Celebrating 40 years of teaching excellence
Monkton Wood Academy is proud to announce that Sian Bowen, a dedicated and long-serving teacher, has been awarded an Honorary Degree in Education by Kingston University in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the education of young people over the past 40 years.
Having earned her BMus degree at Cardiff University, Sian went on to study for her Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at Kingston Upon Thames (now Kingston University) from 1984 to 1985.
In September 1985, Sian joined Heathfield Community School, which later became Monkton Wood Academy, and has since devoted her entire teaching career to inspiring generations of students at the same school.
The prestigious award was presented to Sian at a ceremony at Kingston University, celebrating her lifelong commitment to education and her profound impact on students, colleagues, and the wider school community.
Sian said: “It’s been an absolute privilege to spend my career teaching and learning alongside so many wonderful young people.
“To receive this honour from Kingston University, where my own journey as a teacher began, feels incredibly special.
“I’ve always believed that education has the power to change lives, and I’m proud to have played even a small part in that over the past 40 years.”
Monkton Wood Year 8 and Year 9 students had a wonderful time exploring the beautiful region of Cantabria in northern Spain.
The visit provided a fabulous opportunity for our students to practise their Spanish, bring their classroom learning to life, and immerse themselves in the culture, history, and everyday life of Spain.
Among the many highlights of the trip was a visit to Los Picos de Europa, a stunning mountain range stretching for around 20 km and forming part of the Cantabrian Mountains in northern Spain.
Students also enjoyed a day at Cabárceno Nature Wildlife Park, a unique zoo and nature reserve located in Penagos, just 17 kilometres south of Santander, where they had the chance to see animals from around the world in a semi-natural environment.
Head of Languages, Donna Lees, said: “This trip was an incredible experience for our students.
“It gave them the chance to see Spanish language and culture in action, far beyond the classroom.
“Their enthusiasm, curiosity, and willingness to engage with everything from local traditions to everyday conversations made us very proud.”
More than 50 students at Monkton Wood Academy have successfully completed their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
These outstanding young people demonstrated exceptional commitment, resilience, and teamwork throughout their DofE journey, taking part in a range of activities, from adventurous expeditions to volunteering projects and skill-building challenges.
Rebecca Purnell, Associate Assistant Principal, said: “This celebrations evening was a fantastic way to recognise your achievements and present your well-deserved certificates.
“We’re excited to see where you decide to take it next — whether that’s completing the Silver Award, becoming a young leader, or representing Monkton Wood Academy at the next Ten Tors.”
Monkton Wood Academy extends heartfelt congratulations to all 51 students on this remarkable accomplishment. Their determination and spirit truly embody the values of the academy and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
Preston Chorley, a Year 7 student at Monkton Wood Academy, has claimed victory at the Weston Beach Race 2025.
The event featured around 60 boys and girls from his age group, all competing on 65cc bikes.
To read the story on the Bristol Parent website click here.
To read the story on the Good News Post website click here.
Preston Chorley, a Year 7 student at Monkton Wood Academy, has claimed victory at the Weston Beach Race 2025.
The event featured around 60 boys and girls from his age group, all competing on 65cc bikes. In a fiercely competitive race, Preston led for most of the event and ultimately crossed the finish line with an impressive lead of over a minute.
Preston has been riding since the age of five and trains 3–4 times a week, typically on Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
He is preparing for his next race, the final round of the MXGB Youth British Championship at Culham Moto Parc in Oxford, scheduled for 11–12 October 2025.
This will be his last race on a 65cc bike before moving up to the 85cc class in 2026.
Racing nationwide most weekends from February/March through October, Preston also trains during the winter at Taunton Rugby Club, focusing on strength training with injury-prevention exercises in the gym and swimming once a week.
Preston said: “I’m extremely happy to have won, it’s a tough race but I’m already looking forward to the 85 Race next year.”
A spokesperson for Monkton Wood Academy added: “Preston’s determination and talent are truly inspiring.
“His success at the Weston Beach Race is a fantastic achievement, and we’re thrilled to celebrate his hard work and dedication.”
Year 11 students from Monkton Wood Academy performed at the Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre during the venue’s annual open day celebrations, where four school bands impressed audiences with their talent and energy.
To read the full story on the Somerset Gazette website please click here.
Year 11 musicians from Monkton Wood Academy took to the stage at the brilliant local venue, the Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre, as part of its annual open day celebrations.
