Achievements & Awards
DISABILITY CONFIDENT EMPLOYER
June 2023
Ravenswood School has successfully met the requirements to become a Disability Confident Employer.
SHAKESPEARE SCHOOLS FESTIVAL; RAVENSWOOD PERFORMANCE AT THE TOBACCO FACTORY
January 2023
Our Drama Options group took part in the Shakespeare Schools Festival on Wednesday night (25th Jan) at the Tobacco Factory. They performed a brilliant, comedy version of Romeo and Juliet alongside performances from Red Maids High School and St Laurence School.
They started their day with some rehearsals in school, then went for their dress rehearsal and workshop alongside St Laurence School. After this they had a quick bite to eat in a local restaurant before returning for their warm up with the two other casts and then got ready for their final performance.
The students were fantastic actors who all put their heart and soul into their performance. Every single person had worked so hard to rehearse so they were able to put on a great show for the audience.
A huge thank you to Rhiannon for directing the show and all of the staff who were able to make this experience happen for the students.
They received some fab feedback too …
Dear Mr Senior,
I wanted to email you this morning to congratulate your students and their staff for their performance of Romeo and Juliet at the Shakespeare Schools Festival yesterday evening.
I was at the performance as a member of staff from one of the other schools who were performing and also as a parent. I was so impressed by the commitment of your students to each other as well as to the performance - which was so clever in the way it had been put together and hugely enjoyable to watch. It was clear to see the rewards that the students gained from performing so well and the pride that their teachers had in them - I hope that they felt this from the reaction of the audience.
I know that an enormous amount of work and effort will have gone into putting the performance together and as member of the audience, I just wanted to say thank you.
With kind regards,
Senior Deputy Head, Red Maids School
Hi Katie,
We just wanted to say a massive thank you to you and the team for last night. It was such a joy to see Indi and all the students from Ravenswood taking part and enjoying themselves. They really did themselves and the school proud.
We are very grateful for all the opportunities and experiences Indi has at Ravenswood.
Best wishes and thanks again,
Ravenswood Pupil’s Parent
ARTS AWARD DELIVERED TO POST 16 STUDENTS
September 2022
Miss Lynn, in the Creative Arts Department is now delivering the Arts Award to Post 16, which will give each child a recognised qualification in the Arts. There is a range of awards on offer: Discover, Explore, Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each child has a portfolio of evidenced based work, from drama, dance and art activities, researching artists of choice, researching an Arts Organisation, as well as reflecting on their own learning week by week. The arts qualifications build skills in the way of creativity and communication, along with problem-solving, reflective-thinking and confidence (all of which support the end of Key Stage goals). This award will be rolled out to other key stages from September 2023.
SCHOOL GAMES PLATINUM AWARD
July 2022
We are delighted to announce that Ravenswood School has now achieved the Platinum School Games Mark for the second year running.
The School Games Mark is a Government led award scheme launched in 2012, facilitated by the Youth Sport Trust to reward schools for their commitment to the development of competition across their school and into the community, and we are delighted to have been recognised for our success.
The Government target is that all pupils are doing at least 60 minutes of exercise a day. This can be across the school day, through extra-curricular clubs and at home during the weekends and holidays. The Ravenswood long-term development plan for this been supported and driven by the Headteacher, school Governors and senior teachers, alongside the PE department. The areas that have been developed and maintained and which have been recognised in achieving this award are as follows: School Improvement Plan, The PE Curriculum, Funding, Community Links, New Go Karts, New Interactive Sensory Room, New Sensory Playground, Fitness area for all on the field, School Council, After school clubs, Lunchtime clubs, Care plans/ therapies, Wake and shake, Daily mile, Community coaches, Virtual activities/ competitions, Links with family, Festivals and events, All Moves Bristol Bears, Outdoor residential - Kilve Court, Outdoor Education, Leadership skills, Duke of Edinburgh, New AQA Awards in using community facilities, Intra activity, School Games day, School trips and our School Games Organiser (SGO).
FOOD DEVELOPMENT PROJECT WITH BRISTOL WORKS
June 2022
Some of our year 10 students have been working on a food development project in collaboration with Bristol 'WORKS'. WORKS is an organisation that's part of the Bristol Learning City Partnership and it's building a unique collaboration between employers, learning providers, and local communities to develop a skilled local workforce. Students designed logos, prepared cookies and toured a professional food production facility at the Food Works South West premises.
A full report on the project can be seen on the Bristol WORKS website here:
Three steps to success with The Food Works South West! — Bristol WORKS
SHAKESPEARE SCHOOLS FESTIVAL
March 2022
The Shakespeare Schools Festival went ahead on Wednesday 2nd March. It was a great success and a really lovely evening. The pupils involved did Ravenswood proud and really enjoyed having the chance to perform.
SCHOOL GAMES PLATINUM AWARD
July 2021
In a first for Ravenswood we are delighted to announce that we have achieved the Platinum School Games Mark for the 2021/22 academic year.
The School Games Mark is a Government led award scheme launched in 2012, facilitated by the Youth Sport Trust to reward schools for their commitment to the development of competition across their school and into the community, and we are delighted to have been recognised for our success.
