<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<?xml-stylesheet href="/_includes/xsl/feeds.xsl" type="text/xsl" media="screen"?>
<rss version="2.0">
	<channel>
		<title><![CDATA[Great Bowden Academy News Feed - Latest News]]></title>
		<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fpid%3D3%26amp%3Bnid%3D1</link>
		<description><![CDATA[
]]></description>
		<generator>Juniper Education Content Management System (CMS) Version: 4.5 (junipereducation.org)</generator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:24:00 GMT</pubDate>
		<lastBuildDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:24:00 GMT</lastBuildDate>
		<item>	<title><![CDATA[ Summer Club Bookings now live ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=191</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Our Summer Club is back and bookings are now live!</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Dates: From 27<sup>th</sup> July to &nbsp;7<sup>th</sup> August<br />
Times: 9:00am &ndash; 15:00pm<br />
Price: &pound;20 a day, bookable on Arbor. Tax free childcare vouchers can be used.<br />
Location: Ridgeway Primary Academy</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">As we have successfully done for the last few years, we will be sharing our Summer Club with Ridgeway Primary Academy, which will be held at their school. Children will need to bring a snack, a packed lunch and a water bottle.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">For further information, please see the email send earlier in the week or email <a href="mailto:office@rpa.learnat.uk">office@rpa.learnat.uk</a>.</p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/191/list-Summer Holiday Club.png" length="40594" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:24:00 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=191</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ PTA Quiz Night Smashing Success ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=190</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">The recent PTA Quiz Night Fundraiser was another fantastic success &ndash; raising an astonishing &pound;1,300 for our school. Absolutely incredible.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">It was once again a full house with parents, teachers and friends of the school all battling it out to be crowned Quiz Team Champions, hosted this time in the Church Hall (Great Bowden Pre-school).</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">A huge thank you to everyone who came along, took part, donated, and helped make the evening such a fun and memorable one. A special thank goes to our fabulous quiz hosts Katie and Mike Knott, who brought so much energy and fun to the night. And to the wonderful organising team Caroline, Frances and Charlotte, among (many) others, working hard behind the scenes.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">We are so lucky to have such a supportive school community, from our active PTA to our wonderful parents and volunteers, who work so hard all year round to create these brilliant events. Your continued support makes such a difference to our school.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">We can&rsquo;t wait for more fun events ahead. Watch this space.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm"><img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/8BA6A9AEB8AD39B00F61104C0B54DF10.png" style="float:left; margin:0 1em 1em 0" title="" width="30%" /><img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/8F67998080E7473B6210EEB533289526.png" title="" width="30%" /><img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/96717DEA59E288C9801876C0866322BB.png" style="float:left; margin:0 1em 1em 0" title="" width="30%" /></p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/190/list-1.png" length="45729" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:22:26 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=190</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ STEM Conference ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=189</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Our Key Stage 2 pupils enjoyed an inspiring Saturday at last month&rsquo;s STEM Conference, exploring the exciting worlds of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Throughout the day, the children took part in three hands-on workshops, trying activities such as building catapults and helicopters, powering vehicles with balloons, using microscopes, exploring &pi; (pi), and investigating light. Miss Southam also led a creative and fascinating workshop on chromatography, which the children thoroughly enjoyed.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">The pupils were equally inspired by the guest speakers &ndash; including a science teacher from Robert Smyth Academy and a speaker from the University of Leicester, who shared fascinating insights about space.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">A huge thank you to Robert Smyth Academy and the incredible volunteers, including Miss Southam and Mrs Cave, for making this fantastic event possible.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">We definitely have some budding scientists, inventors and mathematicians in our midst!</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm"><img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/9D9CDC97F23C3B28B2EF79CE90023325.png" style="float:left; margin:0 1em 1em 0" title="" width="30%" /><img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/059F74295AC30B6EA1CEED5F24D8D8F6.png" style="float:left; margin:0 1em 1em 0" title="" width="30%" /><img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/69CEDF728C1FDAE7096BDAE8F699B1B1.png" style="float:left; margin:0 1em 1em 0" title="" width="30%" /></p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/189/list-STEM Conference 26.png" length="53206" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:19:26 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=189</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Thank You, Quinns Pop-Up ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=188</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Although it was a couple of weeks ago now, we couldn&rsquo;t miss the chance to say a huge thank you to Quinns Bookshop, and especially Danny, for hosting another fantastic World Book Day pop-up shop in our school hall.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">In the afternoon, the children loved choosing their free World Book Day books from the stall using their tokens. We were also delighted by the brilliant response to the after-school pop-up, with so many families popping in to browse and buy a book or two.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">A big thank you to everyone who supported the stall. Quinns once again offered their 10% cashback for schools, and Danny was pleased to tell us that the event raised &pound;44.36 for Great Bowden Academy to spend on books. We&rsquo;ve already used this to add some wonderful new titles from our recommended reading wishlist to the school library.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Danny shared this lovely message with us:<br />
<em>&ldquo;Thank you again for a SUPERB book stall event at school on World Book Day! It is always a pleasure to see the kiddies getting excited about reading and books.&rdquo; </em></p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">And we couldn&rsquo;t agree more.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Thank you Quinns &mdash; and thank you to all our book lovers!</p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/188/list-Thank you Quinns.png" length="56027" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:15:31 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=188</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Boys Football League – Final Stage ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=187</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Our boys&rsquo; football team recently took part in the final round of the league fixtures, finishing the stage with two draws and one narrow defeat. It was a series of hard-fought games, and the team showed fantastic determination, teamwork and resilience throughout.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">In truth, the first two matches could easily have been convincing wins if it hadn&rsquo;t been for some outstanding goalkeeping from the opposition, with countless saves keeping the scores level. On another day those chances may well have found the back of the net!</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">The boys worked brilliantly together and represented the school with real pride. Their efforts this season mean they are set to finish around mid-table in the league, a strong result in a very competitive group. They narrowly missed out on promotion, but their commitment and team spirit have been excellent all season.</p>

