The SKY Academy has been proudly celebrating Black History Month under the inspiring theme of ‘Standing firm in power and pride.’

Throughout the month, students across the school have come together to mark this important event by signing a collective pledge to stand united against racism and discrimination in all its forms.

In the Upper School, students have been learning about the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King and, inspired by his message, have written and performed their own ‘I Have a Dream’ speeches.

As part of our ‘Drop Everything and Read’ initiative, students have also been reading “Boys Don’t Cry” by Malorie Blackman, a powerful novel following the Bridgeman family as their lives are transformed by the arrival of an unexpected baby.

In addition, students have been collaborating creatively to produce a collective piece of artwork that reflects the themes of unity, strength, and equality explored throughout the month.

Charlie Ennals, Careers and Personal Development Lead, said: “Black History Month is a vital opportunity for our students to learn, reflect, and celebrate the incredible contributions of Black individuals throughout history.

“Our theme this year, ‘Standing firm in power and pride’ encourages every student to embrace their identity, challenge injustice, and take pride in the diversity that strengthens our school community.”

Sky Celebrates World Mental Health Day

On Friday 10th October, World Mental Health Day, staff and students came together, wearing yellow, to raise funds in support for YoungMinds charity, showing children and young people they’re not alone with their mental health.

Students took part in a range of activities. Our Year 11s baked a range of cakes, which other students thoroughly enjoyed – spending £30 worth of points!! The boys from The Base appreciated the benefits of being outside by soaking up nature within our local hills, and lower school students celebrated by recognising all the amazing qualities they possess, taste-testing an array of yellow foods, and having a good, old boogie!

The boys at Sky Academy have done well in their exams this year and have exceeded last year’s outcomes in terms of the number of qualifications achieved by each student.

Almost all of the Year 11 cohort have secured a place in further education or an equivalent pathway appropriate to needs.

Children have received GCSEs in English, maths, art, Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award, food technology as well as PE.

Some 69% achieved a qualification in both English and maths, with 85% earning a qualification in maths and 92% achieving a qualification in English.

Sky Academy Principal Gaby Long Principal: “It has been great welcoming several of our students and parents in today to receive their results, to celebrate their personal successes and the progress that they have made throughout their time at Sky.

“I am delighted that so many of our 11 cohort have secured a post-16 destination. I’m also pleased with the academic outcomes and the number of children who have achieved so many qualifications and have the currency they need to take the next steps towards adulthood, employment and independence.

“Our team are all extremely proud of every single one of our young people who are brilliant ambassadors for our school and community.”

The Sky 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.”

The Sky Academy gave its Year 11 students a send-off to remember with two action-packed days of celebration, laughter, and heartfelt goodbyes. As the academic chapter closed, the school community came together to honour the students’ journey in true Sky Academy style.

The festivities kicked off with a vibrant barbecue, where the aroma of grilled favourites filled the air and students mingled with staff in a relaxed, joyful atmosphere.

The field was transformed into a playground of inflatable fun, featuring crowd-pleasers like the ‘Last Man Standing’ challenge and a surfing simulator that had everyone cheering.

One of the most talked-about highlights was the hilarious ‘Soak the SLT’ game, where students gleefully tossed bean bags to trigger buckets of water over brave senior leaders. It was a splash hit – literally!

The celebrations culminated in a heartfelt assembly, where staff delivered moving speeches filled with pride, memories, and well-wishes.

Emotions ran high as the entire school lined up to form a tunnel of applause, cheering the Year 11s on their final walk through the academy.

Adding a touch of flair and fun, one student made their entrance dressed as a dinosaur, while others left in style – one in a sleek Lamborghini and another in a beautifully restored classic car, turning heads and raising smiles.

Becky Lambert Vice Principal said: “The Sky Academy’s Year 11 leavers’ celebration was more than just a farewell – it was a joyful tribute to resilience, friendship, and the bright futures ahead.”

A Somerset MP has praised The Sky Academy’s provision for students with social, emotional, and mental health needs.

Gideon Amos, the Liberal Democrat MP for Taunton and Wellington, visited the school to see the work being done to help students with special educational needs.