RAVENSWOOD FILM ABOUT TRUSTED RELATIONSHIPS
March 2021
Pine class made this short film with Crimestoppers about trusted relationships and what to do if you see something happen which isn't right.
DUKE OF EDINBURGH
July 2019
This year even more students were up for the Silver Challenge. The group chose to work on their swimming skills for their Physical. They worked hard to build on their previous experience and get closer to their individual goals which included Orienteering as their skill; learning how to map-read and use a compass to get from one place to another and either sports leadership or recycling for their Service.
A huge congratulations to Esther who despite hating walking completed her Bronze awards. Also a huge well done to our biggest Silver group yet- Aleks, Sophie, Lita, Brooke, Liana and Dylan. We even celebrated a special 18th Birthday on cake so enjoyed a good ‘Happy Birthday’ sing song around the camp fire.
SCHOOL GAMES GOLD AWARD
July 2019
We are delighted to announce that Ravenswood School has again achieved the School Games GOLD LEVEL Mark Award, this time for the 2018/19 academic year.
The School Games Mark is a Government led award scheme launched in 2012, facilitated by the Youth Sport Trust to reward schools for their commitment to the development of competition across their school and into the community, and we are delighted to have been recognised for our success.
Our sporting achievements this year included:
• 6 Intra activity events.
• Sports leadership with POST 16 linking with local primary schools
• Inter events across the authority: including Sailing, Cross Country, Orienteering, multi sports festivals, skate board ramp.
• Links with local schools for sport.
• A number of sports coaches coming into school.
We are extremely proud of our pupils for their dedication to all aspects of school sport.
As part of our application, we were asked to fulfil criteria in the areas of participation, competition, workforce and clubs, and we are pleased that the hard work of everyone at our school has been rewarded this year. We especially thank Jane Hawkes for all her hard work in helping us achieve the award.
DUKE OF EDINBURGH
July 2018
Six of our students chose to do the Duke of Edinburgh Award this year. Over the year they took part in a range of activities for their Skills- cooking, Physical- golf and Volunteering. They then took part in the much awaited expedition part of the award where they had to complete an expedition involving lots of map-reading, camp-fires and camping out.
Huge congratulations to Abby, Charlotte and Aleks who achieved their Bronze award, and Ellie, Jaden and Jamie who achieved their Silver award. The silver group even learnt how to create their own fire with a flint! Despite some blistered, sore feet they all returned safely for a well deserved restful weekend.
A FIRST FOR RAVENSWOOD: DUKE OF EDINBURGH BRONZE AND SILVER AWARDS!
July 2017
Huge congratulations to Dan and Louis for completing their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. This was the first time that we have run the Silver Award at Ravenswood and we are so proud of our four, exceptional young people, Morgan, Becky, Sophia and Michael, who have completed it. The pupils have shown determination, commitment, leadership and teamwork throughout the course. A huge well done to everyone involved.
SCHOOL GAMES GOLD AWARD
July 2017
Congratulations to everyone at Ravenswood School for once again achieving the School Games Mark GOLD award. This is the 3rd year we have achieved this prestigious award. We are extremely proud of our young people for entering competitions, showing healthy lifestyles and acting as Sports Leaders. Special thanks to Jane Hawkes for supporting us all to achieve GOLD.
SHAKESPEARE SCHOOLS FESTIVAL
November 2016
Post 16 actors from Ravenswood School wowed the audience with their fantastic performance of Julius Caesar at the Tobacco Factory in Bristol. Their production was part of the Shakespeare Schools Festival and was full of music and colour. The students worked incredibly hard in order to remember their cues and lines. They listened well, worked as a team and supported one another throughout the rehearsals.
Staff, parents and carers are incredibly proud of our young people who all took part and overcame any nerves they had. It was an evening we’ll remember for a long time!
In response to the performance we had these lovely messages: 
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As a parent of a child at Bristol Grammar School, I was at the performance at the Tobacco Factory last night.
I just wanted to congratulate your actors on an amazing performance, I think you all did the play justice and the confidence that came through was inspirational.
Well done and thank you to all involved.
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I just wanted to send a message to say how much I enjoyed the performance of Julius Caesar last night, as did my children and fellow staff. I am sorry I didn't get chance to say in person! I hope you and your students enjoyed the evening, there were so many brilliant characters and the cast worked together so well. We were also in awe of your staff. We were thrilled that we had the opportunity to see the performance on the night.
With best wishes,
Jennie-Lee Plaisted
Year 4 Form Tutor
Bristol Grammar School
SCHOOL GAMES AWARD
July 2016
We are delighted to announce that Ravenswood has achieved the School Games Gold Award for a second year running! The School Games is a celebration of competitive sport that involves all our young people - years 3 to 13. Find out more about School Games awards.
DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD
May 2016
Mrs Clark and Miss Barnes had the pleasure of representing Ravenswood at the Duke of Edinburgh Diamond Jubilee at Buckingham Palace. There were celebrities supporting the event as well as the Duke of Edinburgh himself in attendance. Of course, the real stars were our pupils who put in all the hard work learning how to cook outdoors, putting up tents, learning to read maps, walking the trails and sleeping in a tent overnight!
