Students in Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 at Tewkesbury Academy recently took part in the Bebras Challenge, an international competition designed to promote computational and logical thinking skills.
The challenge takes place annually and is undertaken by students in over 80 countries worldwide.
Academy leaders are proud to celebrate the achievements of Tewkesbury students, with many receiving Merit awards (top 50% at school) and Distinction awards (top 25% at school). In addition, awards for Best in Key Stage were presented in both Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5.
A particularly outstanding achievement was recorded by Matthew Dorehill, (pictured) who was awarded a Gold Award. This prestigious accolade is only given to students who place in the top 10% nationally, highlighting Matthew’s exceptional performance in the challenge.
Tom Lakin, Lead Teacher in Computing and IT, said: “We are incredibly proud of all our students who took part in the Bebras Challenge.
“The results reflect not only their hard work and determination, but also their ability to apply logical and computational thinking to complex problems. Achievements such as these demonstrate the strength of computing education at Tewkesbury Academy.”
Full List of Results
Key Stage 4 Awards
Matthew Tarff (Year 10) – Distinction
Harrison Jenkins-Sallis (Year 10) – Distinction
Alice Stanley (Year 10) – Merit
Theo Fletcher (Year 10) – Distinction
Jonathan Lobo (Year 10) – Distinction
Harry Ryland-Brookes (Year 10) – Merit
Emilia Davis (Year 11) – Distinction
Daniel Harding (Year 11) – Distinction
Amber Flatman (Year 11) – Merit
Luke Griffin (Year 11) – Distinction
George Jones (Year 11) – Distinction
Daniel Price (Year 11) – Merit
Best in Key Stage 4: Matthew Dorehill
Key Stage 5 Awards
Finlay Grubb (Year 12) – Distinction
Matthew Fowler (Year 12) – Distinction
Best in Key Stage 5: Freddie Boorman
Staff and students at Tewkesbury Academy enjoyed a heartwarming eastern European festive Christmas celebration in the school library.
The event brought together members of the school community as students from eastern Europe students shared their Christmas traditions and personal stories of how the festive season is celebrated across Europe.
The celebration highlighted the richness of different cultures and created a welcoming space for learning and connection.
Students sampled delicious Polish sweet biscuits, and Bella delighted everyone by baking a batch of beautiful homemade cookies to share.
Creative craft activities included making candy cane reindeer, origami Christmas cards and colourful paper chains, while traditional European festive music played throughout the event, adding to the joyful atmosphere.
The celebration reflected Tewkesbury Academy’s commitment to celebrating diversity and providing meaningful cultural experiences for students.
Louise Pinfield, Librarian at Tewkesbury Academy, said: “It was wonderful to see our students proudly sharing their traditions and stories.
“Events like these help us learn from one another, celebrate our diversity and create a real sense of community within the school.”
Tewkesbury Academy recently hosted a vibrant and engaging Science Fair, welcoming students, staff, local businesses, and a special guest — the Mayor of Tewkesbury Borough Council, Kashain Perviaz.
The Mayor spent the evening touring the wide range of student projects, speaking with students about their investigations, and taking part in the prize-giving ceremony. Students from Year 7 to Year 11 were involved, creating an inspiring atmosphere of scientific exploration and discovery.
The fair provided students with the opportunity to investigate questions they had always been curious about. Projects were inspired by everyday observations, scientific phenomena, and even the festive season. Across the fair, students demonstrated impressive creativity, curiosity, and strong scientific thinking.
Inclusivity was a key focus of the event. Support and dedicated workspace were provided in school to ensure all students were able to participate fully, regardless of individual circumstances. This approach helped create a fair that was accessible, welcoming, and truly representative of the whole school community.
The event was further enriched by the presence of local organisations, with businesses attending and hosting exhibition stands, including Safran and Tewkesbury Nature Reserve, giving students valuable insight into real-world applications of science.
The evening concluded with the exciting announcement of the prize winners:
1st place
Sofiia Storchova (Year 11)
Oliver Parker and Finn May (Year 7)
2nd place
Samuel Tarff, Theo Moran and Conall Atkinson (Year 7)
Alexa Olczak (Year 7)
3rd place
Arthur Riley-Johnson (Year 7)
Evelyn Wright (Year 9)
Zara Syeda, Teacher of Science at Tewkesbury Academy, said: “The Science Fair was a fantastic celebration of our students’ curiosity and hard work.
“It was wonderful to see such enthusiasm for science across all year groups, and we are incredibly proud of the creativity, teamwork, and resilience our students demonstrated throughout the process.”
Year 11 students from Tewkesbury Academy, accompanied by Mrs Felton and Mrs Patrick, visited Tewkesbury Day Centre for a truly festive occasion.
The students performed a selection of Christmas carols, keeping the audience entertained until the very last note.
Their beautiful singing created a warm and joyful atmosphere – some residents sat and listened, while many others happily joined in for a festive sing-along.
It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with the local community and celebrate the spirit of the season.
Tewkesbury Day Centre is one of a range of local services supporting adults in the community. The centre specialises in providing support for elderly people with dementia, mental health difficulties, and certain neurological conditions.
A spokesperson for Tewkesbury Academy said: “Our Year 11 students were honoured to share some Christmas joy with the residents.
“Opportunities like this help our young people understand the value of community, compassion, and connection, especially at this time of year.”
Staff and students at Tewkesbury Academy were delighted to welcome acclaimed poet Nafeesa Hamid for an engaging poetry-writing workshop as part of Young Poet Laureate Week, supported by the National Literacy Trust.
The workshop brought together Poetry by Heart year-group finalists from Years 7, 8 and 9, giving students the opportunity to explore language, creativity and performance.
Poetry by Heart is a free, national, non-competitive poetry-speaking programme for schools in England for ages 7–18, encouraging students to learn poems by heart and perform them aloud.
Throughout the session, students produced thoughtful and powerful pieces, embracing the challenge of discovering and refining their poetic voices. The event offered an enriching creative experience for all involved, leaving students inspired and more confident in their writing.
This workshop was organised and fully funded by the National Literacy Trust as part of Young Poet Laureate Week – a national initiative offering young people the chance to apply to become the Young Poet Laureate for their region.
John Licqurish, English Teacher at Tewkesbury Academy, said: “Having Nafeesa Hamid work with our students was an absolute privilege.
“Her expertise and warmth created an environment where students felt confident to take creative risks and express themselves in new ways.
“The quality of writing they produced was outstanding, and it was wonderful to see them so inspired by the power of poetry.”
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.
To read the full story on the Good News Post website click here.
Tewkesbury Academy’s Under-16 girls football team represented the school with pride, passion and determination in their latest competition.
Facing fierce opposition throughout the tournament, the team battled their way to the semi-finals, narrowly missing out on a place in the final after a tense penalty shootout.
They held the eventual winners to a draw during regular time, demonstrating that they had the quality and spirit to go all the way.
Coach Mr. Graham-Kevan praised the squad’s efforts, saying: “We’re incredibly proud of their achievement and the spirit they showed on the pitch.”
A huge well done to all involved.
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.”
