All Year 11 and Year 12 students from Tewkesbury Academy had the incredible opportunity to attend the C2S Growth careers event at the iconic Cheltenham Racecourse.
This event brought together leading businesses, industry experts and educational partners to inspire and inform young people about the diverse career pathways available to them.
The day was packed with interactive stands, networking opportunities and motivational talks designed to help students explore future options and develop essential employability skills. From learning about apprenticeships and university routes to discovering emerging careers in technology, healthcare and engineering, our students gained valuable insights into the world of work.
Sarah Baird, Careers and Pathways Lead at Tewkesbury Academy, commented: “This event is a fantastic way for our students to connect with employers and understand the skills and qualities they need for success in the modern workplace”.
Circle to Success, a respected business network, hosted a range of local and national employers who shared their expertise and offered practical advice. Students left feeling inspired and better prepared to make informed decisions about their next steps.
Tewkesbury Academy is committed to providing meaningful career experiences and this visit reflects the school’s dedication to preparing students for life beyond education.
Forty-Eight Year 11 students from Tewkesbury Academy enjoyed an extraordinary theatre experience to the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon.
The group watched a truly innovative and captivating performance of Macbeth, reimagined within a gritty Glaswegian mob setting.
The production offered powerful and dynamic interpretations of Shakespeare’s characters, keeping our students fully engaged from beginning to end.
English and Drama teacher Mr. Spencer commented: “I am so proud of the behaviour and conduct of our students during this enrichment opportunity, who also received praise from a member of the public.”
Adding to the excitement of the day, the audience included theatre legends Dame Judi Dench and Sir Ian McKellen—an unforgettable highlight for everyone present.
Tewkesbury Academy’s school community came together for an annual Remembrance Day event this week – an important and moving occasion in the academy calendar.
At 11am, all 1,000 students along with staff, invited guests and members of the Academy Council gathered outside and observed a two-minute silence to honour the courage and sacrifice of those who have served in the armed forces.
Students from the Boys’ Brigade, Scouts, Guides and the Air, Army, and Sea Cadets proudly wore their uniforms and were joined by their unit leaders for a commemorative parade. The school is incredibly grateful for their continued support and participation in this meaningful tradition.
Henry from Year 12 recited We Will Remember Them in front of the school and special guest Janet Stuart, mother of former student Matthew, who tragically lost his life in the Falklands War while serving his country. Each year, Tewkesbury Cadets conclude their parade at the tree planted at the front of the school in Matthew’s memory.
Year 12 student Ava laid a wreath at the memorial, along with Matthew’s mother. School leaders were honoured to be joined by several ex-service personnel who paid their respects along with staff and students.
Principal Kathleen McGillycuddy and former member of staff Mr Brown who served as a submariner gave heartfelt tributes acknowledging the service of students’ family members – past and present – and shared their pride in the Cadets for their dedication and respectful involvement.
Chair of Academy Council Sue Maizonnier said: “I always enjoy being a part of this poignant and special occasion. We are proud of the way our students continue to uphold the values of remembrance, respect, and community.”
Students from Year 8 and Year 9 at Tewkesbury Academy took part in the Empower Cyber event held at the University of Gloucestershire, where they immersed themselves in a range of engaging and interactive workshops designed to spark interest in the world of cyber and computing.
Students took on a series of exciting challenges, including digital escape rooms, solving film titles and sayings from emojis, coding robots to follow specific routes, and even attempting to steal a secret chicken recipe through a simulated cyber mission.
The day provided students with a valuable insight into the variety of roles and career paths available within the cyber and computing industries, as well as an opportunity to apply some of the real-world skills used by professionals in the field.
Both groups were a credit to the school, showing enthusiasm, teamwork, and curiosity throughout the day.
Tom Lakin, lead teacher of computing and IT at Tewkesbury Academy, said: “It was fantastic to see our students so engaged in hands-on activities that not only challenged their problem-solving and teamwork skills but also opened their eyes to the growing opportunities within the cyber industry.
“Events like this really help bring classroom learning to life and inspire the next generation of digital innovators.”
Students from Tewkesbury Academy recently took part in the CyberFirst south west AI Symposium, the first event in a new series launched by CyberFirst south west.
The symposium took place at SGS Berkeley Green UTC and brought together schools, universities, and industry experts to explore the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence.
During the visit, students attended fascinating talks from leading institutions and organisations, including the University of Gloucestershire on Cyber Security in Medical Implants, the University of the West of England on AI in Cyber Defence, and Gate One, who explored innovative uses of AI in sport, homework, and policing.
In the afternoon, students took part in a range of interactive workshops delivered by industry partners.
Activities included spotting and generating AI images, building and programming attachments for AI-powered LEGO robots, and learning how police forces are using AI technology to help solve crimes.