<p>Well done to the whole team &ndash; you should be very</p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/187/list-Football League - boys.png" length="52030" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:14:23 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=187</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Happy International Women’s Day ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=186</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Today, we celebrate the incredible women who make Great Bowden Academy such a special place. From those who lead, inspire, teach, care, motivate, engage, organise, and guide us every day &ndash; you&nbsp;are truly amazing.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">And to our wonderful, smart, fun, kind, adventurous, and thoughtful children &ndash; you&nbsp;are the future, and we can all learn so much from you.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">We are so lucky to have each and every one of you in our school community. Here&rsquo;s to celebrating women in all their greatness, today and every day!</p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/186/list-International Womens day.png" length="56393" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:13:04 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=186</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Eco Extravaganz ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=185</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">On Thursday our Eco Ambassadors enjoyed an inspiring day at the Eco Extravaganza, packed full of workshops, ideas and opportunities to learn more about sustainability.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">The children took part in a range of fantastic sessions &ndash; using Lego to explore where the most energy is used in schools, discovering how we can develop our school grounds to become more biodiverse and wildlife-friendly, and learning about the ways the cathedral is working to become more sustainable. They even made their own seed balls to help encourage wildflowers and pollinators.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">As part of the visit, the group also enjoyed a tour of the cathedral, where they saw King Richard III&rsquo;s tomb, travelled sustainably by train, enjoyed lunch together in the sunshine, and even had time to celebrate some of their favourite eco books as it was World Book Day!</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">A highlight of the day was the children presenting their eco project:<br />
&ldquo;Small Changes Can Make a Big Difference &ndash; Improving Recycling and Reducing Plastic Waste.&rdquo;</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">The presentation shared all the fantastic work the Eco Team has been doing this year. The judges were incredibly impressed by how confidently the children explained their ideas and reflected on the impact of their work. We are thrilled to share that they were awarded the Eco-Factor Project Award for &lsquo;the most impressive presentation&rsquo; &ndash; a huge well done.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">We are so proud of their enthusiasm, commitment and passion for protecting our planet. Well done team.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">A huge thank you to the Diocese Board of Education for organising such a brilliant event, and to the many organisations who supported the day, including Let&rsquo;s Go Zero, Nature Park and PECT.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm"><img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/3EDE73804232E1FAB2355D54EA599DC4.png" style="float:left; margin:0 1em 1em 0" title="" width="30%" />&nbsp;&nbsp;<img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/0A2D02E456CE8E3EE8286D6FF9F596EA.png" style="float:left; margin:0 1em 1em 0" title="" width="30%" /><img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/D8D31D0B935904E69C10B7BEFBE24EBC.png" style="float:left; margin:0 1em 1em 0" title="" width="30%" /></p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/185/list-Eco Extravaganza 1).png" length="51190" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:11:08 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=185</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ World Book Day ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=184</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">At Great Bowden Academy, reading is one of our BIG things, so it&rsquo;s no surprise that World Book Day is one of our favourite days of the year!</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">This year the children came to school dressed for our &lsquo;Cosy Up and Read&rsquo; non-uniform day, and we loved seeing the fantastic decorated masks inspired by their favourite books. It was a brilliant way to celebrate the stories and characters that children love most.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">We started the day with a whole school World Book Day assembly, before heading back to class to explore our whole-school text, &lsquo;<em>The Barnabus Project&rsquo;</em> by the Fan Brothers. Inspired by the story of Barnabus &ndash; a &ldquo;failed project&rdquo; who escapes a secret lab to find a place where he belongs &ndash; the children completed creative writing and artwork, thinking carefully about the themes of belonging, difference and acceptance.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Later in the morning, the children met in their school houses for a fun Book Cover Treasure Hunt, searching for clues hidden around the school. This was followed by one of our favourite parts of the day &ndash; paired reading, where older pupils teamed up with younger ones to share and read their favourite books brought in from home.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">In the afternoon, after enjoying their Harry Potter themed lunch, classes continued exploring <em>The Barnabus Project</em>, with quizzes, creative activities and a collaborative frieze, before finishing the day with more paired reading in house groups.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">It was a wonderful day celebrating the joy of books, stories and reading together. A huge well done to all our readers.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm"><img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/87A19CCA60154DA396DCD57DD4919FC8.png" style="float:left; margin:0 1em 1em 0" title="" width="30%" />&nbsp;&nbsp;<img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/AB38FE1F4CB2DD1DA35AE55C4CB89F96.png" style="float:left; margin:0 1em 1em 0" title="" width="30%" /><img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/89C3F501D068DB5764C509CBC35D4E3A.png" style="float:left; margin:0 1em 1em 0" title="" width="30%" /></p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/184/list-World Book Day 26 1).png" length="77558" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:08:27 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=184</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Eco Team Launch Plastic Recycling Scheme ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=183</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Our fantastic Eco Team have been busy taking action! This week they led a whole-school assembly all about plastic pollution &mdash; what it is, why it&rsquo;s harmful to our natural world and wildlife, and most importantly, what we can all do to help.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">They encouraged everyone to <em>question their rubbish</em> &mdash; Can it be recycled? Can it go in one of our school recycling bins? Why does recycling really matter?</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">We&rsquo;re excited to share that they have now launched the Warburtons Bakery Free Recycling Programme in partnership with TerraCycle. Families are invited to bring in <em>clean bakery packaging</em> which we will collect and send off to be recycled, helping to reduce plastic waste.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">We are so proud of the confidence and leadership our Eco Team showed in collective worship &mdash; true ambassadors for positive change.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">As they reminded us all - Reduce! Reuse! Recycle!</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/183/list-Eco team Plastic recycling.png" length="53903" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:03:53 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=183</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Love Was in the Air ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=182</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">What a busy half term it&rsquo;s been &ndash; we&rsquo;re still catching up on all the highlights! This time, we&rsquo;re looking back at our lovely Valentine&rsquo;s celebrations.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">We kicked things off with the ever-popular PTA Valentine&rsquo;s Bake Sale &ndash; and what a treat it was. A huge thank you to everyone who baked, bought and volunteered. Even the weather couldn&rsquo;t dampen our spirits as we moved the stall indoors. The team raised an impressive &pound;260 &ndash; amazing!