To read the full story on the Somerset Gazette website please click here.

Taunton’s MP, Gideon Amos, has praised the provision at The Sky Academy after visiting the educational facility in Priorswood.

Part of the Cabot Learning Federation, The Sky Academy is a specialist provision dedicated to supporting young people with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs and speech, language and communication needs (SLCN).

It is committed to helping each learner to overcome personal and academic barriers — whether in the classroom or through a range of enriching experiences.

Mr Amos visited the Year 11 Art Exhibition and also heard younger students read poems they had written.

He said afterwards: “So many young students at The Sky Academy have made such excellent progress despite often very difficult circumstances.

“They had produced some great work, and it was really good to hear about the next stages of training and college they are moving on to after such a lot of GCSE success.

“Special educational need deserves more attention and funding so that more children who need it can get the kind of support that staff at Sky work hard to provide every day”

Gaby Long, Principal of The Sky Academy, said: “I couldn’t be prouder of our Year 11 GCSE Art learners.

“The exhibition is a powerful reflection of their growth—not just academically and creatively, but socially and emotionally as well.

“It’s a celebration of their resilience, imagination, and the belief that they can achieve great things.”

Alfie Odam, who of the Year 11 students exhibiting his work, said: “The art was fun to attend to and do.

“All the staff have been very supportive to me throughout my journey at The Sky Academy.”

His proud mum, Diane, added: “The Art Exhibition was outstanding and the artwork from all the students was amazing. They should be very proud of what they have produced – as we are of them.

“The Sky Academy has been the best place for my son to grow and develop with all the amazing support and understanding that all the staff have shown him and us all as a family.”

Charlie Ennals, Art teacher and PD lead at The Sky Academy, said she was “incredibly proud of the Year 11 GCSE Art student.

“Watching their creative journeys unfold over the past year has been nothing short of inspiring.”

Notice of Academy Parent Councillor Election

Dear Parents and Carers,

We have an exciting opportunity for you to join our Academy Council as a Parent Councillor! If you are passionate about our academy and want to make a difference, we encourage you to put your name forward for election. There are two parent councillor vacancy currently available for election.

What does being an Academy Councillor involve?

You don’t need to be a professional—your attitude and personal skills are what matter most. Our Academy Council meets five to six times a year, with occasional extra meetings during the school day. Councillors often focus on specific areas and are expected to attend meetings regularly, prepare in advance, and complete annual training. The term of office runs for four years.

Visits to the academy are also part of the role, offering valuable insights and perspectives. Parent Councillors bring a parent’s viewpoint to discussions and decisions, representing the parent body.

Deadline for Applications:

If you wish to stand for election, please complete the online form which you can access here or if you require a paper form, please contact the academy office, who will be happy to provide you with this.

The deadline for all expressions of interest is 12:00 on 1st July 2025.

If we receive more expressions of interest than the number of vacancies, an election will be held.

For more information, please email governance@clf.uk.

Kind regards,

Tessa Clark
Clerk to the Academy Council

Extra pupil capacity has been added to specialist school The Sky Academy in Taunton after a £4.9million expansion was formally opened.

Invited guests from Somerset Council, academy staff and governors, and representatives of the school’s parent trust Cabot Learning Federation attended a cake-cutting ceremony to unveil the extension this week.

The state-of-the-art building includes six new classrooms, breakout rooms, a science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) room, kitchenettes, and an activity space.

This expansion will enable The Sky Academy to take pupils from years 5 and 6 and help increase their chance of long-term success beyond education.

Work on the project – funded by Somerset Council and carried out by Willmott Dixon – has taken two years and has been carefully planned to have the maximum positive impact on pupils’ learning.

This is important for The Sky Academy, which is a specialist school for boys with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs and speech, language and communication needs (SLCN).

It is currently the only school offering this specialism within the local area – as a result, its pupils attend from a wide catchment area.

The project also saw contractor Willmott Dixon work with students to teach them construction skills like bricklaying. Students took to the task so well, Wilmott Dixon later offered one of the Sky Academy students an apprenticeship at another local site, the Digital Innovation Centre in Taunton.