Students participated enthusiastically throughout the day and left the event inspired, with fresh ideas about the potential applications of AI and career pathways that may not even exist yet. They were a real credit to Tewkesbury Academy.
Tom Lakin, Lead Teacher in Computing and IT, said: “It was fantastic to see our students so engaged with the possibilities of AI.
“Events like this help them understand not only how technology shapes our world today but also how they can be part of creating the innovations of tomorrow.”
The under-16s netball team from Tewkesbury Academy delivered an outstanding performance at a recent challenge tournament hosted at Cheltenham Ladies’ College, competing against strong teams from across the region.
After a tough opening game, the squad showed incredible resilience, bouncing back in style to win their next four matches.
Their success was built on brilliant teamwork, determination, and a positive spirit that carried them through each fixture.
Team coach, Mrs Hirons, praised the players, saying: “Their resilience, teamwork and determination shone through in every game, and they ended the tournament finishing second in their group.
“This impressive result is a testament to the hard work, commitment, and passion of the entire team.
“Huge congratulations go to all players for their fantastic efforts and achievements on court.”
Tewkesbury Academy has issued a warning to parents following reports that hundreds of children across the region have been added to a WhatsApp group containing inappropriate and illegal content.
The group, titled “World Record Breakers,” has been identified as a platform where harmful material is being shared. The Academy has taken swift action, contacting parents directly to raise awareness of the issue and urging them to speak to their children about the dangers of online activity.
BBC Radio Gloucestershire spoke to Principal of Tewkesbury Academy Kathleen McGillycuddy to find out more.
The Year 8 rugby team from Tewkesbury Academy recently took part in a highly competitive district tournament held at Cheltenham Tigers Rugby Club.
The event brought together teams from across the area, showcasing an excellent standard of school rugby.
The Tewkesbury Academy squad faced some tough opposition throughout the competition, demonstrating resilience, teamwork, and determination in every match.
Despite a series of strong performances, the team narrowly missed out on a place in the semi-finals.
Reflecting on the event, Mr Gowers praised the players’ efforts, saying: “It was clear the whole team gave it their all and represented the school with pride and determination, well done boys.”
Every year on 26 September, Tewkesbury Academy proudly celebrates the European Day of Languages, an event dedicated to promoting the rich linguistic and cultural diversity of Europe.
As part of this year’s celebrations, Head of French, Ms Germain, organised a creative competition with the theme European Languages.
Students were invited to showcase their talents by submitting a poster, painting, photograph, or decorated cake, with Amazon vouchers awarded to the winning entries.
The competition drew a variety of imaginative and high-quality submissions, reflecting the enthusiasm of the students.
Adding to the festivities, the Year 9 catering group prepared the classic French dish croque monsieur, a hot ham and cheese sandwich enhanced with creamy béchamel sauce, baked or fried until golden and bubbling.
This culinary experience offered students not only a delicious treat but also a chance to engage with French culture in a fun and educational way.
A spokesperson for Tewkesbury Academy said: “We are delighted to see our students embracing the spirit of the European Day of Languages.
“The creativity shown in the competition entries and the enthusiasm in the catering activity highlight the importance of celebrating cultural diversity.
“Learning about languages and traditions helps our students to broaden their horizons and deepen their understanding of the world around them.”
Tewkesbury Academy has proudly unveiled a new Roll of Honour Alumni Board in its gym, celebrating the incredible achievements of former students across a wide range of sporting disciplines.
The display spans from 1972 to 2025 and showcases an extraordinary array of talent and dedication.
It stands as an inspiration for current and future students, reinforcing the academy’s commitment to building pride and ambition within its community.
Among those celebrated are:
Sarah Hoefflin – Winter Olympic gold medalist
Adam Harper – National boxing champion
Craig Openshaw – World record holder in open water swimming
Hattie Bailey – Cheerleading England
Mollie Courtney – GB Athletics national champion
Amelie Curtis – Wales U19 football international
Chloe Sheppard – GB U23 rowing athlete
Megan Ahearne – Women’s senior Gloucestershire Cricket
Marc Richards – England University football captain
Principal of Tewkesbury Academy, Kathleen McGillycuddy, said: “We are incredibly proud of our alumni and the diverse paths they have taken to achieve success at the very highest levels.
“The Roll of Honour is not just a celebration of past achievements, but also a source of inspiration for our students today – reminding them that with ambition, hard work and resilience, they too can go on to accomplish extraordinary things. It is also testament to the teachers who have supported and inspired over the years and we owe a big thank you to Mr Graham-Kevan for bringing this project to fruition”
The board will be updated regularly to reflect the continuing achievements of former pupils and stands as a permanent symbol of the academy’s strong tradition of excellence. Plans are afoot for drama, music and business alumni to be celebrated in a similar fashion.
Pic: Dave Graham-Kevan Tewkesbury Academy Head of Physical Education on the left, Marc Richards (former TA student) on the right.