</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Our in-house caterers, Miquils, also shared the love with a special Valentine&rsquo;s-themed lunch, complete with hearts, balloons and thoughtful touches. It was a wonderful opportunity for the children to sit together and reflect on what makes their friendships so special.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">We do love celebrating the little moments &ndash; spreading smiles while raising valuable funds for our school community. Thank you for your continued support.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm"><img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/1B696B7FE6C0395A3E3BA37D21072F4F.png" style="float:left; margin:0 1em 1em 0" title="" width="30%" />&nbsp;&nbsp;<img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/9A4B2F47B514D6BA980E5B1501F6F385.png" style="float:left; margin:0 1em 1em 0" title="" width="30%" /><img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/DAE70E4A931A7C1B4B51129294DD9263.png" style="float:left; margin:0 1em 1em 0" title="" width="30%" /></p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/182/list-Valentines 1).png" length="54595" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:01:09 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=182</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Practical Science in Action ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=181</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Last half term, Class 3 have been exploring the science of <em>sound</em> &ndash; and it&rsquo;s been hands-on from start to finish.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Working scientifically, the children investigated whether the distance from a sound source affects its volume. Using a sound meter to collect accurate data, they carefully considered how to keep their test fair and drew thoughtful conclusions from their results. We were so impressed with their teamwork and reasoning skills.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">They&rsquo;ve also been learning about high and low pitch &ndash; and what better way to explore this than by creating their very own pan flutes! It was a brilliant opportunity to combine science, creativity and a little musical flair.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Future scientists (and musicians!) in the making&hellip;</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm"><img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/B3DC3EF4C627D0A4BBD6C4ECEE7B517D.png" style="float:left; margin:0 1em 1em 0" title="" width="30%" /><img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/C3A0C1689AD8023CFAE2A52B0B43BABA.png" style="float:left; margin:0 1em 1em 0" title="" width="30%" />&nbsp;<img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/7E5D9A844EB21F391BB001D5B446C513.png" style="float:left; margin:0 1em 1em 0" title="" width="30%" /></p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/181/list-Practical science 1).png" length="56494" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:57:28 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=181</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Safer Internet Day ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=180</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Catching up on the end of last term, 11<sup>th</sup> February was Safer Internet Day, where every class across the school took part in a special session focusing on how to use the internet &ndash; and particularly AI &ndash; safely and responsibly.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">We explored both the benefits and limitations of AI, recognising that while it can be a helpful tool (for example, suggesting a new song to listen to), it doesn&rsquo;t think as creatively as our brains or have the same imagination that makes each of us unique.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Students had thoughtful discussions about using AI in positive ways and making sure it is never used in a way that could upset or harm others. We also reminded everyone of the importance of speaking to a trusted adult if they ever see something online that makes them feel worried, unsure or uncomfortable.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">We&rsquo;re proud of the maturity and insight our pupils showed during these important conversations.</p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/180/list-Safer Internet Day 2026 1).png" length="49431" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:55:01 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=180</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Children’s Mental Health Wee ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=179</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">At the end of last term, we marked <em>Children&rsquo;s Mental Health Week</em> by taking part in a special live assembly focused on this year&rsquo;s theme, <strong>&ldquo;This Is My Place.&rdquo;</strong></p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">We listened to author Katie Hopper introduce her new book <em>Sylvia&rsquo;s Candle</em>, which sparked thoughtful conversations about belonging, feeling safe, and finding places where we can truly be ourselves.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">In Key Stage 2, the children spent the afternoon reflecting on why our classrooms are such positive places to learn and grow, as well as thinking about their own special places. They created beautiful <em>positivity pouches</em>, filled with affirmations and reminders of just how unique and valued they are.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Supporting our children&rsquo;s wellbeing is at the heart of what we do. Helping them recognise their worth and feel confident in who they are is such an important life skill.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm"><img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/179/F3CBD11A290847FEBA3DDF268C66051C.png" style="float:left; margin:0 1em 1em 0" title="" width="30%" />&nbsp; &nbsp;<img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/179/8855F4246A15F05B5B1E033B321B1B35.png" style="float:left; margin:0 1em 1em 0" title="" width="30%" /><img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/179/4921A41F2C508650C90E0A49563F1162.png" style="float:left; margin:0 1em 1em 0" title="" width="30%" /></p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/179/list-childrens mental Health week 1).png" length="55170" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:52:47 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=179</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Headteacher Awards ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=178</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Last half term, we were proud to introduce our Headteacher Awards, a new way to recognise pupils who consistently demonstrate our school expectations of being ready, respectful and responsible. These special awards are presented at the end of each half term and celebrate children who consistently show they are fully engage in their learning, and act as positive role models for others.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">A huge well done to all the children who received their Headteacher Award this term, presented during our Flourish Worship. We are incredibly proud of you and the example you set every day.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/178/list-Headteacher Award.png" length="58751" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:53:33 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=178</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Curious about a career in teaching? ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=171</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm"><br />
If you&rsquo;ve ever wondered what it&rsquo;s really like to train and work as a teacher, this is your moment.&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Join Learn Academies Trust for a friendly drop‑in event where you can chat with real experts, explore your options, and get honest answers about the path into teaching.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">📅 28 February 2026<br />
⏰ 10am&ndash;1pm<br />
📍 Sock Gallery, Loughborough Town Hall</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Whether you&rsquo;re:<br />
&bull; A final‑year uni student figuring out your future<br />
&bull; A teaching assistant ready to progress<br />
