixth form curriculum.
Students will now progress to an exciting range of destinations, including university courses in cyber security, sports journalism, interior design, business, finance and criminology. The Academy is also celebrating some high-quality apprenticeship destinations notably for Jack Wilkinson at Gallaghers on their Specialty Financial Lines programme and Tom Davies at Dalcour Maclaren on their Chartered Degree Apprentice Environmental Planner programme.
Principal Kathleen McGillycuddy said “We are incredibly proud of our students and all they have achieved. These results reflect their determination, perseverance and commitment over the past two years.
“It has been a challenging year, yet our young people have continued to demonstrate resilience and ambition, and they leave us well prepared for the next stage of their education, training and careers.
“Tewkesbury is a wonderful place to grow up and Tewkesbury Academy is a great place to learn. We congratulate all of our students on their achievements and wish them every success for the future.”
The academy would also like to thank its staff, families and wider community for their continued support in helping students achieve their goals and realise their potential.
Fifty Year 8 students and staff from Tewkesbury Academy recently embarked on an unforgettable educational visit to Paris.
Students enjoyed the opportunity to experience some of France’s most iconic landmarks while earning praise for their exemplary behaviour throughout the trip.
Following a smooth journey to Calais, the group began their adventure with a relaxing cruise along the River Seine, taking in the sights of the French capital from the water.
They then spent time exploring the area surrounding the world-famous Eiffel Tower, where students enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere and sampled delicious French cuisine.
The second day of the visit saw students immersed in French history and culture with a breathtaking tour of the magnificent Palace of Versailles. They explored the palace’s opulent halls and stunning gardens, with many captivated by its remarkable beauty and grandeur.
The group then travelled to the artistic district of Montmartre, where they enjoyed browsing the artisan shops and experiencing one of Paris’s most celebrated neighbourhoods.
The day’s adventures concluded with a memorable visit to the top of the Arc de Triomphe, offering spectacular views across the city.
The excitement continued with a full day at Parc Astérix, where students made the most of the sunshine, enjoying thrilling roller coasters, attractions and plenty of laughter together.
Throughout the trip, the students represented Tewkesbury Academy with pride, receiving compliments from members of the public for their outstanding conduct.
Tom Spencer, Head of Year, said: “The students have been phenomenal, especially with the very warm weather. They have been polite, respectful and enthusiastic.
“We’ve had members of the public commenting on how brilliant they’ve been – a very proud Head of Year moment.”
The Paris trip provided students with the opportunity to experience French culture, history and language firsthand while creating lasting memories with their classmates.
The academy is immensely proud of the way the students embraced every opportunity, demonstrating maturity, curiosity and respect throughout the visit.
Year 11 students from Tewkesbury Academy marked the end of their secondary school journey with a spectacular prom at Hatherley Manor, arriving in unforgettable style for an evening of celebration.
From high-performance sports cars, vintage vehicles, motorbikes and lorries to horses and even a helicopter, students pulled out all the stops for their grand entrances, creating an exciting spectacle for everyone in attendance.
Bathed in glorious sunshine, the event was filled with a fantastic atmosphere as proud parents, families and academy staff gathered to watch students arrive and celebrate this important milestone.
The Year 11 students looked incredible in elegant prom dresses, smart suits and stylish tuxedos as they enjoyed an evening of celebration with friends, marking the end of their time at Tewkesbury Academy. It was a fitting send-off, with plenty of smiles, laughter and memories to last a lifetime.
The academy would like to thank Hatherley Manor for hosting the event and photographer Jack Boskett for capturing the highlights of this special occasion in the school calendar.
As students now look ahead to the next chapter, everyone at the academy wishes them a relaxing and well-deserved summer break.
A spokesperson for the academy said: “Prom is always one of the highlights of the school year, and this year’s event was truly unforgettable.
“It was wonderful to see our Year 11 students celebrating together after working so hard throughout their time at the academy.
“They looked absolutely fantastic, and the incredible variety of arrivals reflected their enthusiasm and personalities. We are immensely proud of everything they have achieved and wish them every success as they await their results and prepare for the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.”