Speaking at the opening of the new block, The Sky Academy’s Headteacher Bex Jones told guests the expansion reflects a commitment by all parties to ensuring the right specialist provision is available for children with SEND within the communities that they live.

Bex Jones, Headteacher at Sky Academy, said: “We are very proud to be at the heart of Somerset’s SEND improvement strategy for young people with SEMH needs. This new facility has further enabled us to provide the aspirational challenge, nurture and education that Sky has become known for – championing the success and life chances of all children.

“We look forward to the next stage of this collaborative journey, alongside other schools within the Cabot Learning Federation Somerset hub.”

Councillor Tessa Munt, Executive Lead Member for Children and Families, said “At Somerset Council, we are committed to providing equal learning opportunities to all young people. It is fantastic to see this important project completed, ensuring even more children in Somerset can benefit from a specialist learning environment close to home.”

The Sky Academy in Taunton has earned praise from Ofsted inspectors for the ‘significant’ improvements it has made to behaviour, leadership and curriculum – while confirmation of an imminent move to join a new school trust will help guide further progress.

Sky, a special school for 100 young people in years 5-11 with social, emotional and mental health needs, has made great progress since being rated ‘inadequate’ by inspectors last year.

A recent monitoring visit from the schools watchdog – carried out to monitor progress made to move out of special measures stemming from the earlier inspection – saw inspectors herald the steps taken by new school leadership to address past weaknesses and drive widespread improvement.

Ofsted’s report said: “The leadership team was in its infancy at the time of the previous inspection. The previous inspection report acknowledged that new leaders had started to tackle the significant weaknesses at the school. This work has continued.

“Substantive leaders now have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. They have acted quickly to impact areas they deemed a priority. This includes behaviour, attendance and special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) awareness amongst staff to support pupils’ learning.”

Inspectors acknowledged the ‘significant improvements’ carried out to the use of school buildings, and the impact this has had on safeguarding and raising expectations of student behaviour.

They also noted that leaders have taken ‘important’ steps to enhance Sky’s curriculum, including new measures to tailor academic and pastoral support to pupils on a bespoke basis. Initiatives designed to prioritise reading – and improve students’ attitudes and engagement – were singled out for praise.

Issues around poor student behaviour and attitudes are also being addressed effectively, according to Ofsted.

Inspectors said: “As a leadership team, you were very aware of the need to tackle the poor behaviour and attitudes to learning highlighted in the previous inspection. Your response to this has had some considerable impact.

“Teachers have the support and training they need to maintain high expectations of pupils. The school restructure has played a crucial role in this.

“Pupils now learn in nurture groups where the relationships with, and consistency of, adults are prioritised. Pupils describe the changes positively. They feel that staff work with them and give them time to talk. Pupils agree they feel listened to and that many of the staff understand their needs.

“The impact of this work can already be seen on pupils’ attendance and fewer behaviour incidents.”

Ofsted also recognised that most parents feel positively about the school and its ‘rapid journey of improvement’ – which will benefit from additional future support after the Department for Education gave a formal green light for Sky Academy to join a new multi-academy trust.

On August 1, Sky – alongside sister schools Lansdown Park Academy in Bristol and Brook Academy in Gloucestershire – will join the Cabot Learning Federation, a West Country Schools trust with a proven history of supporting schools to improve.

This will follow the dissolution of the Learn@ MAT which the three schools are currently part of.

Sky Academy Headteacher Bex Jones, who was appointed as substantive head in April 2022 and has led the rollout of improvement plans, said: “We are pleased that Ofsted has recognised the significant progress made at Sky over the past year, which is testament to the dedication and expertise of our team.

“Work to enhance to our curriculum and environment has had a big impact, and our students have responded well; the improvements to attitudes and behaviour are key to helping them achieve well.

“We recognise there is work still to do but believe joining the Cabot Learning Federation will open the door to new resources and collaborations which can help us fulfil our ambitions to deliver an excellent education which prepares our young people for adulthood.”