&bull; Or considering a complete career change</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">&hellip;you&rsquo;re warmly invited.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Pop in, say hello, and discover where teaching could take you.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Find out more on our website: <a href="http://www.learnat.uk/institute-of-education/teacher-training">www.learnat.uk/institute-of-education/teacher-training</a></p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm"><img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/35EF579F25C396C8755BB3AA3770B357.jpg" title="" width="75%" /></p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm"><img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/11132206B6F292EF8B8E8F8CBD540800.jpg" title="" width="75%" /></p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/171/list-Teacher Training event.png" length="50450" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Thu, 12 Feb 2026 15:42:13 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=171</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ New Age Kurling Champions ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=170</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Last week, our fantastic New Age Kurling team headed to Robert Smyth Academy &ndash; and once again brought home a trophy!</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">New Age Kurling is an inclusive indoor sport played on flat surfaces using specially designed stones with bearings. While it shares strategy and scoring with traditional curling (played on ice), it&rsquo;s a versatile, low-impact alternative that allows everyone to get involved and compete.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">The team also had the opportunity to try their hand at boccia, a precision target sport similar to bowls or p&eacute;tanque &ndash; and they absolutely loved it!</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">It was wonderful to see the students getting fully involved, showing great focus, teamwork and determination. Everyone left with big smiles &ndash; and a well-earned trophy!</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">A huge well done to our amazing players for representing Great Bowden Academy so brilliantly.</p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/170/list-New Age Kurling Champions.png" length="52575" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:02:23 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=170</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ NSPCC Numbers Day - £160 Raised ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=169</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">A huge thank you to everyone who took part in Friday&rsquo;s NSPCC Number Day &ndash; a nationwide maths fundraising event where schools across the UK have fun with numbers while raising money for a fantastic cause.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Our pupils loved showing their individuality in their own clothes and enjoyed getting stuck into the special number-themed lunch menu!</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Thank you to our families for your generosity and support &ndash; together we raised an amazing &pound;160 for the NSPCC.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm"><img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/B38FF82DE59C9AB604BEE345FBFB3796.png" title="" width="30%" />&nbsp;&nbsp;<img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/26070A622AB3897DDC0184F43FCBA246.png" title="" width="30%" />&nbsp;&nbsp;<img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/A6E338A2E0B1B758491CAFC7FABA3967.png" title="" width="30%" /></p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/169/list-Numbers Day 1).png" length="59720" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Tue, 10 Feb 2026 14:58:02 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=169</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ School Vision Teams in Action ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=168</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Last week our &lsquo;<em>Vision Teams&rsquo;</em> met to share ideas for positive change across school and in our community.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Children take the lead as part of teams that matter to them &ndash; Eco Team, Worship Team, School Council, Sports Ambassadors and Wellbeing Ambassadors &ndash; bringing passion and creativity to the table. These meetings are child-led, giving every voice a chance to be heard and respected.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">From dreaming up eco-friendly projects to boosting wellbeing, planning worship or enhancing sports opportunities, our vision ambassadors show us every day how much difference children can make when they&rsquo;re listened to and empowered.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">We&rsquo;re so proud of how our pupils are shaping school life for the better.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm"><img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/47BA26E7508F7BF82310CB57EE0ED113.png" title="" width="30%" />&nbsp;&nbsp;<img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/0539C4CB7EED32ECF3775C76D0B80854.png" title="" width="30%" />&nbsp;&nbsp;<img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/8DB1CBEFC1BC07B8CDB08DA6A41B801D.png" title="" width="30%" /><img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/3C1DE863D157914120DC60831B71E0F0.png" title="" width="30%" /></p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/168/list-Vision Teams 1).png" length="57549" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Wed, 28 Jan 2026 12:52:43 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=168</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Movie Night ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=167</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Last Thursday&rsquo;s Movie Night was an absolute blast! A huge thank you to our amazing PTA for organising such a fantastic evening.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">The hall was transformed into a cosy haven of blankets, pillows and teddies as the children snuggled up in their comfiest outfits to watch the film &ndash; complete with popcorn and an interval ice-cream. It was a joy to hear so much laughter and excitement throughout the evening.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">And just as exciting &ndash; the night raised an incredible &pound;450!</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">We are truly fortunate to have such a committed and supportive PTA, who work tirelessly to provide fun, memorable experiences for our pupils while also raising vital funds for the school. This year, our big fundraising aim is to replace the wooden boat/shed on the field with a more suitable, all-weather structure that all children can enjoy at any time of day.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Thank you to everyone who came along, volunteered and contributed &ndash; you make events like this possible!</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm"><img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/5173762B90B1BE0EDE5FD6DD7A3B261B.png" title="" width="30%" />&nbsp;&nbsp;<img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/BD2583378A7E7EB41F1721B6932B2A73.png" title="" width="30%" />&nbsp;&nbsp;<img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/C655903FB5FA00A81EAF982821F47BF1.png" title="" width="30%" /></p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/167/list-Movie night.png" length="62039" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jan 2026 16:21:10 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=167</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Making Campfire Doughnuts ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=166</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Mondays are always full of adventure because it&rsquo;s forest school day Last week the children had a deliciously memorable experience making campfire doughnuts.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Young volunteers stepped up as forest school chefs, following instructions to make their treats - jam sandwich dipped in batter, shallow fried over the fire and finished with a coat of caster sugar. The children took their <em>sous chef</em> duties very seriously, showing great focus, teamwork and care.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">What a tasty way to enjoy outdoor learning. Miss Southam can report they were delicious!</p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/166/list-FS Campfire Doughnuts.png" length="71440" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jan 2026 16:18:14 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=166</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Exploring the Book of Exodus ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=165</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">This week, Class 4 have been diving into the Book of Exodus as part of their RE learning. They&rsquo;ve not only been discovering the incredible stories within this part of the Bible, but also learning how to use biblical references - finding book, chapter and verse - to locate specific passages for themselves.