Tewkesbury Academy was delighted to welcome local businesses, education establishments and friends of the academy to support Year 10 students through a series of practice interviews.
In preparation for the event, students had been developing their CVs during careers lessons and receiving guidance on how to approach interviews with confidence and professionalism.
Each student was given the opportunity to take part in a one-to-one interview with a visiting professional, who generously shared valuable recruitment advice and constructive feedback as part of the experience.
Our students presented themselves exceptionally well and organisers received an abundance of positive feedback from partners. The experienced recruiters conducted the interviews with kindness and encouragement, enabling students to build confidence and develop essential communication skills that will support them in their future education and career pathways.
Sarah Baird, Careers and Pathways Lead at Tewkesbury Academy, said: “We are incredibly grateful to all of the professionals who gave their time to support our students.
“These mock interviews provide a fantastic opportunity for students to experience a real interview environment, helping them to develop their confidence, communication skills and understanding of employer expectations.
“The positive feedback received from our visitors was a testament to the preparation, professionalism and enthusiasm shown by our Year 10 students.”
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the following organisations for their support:
Geometric Manufacturing Ltd
Ontic
Hazlewoods LLP
Babcock
Department of Work and Pensions
Hartpury University
Gloucestershire College
SGS College
Acorns Children’s Hospice
Ageas Insurance Ltd
Skanska
Hilton Puckrup Hall
Tewkesbury Borough Council
Alan Bartholemew (Police)
Anne Bartholemew (Teaching/Rotary)
National Star College
Clearwater Products Ltd
Thirteen students from Tewkesbury Academy have successfully completed an exciting skatepark graffiti mural project, transforming a community space while developing valuable creative skills.
Working alongside professional graffiti artist Nathan from Jaksta Art, students had the opportunity to take part in a real-life community arts project from concept to completion.
Throughout the project, they gained hands-on experience designing and creating a large-scale mural, learning how to use spray paints safely and effectively while exploring a range of graffiti and street art techniques.
The students demonstrated exceptional enthusiasm, creativity and commitment throughout the week, taking great pride in their work and embracing the opportunity to learn from an experienced professional artist.
The finished mural is a vibrant addition to the skate park and a lasting legacy that the students, and the wider community, can enjoy for years to come.
Tewkesbury Academy would like to extend its sincere thanks to Nathan from Jaksta Art for his expertise, patience and support throughout the project. The academy would also like to thank Northway Parish Council for funding the initiative and making this valuable opportunity possible.
Kate Murtagh, Associate Assistant Principal, said: “This project has been a fantastic opportunity for our students to express their creativity, develop new artistic skills and contribute positively to their local community.
“It has been wonderful to see their confidence grow throughout the week as they worked alongside a professional artist and brought their ideas to life.
“The finished mural is something they should all be incredibly proud of, and it will serve as a lasting reminder of what can be achieved through teamwork, creativity and community partnership.
“Congratulations to all of the students involved for their hard work, dedication and outstanding achievement. Their artwork has left a lasting mark on the skate park and created something that the whole community can be proud of.”
Year 9 students at Tewkesbury Academy recently took part in an exciting Mission to Mars STEM workshop delivered by engineers from Airbus.
As the largest commercial aerospace company in the world, and the UK’s largest space company, Airbus is at the forefront of European commercial and space innovation. Airbus in Stevenage has developed Europe’s first interplanetary rover vehicle for the European Space Agency, the Rosalind Franklin ExoMars Rover, which is expected to launch in 2029.
The event was made possible with the support of Tewkesbury MP Cameron Thomas, who helped arrange this fantastic opportunity for students.
Kate Murtagh, Associate Assistant Principal, said, “As you can see from the photos, the students thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Working in teams, they took on the roles of both scientists and engineers, exploring Mars in search of alien life and operating a model Mars rover.
“The activities challenged students to communicate effectively, solve problems, and work collaboratively to complete their mission. The enthusiasm, teamwork and professionalism shown by all students was outstanding, and they were a real credit to the school.
“We are incredibly proud of how they embraced the challenge and engaged with real-world STEM applications.”
