Life-saving allergy pens will now be stored in all state-funded schools, helping ensure schools are better prepared to respond to serious allergic reactions.
Under the new requirements, schools will also need to have a whole-school allergy policy, provide allergy awareness and emergency response training to all staff, and ensure that individual healthcare plans are in place for pupils with known allergies.
The measures are designed to strengthen allergy safety across schools and ensure staff are equipped to respond quickly in an emergency.
BBC Points West visited John Cabot Academy to find out how the changes will work in practice. Head of School Gemma Read spoke about the importance of ensuring staff are prepared and that appropriate measures are in place to protect pupils with allergies.
Please note this is an edited version of a bigger piece broadcast by BBC Points West.
For Year 11 students at John Cabot Academy, the moment they’ve been waiting for — GCSE results day. After months of revision, exams and plenty of anticipation, students have been arriving at the academy to collect their results and find out how they’ve done.
BBC Points West went along to meet the students, hear about their experiences and find out what the results mean for their next steps.
John Cabot Academy is proud to celebrate the achievements of its Year 11 students as they receive their GCSE and vocational qualification results this summer.
In a year that has presented challenges for many young people nationally, students at John Cabot Academy have demonstrated determination, resilience and commitment throughout their studies.
These results reflect the hard work of students, the dedication of staff and the ongoing support provided by families throughout the students’ secondary education.
Alongside their academic achievements, students have made significant contributions to academy life through leadership opportunities, enrichment activities, sport, the arts and service to the wider community.
Gemma Read, Head of School, said: “Today is about recognising and celebrating the achievements of every student. We are immensely proud of the resilience, character and determination shown by this year group throughout their time at John Cabot Academy.
“Our vision is to empower young people to fulfil their potential and make a positive difference in the world. While qualifications open doors to future opportunities, we are equally proud of the confidence, compassion and ambition our students have developed during their journey with us.
“I would like to thank our dedicated staff, whose commitment to supporting and challenging students makes such a difference, and our parents and carers for the partnership they have shown over the past five years. We look forward to seeing our students take their next steps into sixth form, college, apprenticeships and employment, and we wish them every success for the future.”
Everyone at John Cabot Academy congratulates students on their achievements and looks forward to following their future successes.
Teenagers have said they fear becoming disconnected from their friends and are “unsure what they’ll do with their time” when the social media ban comes into force.
Pupils from John Cabot Academy in Kingswood, Bristol, said that the ban will change the way they interact with their friends online.
To read the full online article please click here.
John Cabot students and staff have had an electrifying time presenting five performances of the all-time favourite musical, Grease.
This is how the Kingswood Voice reported it.
The UK government has confirmed plans to introduce legislation that would ban the use of smartphones in schools across England, marking a significant move to improve student wellbeing and enhance classroom focus.
The proposed measures are designed to address growing concerns around the impact of smartphone use on young people, including increased distraction during lessons, exposure to harmful online content, and the effects of excessive screen time on mental health and academic performance.
Under the new legislation, schools would be required to implement strict policies limiting or prohibiting student access to smartphones during the school day.
Greatest Hits Radio spoke to the Principal of John Cabot Academy Kate Willis to find out more.
John Cabot students and staff have had an electrifying time presenting five performances of the all-time favourite musical, Grease.
With infectious 1950s style dance numbers, iconic songs, and strong, charismatic leads for Danny, Sandy, the Pink Ladies and T Birds characters, Grease certainly is the word!
Teenagers Danny Zuko (T Bird) and Sandy Dumbrowski fall in love over the summer, only to realise that they attend the same high school.
While navigating school and romance, they struggle to reconcile their different personas – the T Birds and Pink Ladies – before ultimately coming together at the end of the production in the recognisable song ‘We Go Together’.
Sandy performed by Asha Kaur and Matilda Moore (Year 10) and Danny performed by George Ryan (Year 10), have been brought to life with energy and enthusiasm.
The production featured a cast and crew of over 70 students spanning Years 7 to 11, and was performed over three nights to packed houses, with two additional matinee performances to pupils from local primaries including Two Mile Hill Primary, The Park Primary and Air Balloon Primary School.
The music to this fabulous musical extravaganza was played by an exceptional five-piece live band featuring students from Years 9-11.
Charlotte Grierson, Curriculum Leader for Performing Arts, said: “We began auditions for the production in September and were overwhelmed by the number of students who wished to showcase their talent, making casting the show quite challenging!
“It has been fabulous to watch the well-known script and storyline come to life over the last few months with costume and staging. Having the privilege of a live band and slick backstage and technical team of students, really makes the show a fantastic team effort all round.
“I truly hope that this is an experience the students will not forget.”
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson Secretary is celebrating exceptional outcomes achieved by John Cabot Academy for its disadvantaged pupils at the end of the 2024/25 academic year, placing the school among the very best performing nationally.
Via an email, the minister noted the significant achievement which reflects the dedication and expertise of staff, alongside the ambition and hard work of pupils.
She said John Cabot had demonstrated what can be achieved when high expectations are matched with commitment and care, ensuring that every child is given the best possible opportunity to succeed.
The school’s success also highlights the role strong schools can play in supporting improvement across the wider education system.
John Cabot Academy is encouraged to continue sharing its experience and best practice, acting as a system leader by championing collaboration, supporting networks, and helping to raise standards across the sector.
Kate Willis, Principal at John Cabot Academy, said: “I am incredibly proud of our pupils and staff for what they have achieved this year. These outcomes reflect our shared belief that disadvantage should never be a barrier to success.
“Our team works tirelessly to ensure every student feels supported, challenged, and inspired, and it is wonderful to see that commitment reflected in such strong results.
“We are keen to continue learning from others and to share what has worked well for us, so that together we can make an even greater difference for young people across the system.”
Year 10 and 11 music students from John Cabot Academy enjoyed an unforgettable evening of exquisite live music at the Bristol Beacon.
Twenty students, accompanied by two members of staff, had the privilege of watching the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra perform a captivating and varied programme. The concert opened with Sibelius’ ever popular and majestic Karelia Suite, setting an atmospheric tone for the evening.
This was followed by a selection of Sibelius’ songs one of classical music’s best-kept secrets performed with passion and Nordic intensity. Students were quick to recognise that the pieces were sung in Swedish, delivered by world-renowned soprano Helena Juntunen, whose expressive performance left a lasting impression.
After the interval, the orchestra presented Shostakovich’s final symphony, a work from the period of his darkest music and often regarded as one of the most profound and insightful post-war symphonies. The students were absorbed by the emotional depth and historical significance of the piece.
Reflecting on the experience, the group agreed it was a brilliant evening, and staff have already begun exploring the Bristol Beacon’s programme for their next concert trip.
Charlotte Grierson, Central Team Leader of Performing Arts, said: “It was inspiring to watch our students engage so deeply with a world-class live performance.
“Experiences like this broaden their musical understanding and ignite their passion for the subject.
“We can’t wait to bring them back for another exceptional concert.”
This summer, tens of thousands of GCSE students received their results in a brand-new way, directly through an app on their phones.
The government trialled the Education Record app with 95,000 students across Manchester and the West Midlands, ahead of plans for a national rollout. The app is designed to make exam results and educational records more accessible, secure, and convenient for young people.
As part of the pilot, ITV News West Country visited John Cabot Academy to hear first-hand from students about their opinions and views on the new digital platform.