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">It&rsquo;s been fantastic to see the children developing confidence in navigating a Bible, using references, and deepening their understanding of the stories and themes in Exodus. This skill helps them grow both in their Biblical knowledge and in the habit of exploring texts independently.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Well done, Class 4 - your curiosity and focus are shining through.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm"><img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/44C3E26BC6AFDBE74EF34A81CA8BEC3F.png" title="" width="35%" />&nbsp;&nbsp;<img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/E3B919C6DC7D81D8A849AE307A5DF3E9.png" title="" width="35%" /></p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/165/list-Book 1).png" length="59234" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jan 2026 16:16:56 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=165</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Class 3 Making Music ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=164</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Class 3 have been having a fantastic time learning a brand-new skill in music this week &mdash; playing &ldquo;Mamma Mia&rdquo; on the glockenspiels.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">It&rsquo;s been brilliant to see the children concentrate, collaborate and flex their musical talents as they learn the song, keep rhythm and perform together. Watching children go from unsure beginners to confident musicians is a joy - their enthusiasm and focus really shone through in these lessons.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Music lessons like this help build confidence, coordination and teamwork &ndash; keep it up Class 3, well done.</p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/164/list-C3 Music 1).png" length="59717" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jan 2026 16:14:56 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=164</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Basketball Success ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=163</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">A huge well done to our Basketball team who came 3rd overall in Tuesday&rsquo;s tournament against other local schools. With 2 wins, 2 losses, and a draw, our team played with fantastic spirit, resilience and teamwork throughout some really hard-fought games.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">We&rsquo;re incredibly proud of every player - you showed determination, supported each other, and represented Great Bowden Academy brilliantly.</p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/163/list-Basketball.png" length="56025" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jan 2026 16:13:09 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=163</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ SEND Coffee Morning – 26th January ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=162</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Parents of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are invited to a friendly SEND coffee morning on Monday 26th January at 9am in the school hall.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Come along to meet Erica Biddle (GBA SENDCo), Sally Appleby (Ridgeway Headteacher &amp; SENDCo) and Denise Hammond (Family Support). We&#39;ll be sharing information about SEND support in school, what&#39;s available for families. There will also be a chance to help plan the focus of future SEND events.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">We hope to see you there.</p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/162/list-1.png" length="50030" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jan 2026 16:11:53 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=162</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Forest School: Learning, Laughter & Lots of Mud ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=161</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Forest school this week was <em>wet, muddy and full of fun</em> as our Year 6 children embraced the elements and got stuck into some brilliant outdoor challenges!</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">The children experimented with <strong>water filtering</strong>, took on the tricky task of sending a <strong>real chicken egg down a zip line</strong> (without cracking it!), and of course&hellip; finished with the ever-popular <strong>mud slide</strong>!</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Let&rsquo;s just say the children had an amazing time&hellip; a fantastic session full of teamwork, resilience and laughter &ndash; forest school at its best.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm"><img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/A285CE04196A1301F2085C6F3F8902CD.png" title="" width="30%" />&nbsp;&nbsp;<img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/9D1A14B8562374875CF7D23B23267937.png" title="" width="30%" />&nbsp;&nbsp;<img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/1D7F51C073743ACD4FAD4BA3ED1C8F69.png" title="" width="30%" /></p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/161/list-Y6 Forest school 1).png" length="77712" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jan 2026 16:09:54 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=161</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Primary School Places – Final Reminder ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=160</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Do you have a child due to start school this September?<br />
Tomorrow (15th January) is the deadline to apply for a primary school place.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Don&rsquo;t miss the chance to secure a place at Great Bowden Academy - we can&rsquo;t wait to welcome our next Reception children and their families.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Apply now and take the first step in your child&rsquo;s GBA journey.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm"><img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/EF0242187BD6F50C28B69AFF3A00D973.png" title="" width="85%" /></p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/160/list-Final reminder 1).png" length="67008" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jan 2026 16:07:16 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=160</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Design & Technology: Toy Making in Action ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=159</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Class 3 and Class 4 have kicked off an exciting new Design &amp; Technology project, working towards creating their own moving toys.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Last week, the children focused on developing their sawing skills, practising both straight and diagonal cuts to create neat corners and accurate shapes. This careful preparation is an important step in the design process &mdash; and they did a fantastic job.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">We&rsquo;re really impressed with their focus, resilience and growing confidence when using tools safely. We can&rsquo;t wait to see how their toy designs develop over the coming weeks.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm"><img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/83673E788A6F6833D74A3D1DC0CE18CA.png" title="" width="45%" /></p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/159/list-DT Toy Making 1).png" length="50442" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jan 2026 16:05:59 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=159</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Snow Fun ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=158</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">We didn&rsquo;t get a huge amount of snow on Friday, but that didn&rsquo;t stop the children from making the most of it.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">From excited smiles to snowy playtime fun, it was lovely to see the children enjoying the wintry weather, proving that even a little snow can bring a lot of joy.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm"><img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/74BD3FAAA82A6E0D70959DFC5E1DFB40.png" title="" width="35%" />&nbsp;&nbsp;<img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/837D31E2101A8DAECC224CB1F47ED670.png" title="" width="35%" /></p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/158/list-Snow Day 1).png" length="49722" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jan 2026 16:04:38 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=158</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Year 6 Visit Warning Zone ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=157</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">On Tuesday, our Year 6 pupils took part in an important and engaging visit to Warning Zone Life Skills Centre &mdash; a powerful, hands-on experience designed to help young people recognise risks and make safer choices in real-life situations.