Four bands from Monkton Wood were invited to perform at the event, impressing audiences with their talent, energy, and musicianship. Many members of the public praised the students for their professionalism and passion for music.
The Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre open day was a bumper-packed celebration of the arts, offering free shows, taster classes, children’s activities, and live music throughout the day.
Visitors also enjoyed refreshments from the community coffee shop and had the opportunity to meet the cast of this year’s pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk.
Alex Slade, Teacher of Music at Monkton Wood Academy said: “I am incredibly proud of our Year 11 musicians.
“Performing at such a vibrant community event gave them the chance to showcase their hard work and creativity to a wider audience.
“Opportunities like this not only celebrate their musical achievements but also inspire them to keep developing their skills and confidence as young artists.”
Students at Monkton Wood Academy had plenty to celebrate on GCSE results day today, with some notable successes resulting from the ‘perseverance and character’ students demonstrated in their studies.
Monkton Wood Principal Hannah Jones said: “Every student has their own story behind their results today, and we are proud of each and every one of them.
“These results reflect not just academic achievement, but the growth, perseverance, and character our students have shown throughout their five years with us.
“We also want to thank our teachers for their tireless commitment and our parents for their continued support.”
Some individual success stories:
Molly Price achieved 8 x grade 9 and 2x grade 8.
Kian Hoyle achieved 7 x grade 9, 1 x grade 8 and 1 x grade 7.
George, who was supported in the Cedar Centre autism resource base, got grade 8 in maths and science, and 7s in geography and history
the Bristol Metropolitan Academy students were among nearly 2,000 young people across the Cabot Learning Federation (CLF) who received their results today – with many celebrating outstanding results and getting set for the next stage of their education.
CLF Deputy CEO Sally Apps said: “As a trust we would like to extend our congratulations to the 1,994 students who are receiving their GCSE and equivalent qualifications today.
“These are the result of considerable effort, diligence and determination and the results celebrated today are opening the door to a range of excellent onward destinations for our young people who have studied at our mainstream and specialist schools.
“It is with considerable gratitude to our staff and parents that we celebrate, knowing that these outcomes are achieved as a result of a considerable team effort.
“It is particularly pleasing to see that this year, more young people who have experienced challenge and disadvantage during their school career are collecting strong results.
“We are proud of them and delighted for them, and wish all CLF Year 11 students – now part of our valued alumni and in many cases continuing their onward study with us – a happy and successful educational career.”
Monkton Wood student Elouise Carter, in Year 7, has become the first recipient of the ASPIRE Badge – an achievement that recognises outstanding commitment to learning beyond the classroom.
Elouise has successfully completed five challenges outside of the curriculum, all verified by the Heads of Department, earning her the ‘Seed’ badge. This accomplishment reflects her dedication, hard work, and passion for learning.
The ASPIRE program encourages students to broaden their horizons through subject-based challenges designed to promote creativity, resilience, and curiosity.
Students can find the list of challenges on Class Charts and should submit completed tasks to their tutors.
Elouise’s completed challenges included:
Food: Made and decorated a birthday cake
Modern foreign languages: Maintained a 30-day Duolingo streak and shared proof with her teacher
PE: Wrote a sports autobiography and a report on a lesson she had taught
Maths: Completed the Nerdle game and provided a screenshot as evidence
Science: Read a scientific journal and wrote a summary report highlighting key points
A spokesperson for Monkton Wood Academy said: “We are thrilled to celebrate Elouise as our first ASPIRE badge winner.
“Her enthusiasm for learning and commitment to personal growth set a fantastic example for her peers.
“We look forward to seeing many more students take on the ASPIRE challenges and develop a love for learning beyond the classroom.”
Students in Years 7, 8, and 9 at Monkton Wood Academy have taken part in a series of exciting after-school Design & Technology Club workshops, where they explored the art of creating Batik botanical cushions.
Batik botanical cushions are decorative pieces featuring designs inspired by the traditional Indonesian textile art of batik, which uses a wax-resist dyeing technique to produce intricate patterns, often with floral and plant-based motifs.
During the workshops, students learnt how to draw and apply the wax-resist technique, hand-painted their unique designs, and then developed their textile skills further by using sewing machines to attach a bobble trim and assemble their work into a stunning finished cushion.
Alice Ritchie, Design & Technology Teacher, said: “I am so impressed with the creativity and effort the students have shown.
“They embraced every step of the process, from design to construction, and the final cushions look absolutely fabulous.
“Well done to everyone who took part!”
