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.”
Tewkesbury Academy student Emilia Davis has achieved remarkable sporting success in her activities with the Sea Cadets.
An avid cadet in her free time, Emilia has welcomed the opportunity to explore a variety of water sports through the program. Her dedication and hard work have paid off significantly in recent district events.
Emilia participated in the Sea Cadet District Kayaking and Sailing events, where she excelled in multiple categories. Competing in the girls’ under-14 division, Emilia proudly took home several awards:
gold medal in the kayaking 2,000m time trials
gold medal in the kayaking 500m sprint
gold medal in sailboat handling
overall junior girls paddle sports winner
These impressive achievements have qualified Emilia to represent Tewkesbury Sea Cadet Juniors in the upcoming area trials in Birmingham this summer.
A spokesperson said: “The entire Tewkesbury Academy community wishes her every success as she continues to demonstrate her skill and passion for water sports.”
Tewkesbury Academy’s Year 10 hospitality and catering students had the opportunity to learn from an expert chef during a visit Gloucestershire College.
Accompanied by Design and Technology technicians Jerry Brown and Jen Adcock, the Tewkesbury group was warmly welcomed into the college’s student kitchens.
During their visit, the students had the opportunity to learn the art of pasta making. They were guided through the process of making fresh pasta dough, and then shown how to cut, fill, and shape the pasta into tortellini.
The session concluded with the students cooking, dressing, and finally enjoying their culinary creations.
A highlight of the visit was the presence of Renark Cousins, a chef and teacher at Gloucestershire College, who is also a former student of Tewkesbury Academy. His welcome for the current students added a special touch to the event.
Feedback from the staff at Gloucestershire College about the visit was very positive and they were impressed by the impeccable behaviour, maturity and respect shown by students throughout the activity.
Miss Adcock said: “It was a fantastic afternoon, and the students were a credit to the academy. We look forward to visiting again in the future.”
Tewkesbury Academy Pottery Club students – accompanied by Art Technician Laura Ply and Art Teacher Laura Dutton – enjoyed a sunny, extra-curricular visit to an art exhibition at Showborough House Gardens, near Twyning.
Students from the academy have their own beautiful handcrafted ceramic masterpieces ‘the magical murmuration’ currently exhibited in the wonderful outdoor display.
Laura Ply said: “Their talent and hands-on creativity shone brightly. This was a trip filled with artistic inspiration and proud achievements.”
A big thank you to Laura Ply, Laura Dutton and the Art Department for giving their time to this activity each week and the trip.
The exhibition is on until 16 June, from Thursday to Sunday 10.30-4pm, if you’d like to visit.
Year 10 and Year 12 students from Tewkesbury Academy were delighted to welcome visitors involved in the planning of the North Ashchurch Garden Community development.
The Tewkesbury Garden Communities programme promotes the creation of sustainable, community-focused developments in the Garden Communities area.
During the visit, geography students gained valuable insights into the planning and implementation of such significant projects. They learned about the numerous careers related to urban planning, ranging from ecologists dedicated to preserving wildlife to civil engineers and lawyers who play vital roles in town development.
The session provided students with a comprehensive understanding of the master planning process for new residential areas. They engaged enthusiastically with various activities, including using a range of maps to identify limitations and opportunities at the North Ashchurch Garden Community site and analysing the impact on wildlife and how it is managed.
Students then had the chance to design their own masterplan. This offered our students the chance to share their ideas on what they would like to see in the new development.
Lucie Davis, Associate Assistant Principal, said: “I was very proud of the way our students represented the school and the contributions they made to the workshop. Thank you very much to Sarah, Matt and Colin who led the session and created such an interesting and interactive experience for our students giving them an insight into applying classroom learning to the world of work. It truly was geography in action.”