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Warning Zone is an interactive education centre that helps children develop vital life skills through realistic scenarios, covering areas such as online safety, personal safety, transport, fire, water safety and anti-social behaviour.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">During the morning, pupils explored key aspects of e-safety, with plenty of eye-opening moments. For example, they discovered just how easily personal information can be shared without realising, and how simple it can be for people to disguise who they are online. As always, the competitive spirit shone through during the &ldquo;Who Wants to Be an E-Safety Expert?&rdquo; quiz at the end!</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">In the afternoon, the children moved through the eight different zones, each focusing on a specific area of risk &mdash; including railway safety, fire safety in the home, canal and water safety, alcohol awareness and anti-social behaviour. The county lines zone proved especially impactful, prompting thoughtful discussion and strong reactions, while the road safety zone was highly interactive&hellip; and confirmed once and for all why 11-year-olds definitely shouldn&rsquo;t drive!</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">A hugely valuable day that sparked great conversations and helped equip our pupils with knowledge they&rsquo;ll carry forward. Well done to Year 6 for their maturity, curiosity and engagement throughout the visit. And thank you to the staff and volunteers at Warning Zone for their time and knowledge on this highly engaging visit.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm"><img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/1BE6BE49FC476F7209DF178D64B80898.png" title="" width="30%" />&nbsp;&nbsp;<img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/9657EED5486FA7C58101B56D1D248402.png" title="" width="30%" />&nbsp;&nbsp;<img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/CAF5E99B696863546BDD0412AACD9A40.png" title="" width="30%" /></p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/157/list-Warning ZOne 1).png" length="61899" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jan 2026 16:02:36 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=157</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ We’ve Been Adopted - Swim and Gym for Free! ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=155</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">We&rsquo;re excited to share some brilliant news for our school community &mdash; Great Bowden Academy has been adopted by Everyone Active!</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">As part of Everyone Active&rsquo;s <em>Adopt a School</em> programme, they&rsquo;re supporting us for 2 weeks with some fantastic FREE activity offers, helping our children, families and staff stay active and healthy</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">From Friday 9th January, our school community can enjoy:<br />
🏊 2 weeks FREE swimming for school pupils aged 10 &amp; under<br />
🏋️&zwj;♂️ 2 weeks FREE junior gym &amp; swimming for pupils aged 11&ndash;15<br />
💪 2 weeks FREE gym &amp; swim membership for parents/guardians aged 16+<br />
👩&zwj;🏫 2 weeks FREE gym &amp; swim membership for school employees aged 16+</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">All pupils at GBA can swim for free during the two weeks, and parents, guardians and staff can also make the most of the complimentary memberships.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">If you need help setting up your account, simply pop into Harborough Leisure Centre or call Everyone Active Memberships on 01858 410115 &mdash; their team will be happy to help.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">A huge thank you to Everyone Active for supporting our school and helping our community get moving.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/155/list-Everyday Active Adaoption.png" length="56234" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jan 2026 15:57:29 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=155</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Vote for GBA PTA with Waitrose Green Tokens ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=156</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Our amazing PTA have done it again! We&rsquo;re delighted to share that Great Bowden Academy PTA has been selected for the Waitrose Community Matters Green Token scheme, giving us the chance to receive up to &pound;1,500 for the school.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">It&rsquo;s incredibly easy to support us - simply pop a green token into the Great Bowden Academy PTA box when you visit Waitrose for your weekly shop, and Waitrose&rsquo;s <em>Community Matters</em> scheme will do the rest.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">A huge thank you to Waitrose for including our PTA and for the fantastic work they do through <em>Community Matters</em>, which has already donated over &pound;50 million to good causes - truly amazing support for local communities.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">So, if you&rsquo;re heading to Waitrose, please remember to drop us a green token - but be quick, it won&rsquo;t be around for long!</p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/156/list-Waitrose Green Tokens.png" length="60521" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jan 2026 15:59:47 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=156</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Headteacher Awards ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=153</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Last half term, we were proud to introduce our Headteacher Awards, a new way to recognise pupils who consistently demonstrate our school expectations of being ready, respectful and responsible. These special awards are presented at the end of each half term and celebrate children who consistently show they are fully engage in their learning, and act as positive role models for others.</p>

<p>A huge well done to all the children who received their Headteacher Award this term, presented during our Flourish Worship. We are incredibly</p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/153/list-Headteacher Award.png" length="58751" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jan 2026 15:10:20 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=153</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Christmas Carol Concert ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=152</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Last Thursday, our Key Stage 2 children filled St Peter &amp; St Paul&rsquo;s Church with Christmas cheer, singing their hearts out with a beautiful selection of traditional carols. Their confidence, enthusiasm and gorgeous singing truly captured the spirit of Christmas.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">This year we were also treated to wonderfully festive performances from our talented cellists, who played brilliantly and added something really special to the occasion.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">A huge thank you to all the families who were able to join us and share in this magical event, and a very special thank you to Rev&rsquo;d Hils for once again welcoming us so warmly and helping to make our annual carol concert so memorable.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">What a joyful way to celebrate together as a school community.</p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/152/list-Carols 2025 11).png" length="70954" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jan 2026 15:08:03 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=152</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Christmas Lunch ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=151</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">What a wonderful festive day we&rsquo;ve had celebrating <strong>Christmas Lunch Day</strong> on Wednesday. The children enjoyed a delicious Christmas roast with all the trimmings &mdash; and looked fantastic in the festive hats they proudly made in class.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">This day is always a firm favourite for pupils and staff alike. Our amazing team helped serve dinner to the children first, before sitting down to enjoy their own Christmas feast &mdash; another lovely GBA tradition that brings everyone together.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">It was a day full of smiles, laughter, festive music and community spirit &mdash; just what Christmas is all about.