Well done to our future scientists and engineers from Year 9.
Year 9 students from Tewkesbury Academy took part in a planning session run by Tewkesbury Borough Council.
Through a series of tasks, students shared their ideas about the leisure facilities and services they would like to have in the proposed garden town.
Two Tewkesbury Academy alumni returned to support the event. Morgan Pavey explained how jobs in several towns had led him back to his home town of Tewkesbury where he is now completing an IT apprenticeship with Tewkesbury Borough Council.
Margot Messenger talked passionately about her human geography degree and master’s course in urban planning. It was lovely to hear of their successes.
Huge thanks to Sarah Baird, Careers and Pathways Leader at Tewkesbury Academy, for all the brilliant organisation and to all who supported the event.
Sarah said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for our students to have their voices heard and contribute ideas that could help shape the future of their community.
“They approached the activities with enthusiasm, creativity and maturity, and it was wonderful to see them engaging with real-life planning challenges.
“We were also delighted to welcome back former students Morgan and Margot, whose experiences provided valuable inspiration and demonstrated the many different pathways available after leaving school.”
Tewkesbury Academy’s after school clubs are proving a real hit with students.
A recent highlight at the academy’s make and bake club has been students using their creative talents to design, make and sew pocket mobile phone cases.
Their amazing hard work and efforts have produced bright, colourful and trendy cases that wouldn’t look out of place in a high street store.
A spokesperson for the academy said: “It has been fantastic to see our students showing such creativity, enthusiasm and attention to detail during the club sessions.
“The phone cases they have produced are incredibly impressive and reflect the students’ imagination and commitment.
“After school clubs like this provide a wonderful opportunity for students to learn new skills, build confidence and enjoy working together in a fun and supportive environment.”
A leaders’ celebration marking the achievements and successes of Year 13 students of Tewkesbury Academy has been held in the beautiful and grand setting of Tewkesbury Abbey.
It was a wonderful occasion and truly heart‑warming to see so many proud families, staff, dignitaries and guests coming together to wish the class of 2026 well as they reach the end of their journey with Tewkesbury Sixth Form and prepare to begin their final examinations.
The evening included speeches from Dr Griggs, Director of Sixth Form, and Ms de Glanville, Vice Principal.
Attendees were treated to two outstanding guitar performances from Tom Shenton, while addresses from Head Students, Sophie Messenger and Olivier Eden, were delivered with powerful words and heartfelt meaning.
Thomas Davies shared a deeply moving poem, before Amelia Kleczynska rounded off the evening with her words of thanks.
School leaders congratulated all prize winners and every student who contributed to the service. A special thank you to Father Nick for his kind words and blessing, to teaching staff, to guests for attending, and most of all parents, carers and families for their ongoing support.
A spokesperson for Tewkesbury Academy said: “The Year 13 leavers’ celebration was a truly special evening and a fitting way to recognise the achievements, resilience and character of this exceptional year group.
“We are incredibly proud of all they have accomplished during their time with us and wish every student the very best as they begin the next exciting chapter of their lives.”
Congratulations to the following students who received awards for their outstanding achievements:
Peter Remmer Service to the Community – Esme Burton, Martha Simpson, Dervla Hiller, Sophie Messenger, Beth Roberts and Eva Messenger
Henry Disston Award for Science and Technology – Leland Pratley
Shirley Wood Humanities Award – Max Bishop
Alan Hayes Award for Drama – Stanley McKenna
Tim Hill Sports Award – Martha Simpson
Martyn Alan Scholarship – Liam Russell
Outstanding Contribution to Sixth Form – Olivier Eden
Outstanding Contribution to Sixth Form – Sophie Messenger
Outstanding Effort Award – Samuel Whatmore
Personal Excellence Award – George Macpherson
Contribution to Sixth Form Community – Esme Burton
Outstanding Conduct Award – Jack Powell
Determination & Progress Award – Amelia Kleczynska
Sixth Form Ambassador Award – Thomas Davies
We wish the Class of 2026 all the best for the exciting journeys that lie ahead.