The photo shows Philippa Clark with BBC presenter and Strictly Come Dancing contestant Naga Munchetty.
SHAKESPEARE SCHOOLS FESTIVAL
November 2015
Ravenswood School pupils performed at the Tobacco Factory in the Shakespeare Schools Festival. Their production of Romeo and Juliet attracted some wonderfull feedback from the festival's Venue Director, Moira Hunt:
"Congratulations to the cast and crew of Ravenswood School on their wonderful production of Romeo and Juliet at the Tobacco Factory. This was an accomplished and original production, a few key elements which really stood out:
The narrators introduced the characters one by one at the beginning of the piece. Each performer stepped forward and struck a strong physical pose which represented their character - such a lovely idea and a great aid for the audience!
The cast did a great job of portraying the high emotional stakes for these characters - you really tugged at our heartstrings. The moment when the nurse discovered that Juliet was dead was particularly powerful. Her heartfelt reaction emanated such sorrow.
The production made great use of the ensemble. The swordfight at the beginning of the play was particularly strong, drawing us into this world of violence and rivalry.
The production completely embraced the tragedy of the story. The end, when the audience were confronted with the image of Romeo and Juliet lying dead centre stage, was a truly heart-rending. This production was colourful, emotional and beautifully sorrowful. A huge congratulations to all the cast and crew who made it happen. I hope to see Ravenswood School in the Festival again next year."
Shakespeare Schools Festival is the UK's largest youth drama festival, and it works with over 1,000 schools and 150 professional theatres. They provide "all the tools, support and guidance necessary to enable schools to take students aged 8-18 on a wonderful journey by performing their own Shakespeare productions in front of a paying audience."
SCHOOL GAMES AWARD
July 2015
We are delighted to announce that Ravenswood has achieved the School Games Gold Award.
SCHOOL GAMES AWARD
July 2014
We are delighted to announce that Ravenswood has achieved the School Games Silver Award.
RAVENSWOOD TRIUMPHS AT THE NOSCARS
September 2013
Ravenswood took the NOSCARS awards ceremony (North Somerset Oscars) by storm, winning both 1st and 2nd place in the Special Schools category.
The gala evening was held on the Grand Pier at Weston-super-Mare and awards were presented to young animators from schools across North Somerset who had created films for this year's competition. Ravenswood pupils were all dressed-up for the ocassion and represented the school extremely well.
SCHOOL GAMES AWARD
July 2013
Through the work of Jane Hawkes, SSCO, we are proud to have achieved the School Games Bronze Award for PE and Sports. Next we aim to achieve the Silver Award!
RAVENSWOOD ANIMATION SHORTLISTED FOR AUTISM COMPETITION
July 2013
Yellow Class and Green Class created an animated film together called ‘Animals’ and entered it into the Create! Art for Autism 2013 competition, the national competition to celebrate the creativity of young people with an Autism Spectrum Condition.
EARTH CLASS ENTERS NORTH SOMERSET STEM CAST SCIENCE COMPETITION
March 2013
The North Somerset STEM Cast Science competition involves children, young people, teachers, parents, science communicators and science/engineering/technology professionals all making short films about practical science.
The Earth Class film was recently shown at the STEM Cast awards ceremony in the Curzon Cinema in Clevedon.
E-SAFETY MARK
January 2013
Ravenswood was recently presented with the e-Safety mark in recognition of the high standards of our e-safety provision. The Assessors spent the morning interviewing school staff, parents, governors and students and reviewing evidence that the school had produced. They were pleased to find that the school provides a high level of protection for their pupils and staff.
Ravenswood joins only three other schools in North Somerset to hold the award. To apply for the 360 degree safe e-Safety Mark schools have to reach a series of benchmark levels when they complete the 360 Degrees Safe online self-review. During the assessment visit the school had to demonstrate that it does not only focus on the individual aspects of e-safety such as technological solutions, but also integrates e-safety into school policy and the curriculum.
Ron Richards, Lead Assessor for the 360 Degrees Safe E-Safety Mark congratulated the school on its success and commented that the school had put a lot of thought and effort into improving the online safety of the staff and young people, by addressing these important safeguarding issues.
Ravenswood welcomes enquiries from any school considering how to improve its e-safety and would be happy to discuss how it has met the standards required for e-Safety Mark accreditation.
HEALTHY SCHOOLS PLUS
2012
We were pleased to be awarded 'Healthy Schools Plus' in 2012.
Healthy Schools Plus aims to:
• bring about healthier behaviours among children and young people
• address key health issues such as obesity and poor mental health
• contribute towards reducing health inequalities
INVESTORS IN FAMILIES
July 2011
Ravenswood was proud to receive the ‘Investors in Families' award in recognition of the work we do with our families. It is a national award that celebrates with parents how much ‘impact’ we are making on children’s learning by working together in partnership.
In order to achieve the award Ravenswood we had to demonstrate that we:
• value and support the role that families play in the life of the child
• support families in developing their children's achievement and self-esteem
• help families participate in raising their children's achievement and self-esteem
•To promote social inclusion and a sense of well-being through positive participation in family life