Latest news with #GrangeAcademy
BBC News
18-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Mental health day for Kempston Send pupils 'incredible'
Mental health workshops and activities for children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) have been "incredible", a head teacher said. BBC Three Counties Radio's Headfest event was held in Kempston, Bedfordshire, at the Rivertree Free School, which opened in February. Children got a chance to plant cress with Mr Bloom, from CBeebies, see animals at a mobile farm, make art, play sports and take part in musical movement sessions. Head teacher Clare Breare said the event had given her pupils many "rich experiences" they would not normally be able to access. Ms Breare said being able to host the event was "unthinkable" and her pupils had called it "party day" . "To have the names and the activities that have been offered- it's inexplicable," she added."Our children wouldn't necessarily go out on trips to see Mr Bloom and they wouldn't necessarily spend much time at the farm with their families, so to have it in a safe place, with safe adults, and know they're going to access something that's just incredible for their wellbeing, I cannot tell you how excited I am." Children from Grange Academy also took part. Lily played football and basketball and said the day had made her feel "happy". Cody, 11, said he liked visiting a new school and said it made him feel happy as he had made new friends. Samuel, 12, made some art and said it was "good to see the animals". Mr Bloom, from CBeebies, held a number of gardening workshops. He said gardening can help your mental healt,h and children tell him that it makes them feel calm, happy, positive, good and relaxed. "Nature is absolutely fantastic, we depend on it, and it gives us everything we need," he said. "It just makes us feel good, if we take care of nature, nature will take care of you." Catherine Assink, the chief executive and executive principal of Bedford Inclusive Learning and Training Trust, which runs the school, said the "ethos of mental health and wellbeing" was in everything it does. She said the day was amazing and added: "What an opportunity [we've had] to share with our local community our schools, and having other main stream schools coming in to share the day and to celebrate mental health and what we can do to belong as a community and to raise the profile of our Send pupils." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Daily Record
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
East Ayrshire pupils hit the high notes in Young Musician of the Year competition
Ten musicians battled for the top prize. East Ayrshire youngsters hit the high notes as 10 talented musicians battled it out for in the Music Service's East Ayrshire Young Musician of the Year competition. Held at Grange Academy in Kilmarnock, the competition was adjudicated by Laura MacMillan, Principal Teacher of Music at Belmont Academy, and Graeme Barclay, owner and founder of Beat Buddies Music. Competing in the final were – Gregor from Stewarton Academy (marimba), Max from Loudoun Academy (saxophone), Matthew from Kilmarnock Academy (piano), Eilidh from Grange Academy (voice), Jai from The Robert Burns Academy (bagpipes), Ben from Loudoun Academy (guitar), Mariella from Kilmarnock Academy (voice), Lily from Stewarton Academy (clarinet), Ethan from Grange Academy (piano) and Sophie from Doon Academy (cornet). And it was Gregor from Stewarton Academy who won the competition playing a beautiful piece called Ney Rosauro's Marimba Concerto. Sophie from Doon Academy and Ethan from Grange Academy were runners-up. Gregor will now also be representing East Ayrshire at the Scottish Young Musician national final at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland next month. Provost Claire Leitch attended the competition with Councillor Elaine Cowan, and was on hand to present the winners with their awards. She said: 'What an honour to attend the East Ayrshire Young Musician of the Year competition, to hear the incredible talent of our young people and congratulate our winner – Gregor and runners-up - Sophie and Ethan. 'Heartfelt thanks go to the judges Laura MacMillan and Graeme Barclay, they really did have a tough job; the standard of performance was exceptional. 'For musicians, there is nothing like performing to a live audience so thanks go to the Music Service, led by Dr Julie Carrie, for giving our young people this wonderful opportunity.'