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm"><img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/47DCE54991A52D47D11BBA6C968E45F0.png" title="" width="30%" />&nbsp;&nbsp;<img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/6360541F482C7542946B9A9086DAAFD1.png" title="" width="30%" />&nbsp;&nbsp;<img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/BFCDD5A71743733A26CAD019AE99027F.png" title="" width="30%" /></p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/151/list-Christmas Lunch 1).png" length="64413" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jan 2026 15:06:44 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=151</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Merry Christmas from Great Bowden Academy ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=150</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Wishing all our children, families, staff, governors, and wider community a truly <strong>happy and peaceful Christmas</strong>.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Thank you for your wonderful support, kindness and enthusiasm throughout the term &mdash; you help make GBA such a special place to learn, grow and flourish.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">We hope you enjoy a magical festive break filled with joy, laughter and precious time with loved ones. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in the New Year for more exciting learning and adventures.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Merry Christmas, everyone.</p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/150/list-Happy Christmas.png" length="45465" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jan 2026 15:03:01 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=150</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Hands-On Science: What Makes Up Blood ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=149</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">As part of their science topic on the <strong>human circulatory system</strong>, Class 5 have been diving into the fascinating world of <strong>blood and its components</strong> &mdash; and what better way to learn than by <em>making their own model of blood</em>!</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Using water with yellow food dye for plasma, red-dyed cereal hoops for red blood cells, marshmallows for white blood cells, and raisins for platelets, the children created a hands-on (and very memorable!) model to show how each component works together inside our bodies.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">A brilliant, interactive lesson that brought their learning to life &mdash; well done, Class 5.</p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/149/list-Science 4).png" length="56969" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jan 2026 15:01:42 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=149</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Geography: Poles Apart ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=148</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">As part of their geography topic on the polar regions, Class 5 have been exploring why the poles experience such extreme daylight hours. Using globes and torches, the children investigated how the Earth&rsquo;s tilt and orbit around the Sun cause the polar regions to be dark all day in winter and light all day in summer.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">A brilliant hands-on lesson that brought learning to life and helped the children really see how our planet works. Well done, Class 5.</p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/148/list-Geography poles 1).png" length="47974" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jan 2026 15:00:14 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=148</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Friday Festive Fun ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=147</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">What a <em>fabulously festive</em> Friday we had at Great Bowden Academy. The whole school came together in the morning to enjoy Chaplins Mini Panto&rsquo;s hilarious performance of <em>Little Red Riding Hood</em> &mdash; packed full of laughter, singing, and plenty of festive cheer!</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">In the afternoon, we split into house groups for a creative paper chain challenge &mdash; which house could design and build the <em>longest chain</em>?&nbsp; The teamwork was wonderful to see, with older pupils supporting younger ones and everyone getting stuck in.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">We finished the day with a treasure hunt (even braving the rain) as children searched for hidden pictures and earned even more house points along the way.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">A brilliant day full of fun - very impressed with the children&#39;s enthusiasm, teamwork and energy.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm"><img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/7933A76CD18878CC5A42C40D2E1A6BA4.png" title="" width="30% " />&nbsp;&nbsp;<img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/667FDE19CB06DB26F25CC3DD919F2E46.png" title="" width="30%" />&nbsp;&nbsp;<img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/6006FE62E255E4B069DCFE8F548A9CA9.png" title="" width="30%" /></p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/147/list-Festive Friday 1).png" length="63013" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jan 2026 14:57:29 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=147</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Nativity ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=146</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">A huge well done to all the wonderful children in Class 1 and Class 2 for their brilliant Nativity performances this week. You brought the Christmas story to life so beautifully - with wonderful acting, joyful singing, and lots of festive sparkle. We couldn&rsquo;t be prouder of you as the children&rsquo;s voices filled the church with warmth and Christmas cheer..</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">It was truly special to see the children shine in church, and we were delighted to welcome so many families who came along to support them.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Thank you again to everyone involved, both on stage and behind the scenes, for making this year&rsquo;s Nativity such a magical moment in our school calendar.</p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/146/list-PXL20251210141318637 CROP.jpg" length="77524" type="image/jpeg" />
	<pubDate>Thu, 22 Jan 2026 12:55:52 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=146</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ LIVE From Antarctica: Class 5 Meet a Real Polar Explorer ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=145</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Last week, Class 5 took part in something truly extraordinary - joining a <em>live assembly broadcast directly from Antarctica</em>! Our pupils tuned in to hear from Robert Swan OBE, the world-famous polar explorer, environmentalist, and the first person in history to walk to both the North and South Poles.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">This historic event, organised by Picture News, was the first ever live school assembly to be transmitted from this remote Antarctic base, brought together an estimated 4,000 schools from across the globe. Pupils listened intently as Swan shared stories of his expeditions, his encounters with the impact of climate change, and his mission to protect the planet&rsquo;s last great wilderness.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">After seeing the effects of climate change, Swan now dedicates himself to promoting sustainability and climate action through his&nbsp;2041 Foundation, which focuses on preserving Antarctica and inspiring future leaders in renewable energy and recycling. Swan founded the Foundation because 2041 is the year that the current Antarctica Treaty ends, and the future of this last wilderness will be decided.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">What an inspiring moment for our young explorers - and a powerful reminder of the difference future generations can make, and a fantastic way to link their learning on their topic on the polar regions. The children each received a certificate congratulating them on being part of a piece of Antarctic history.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Great Bowden Academy extends its thanks to Robert Swan and his team, and Picture News, for making this remarkable educational event possible.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/145/list-Arctic Explorer 1).png" length="50866" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Thu, 22 Jan 2026 12:20:08 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=145</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Santa’s Been ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=144</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">The festive spirit is well and truly alive at Great Bowden Academy after a magical visit from Father Christmas last week &mdash; all made possible by the incredible hard work and imagination of our wonderful PTA.