As Term Five draws to a close, we reflect on a busy and smile-filled few weeks that have highlighted the warmth, talent, and resilience of all that is Cotham Post 16. It’s been a time of celebration, transition, and community spirit, all underpinned by the incredible efforts of our students and staff.

This term marked the completion of more students’ Non-Exam Assessments (NEAs), a true showcase of independent learning, creativity, and subject mastery. A particular highlight has been the incredible work of our Year 13 Film students, whose final projects were as varied as they were impressive. From a number of brilliant music videos, a Tik Tok movie trailer and the opening sequence to a new reality TV show! Our Foundation students also continued with a series of brilliant events, organised as part of their business course. The staff vs students dodgeball game was intense but brilliant!

This term saw us say a heartfelt goodbye to our Year 13 and Foundation students. Year 13 marked the end of their Post 16 journey with a lively and moving Leavers’ Assembly. The afternoon was a celebration of their time with us, featuring live music, a student-made film full of humour and memories, and a host of awards and speeches that reflected their individual and collective achievements. It was a special moment for students and staff alike, filled with warmth and pride. Year 13s have since been making the rounds to say goodbye to staff who have supported them throughout their time at Cotham. A special mention must go to our Year 13 linguists, who marked the occasion with delicious homemade madeleines - the competition was fierce!

Our Foundation students celebrated their leavers’ event in the sunshine, gathering in the courtyard for an afternoon of outdoor games, music, and plenty of pizza. The sunny setting provided a perfect atmosphere to mark the end of their time with us and recognise the progress they've made.

The start of the exam season brings understandable pressures, and we were grateful to welcome Jade the therapy dog back to Post 16. Her calming presence helped soothe nerves and reminded us all of the importance of emotional wellbeing during this period. Despite the challenges, our students are rising to the occasion. Attendance, focus, and positive attitudes have been impressive, and we are incredibly proud of how our learners are approaching this first stage of exams.

Our veggie patch is bursting into life, thanks to the care of students who have been involved as part of our ongoing wellbeing work. The flourishing plants are a daily reminder of growth, both literal and metaphorical. Alongside this, lunchtime craft sessions have continued to offer a calming and creative outlet, and have been enjoyed by many students keen to take a mindful break in their day.

This term, students also took part in the Clothesline Project—an impactful initiative aimed at raising awareness around the ramifications of gang culture and youth violence. As part of the project, students created and displayed T-shirts carrying powerful messages, stories, and artwork, turning our shared spaces into a visual statement of solidarity, education, and change. It was moving to see students engage so thoughtfully with such complex social issues and demonstrate their commitment to shaping a safer, more informed community.

Year 12 students had a powerful session this term delivered by the Anthony Nolan Trust, where they learned about the impact of stem cell donation. We’re thrilled to share that over 25 students registered and completed their swab on the day, taking the first step in potentially saving lives.

Other highlights this term included a well-attended Post 16 Movie Night that brought students together for some downtime, as well as a successful Gold Duke of Edinburgh expedition where students showcased resilience, teamwork, and determination in challenging conditions. Geography students also headed out on their field trip to Slapton, exploring coastal landscapes and deepening their understanding of physical geography in the field – a fantastic chance to apply classroom learning in a real-world setting.

All that remains is to wish our students a well-deserved half term break. With futures on the mind, we would encourage students to make sure they keep an eye out for the weekly Post 16 Futures Bulletin, which is emailed to them directly but can also be accessed here. This break will be an important opportunity for our students to get some rest and take time for self care. We encourage them to have a look through the ideas and resources in our end-of-term Wellbeing Bulletin, which will be emailed to them before the break and you can preview it here.