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Pupils were welcomed into a beautifully transformed library, turned into a sparkling winter wonderland filled with twinkling lights, cosy decorations, and plenty of Christmas magic. Father Christmas greeted each class, read a festive story, answered eager questions, and gifted every child a special present to take home &mdash; creating an unforgettable moment for everyone.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">The joy on the children&rsquo;s faces said it all. It was a heartwarming reminder of the strength of our school community and the spirit of Christmas shining brightly throughout GBA.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">A huge thank you to the PTA for organising this magical experience.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">And thank you to everyone who has donated so far. If you&#39;d still like to contribute, the Santa&rsquo;s Grotto fundraising link remains open here: <a href="https://wonderful.org/fundraisers/R06Be" target="_new">https://wonderful.org/fundraisers/R06Be</a></p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/144/list-Santas Grott0 2025.png" length="69348" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Thu, 22 Jan 2026 12:18:02 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=144</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Leicester Cathedral Trip ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=154</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">On Tuesday, our Year 5 pupils enjoyed a truly enriching school trip to Leicester Cathedral, where they took part in a spirituality workshop at St Martin&rsquo;s House, followed by a cathedral tour and the opportunity to attend a Eucharist service.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">During the workshop, the children reflected on the importance of taking time each day to feel gratitude, appreciate calm moments and understand peacefulness. At the Cathedral, they learned about its history, including the remarkable story of the recovery and reburial of King Richard III &mdash; with much excitement when they were able to touch his tomb.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">This thoughtful visit supported our Religious Education curriculum, deepening pupils&rsquo; understanding of spirituality, places of worship and the Christian faith, while encouraging reflection and respect for different traditions.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">A special shoutout to all our Year 5 pupils for their exemplary behaviour throughout the day. Their respectfulness and curiosity were praised by leaders and clergy alike &mdash; we couldn&rsquo;t be prouder. A wonderful day, thoroughly enjoyed by all.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/154/list-Cathedral trip 8).png" length="50847" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jan 2026 15:55:25 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=154</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Gold & Silver Success in the Primary Mathematics Challenge ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=143</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">We are absolutely thrilled to share that our amazing Maths Team has been awarded both a Gold Award <em>and</em> Silver Awards in the recent Primary Mathematics Challenge! A huge well done to every member of the team - what a fantastic achievement.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">The Primary Mathematics Challenge is a national competition for Year 5 and 6 pupils across the UK. Last month, ten local primary schools came together for a brilliant morning of mathematical investigations. Each pupil tackled a challenging maths paper with a series of activities designed to put their problem-solving, puzzle-solving, and critical-thinking skills to the test. &nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">A big thank you to Ahead 4 Numbers and Welland Park Academy for hosting, and for making maths so exciting and inspiring for everyone involved.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Well done, Team GBA - you&rsquo;ve made us incredibly proud.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/143/list-Gold Silver in Maths Challenge.png" length="64660" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Thu, 22 Jan 2026 12:10:01 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=143</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Christmas Lunch Menu ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=142</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p>Miquils, our in-house caters, have announced their Christmas Lunch Menu for 2025 &ndash; and it looks&nbsp;<em>tree-mendously</em> delicious! Our kitchen team will be serving up this utterly <em>yule-icious&nbsp;</em>menu<em>&nbsp;on&nbsp;</em><strong>Wednesday&nbsp;17<sup>th</sup> December.&nbsp;</strong>Please book through Arbor by 11am on Friday 5th December, at the usual lunch cost.&nbsp;</p>

<p>To make this even more festive, we have&nbsp;combined it with our Christmas jumper day.&nbsp;Wear a festive jumper with your school uniform for an<em> Elf-solutely brilliant</em>&nbsp;day!</p>

<p>Christmas lunch at GBA is a real treat, where all staff and children come together to celebrate. It&#39;s always a&nbsp;<em>holly-jolly success -&nbsp;yule love it!</em></p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/142/list-Xmas Menu 2025.png" length="35159" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Thu, 27 Nov 2025 11:36:10 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=142</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Odd Socks Day Anti-bullying Week ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=141</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Last week our school was filled with a bright and brilliant mix of odd socks as we joined the Anti-Bullying Alliance for Odd Socks Day, marking the start of Anti-Bullying Week. It&rsquo;s a fun and colourful way to share a powerful message: <em>we are united against bullying</em>.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">This year&rsquo;s theme, &ldquo;Power for Good,&rdquo; encouraged children to recognise the positive influence they each have &mdash; through kindness, through speaking up, and through supporting others. One small action really <em>can</em> make a big difference.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Throughout the week, classes explored what bullying means, how we can take responsibility for our actions, and the ways we can help create kinder, more supportive communities both in and out of school.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">A huge thank you for your enthusiasm, your odd socks, and your generosity &mdash; together, we raised over &pound;70 for the brilliant local charity Harborough Against Bullying. Find out more about this charity here&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hab-antibullying.com/">https://www.hab-antibullying.com/</a></p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/141/list-Odd socks day.png" length="79135" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Thu, 27 Nov 2025 11:05:27 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=141</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ How Did We Do in Switch Off Week? ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=140</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Last week was Switch Off Week at GBA &mdash; a brilliant opportunity to remind ourselves of the small, everyday choices we can make to help our environment by using less energy.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Our Eco Team kicked off the week with a special assembly on Monday, sharing why the week matters and challenging every class to take responsibility for <em>turning off lights, devices and screens</em> when they weren&rsquo;t needed.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Throughout the week, the team carried out energy audits during playtimes and lunchtimes to see which classes were switching off the most. In Friday&rsquo;s Flourish Collective Worship, Class 4 were crowned our Switch Off Week Champions!</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Then came the big finale&hellip;<br />
On Friday afternoon, we held a whole-school Switch Off Challenge &mdash; no laptops, no interactive whiteboards and no lights at all, relying purely on natural light. On a gloomy November afternoon, this meant some creative thinking&hellip; and the children rose to it brilliantly!</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Here&rsquo;s what we got up to:<br />
✨ <strong>Class 1</strong> explored the theme of <em>friendship</em>, reading <em>Lost and Found</em> and taking part in fun, active activities to practise friendship skills.<br />
✨ <strong>Class 2</strong> headed to the hall for a PE and gymnastics session.<br />
✨ <strong>Classes 3 &amp; 4</strong> embraced the outdoors, putting their geography skills to the test by using compasses to develop their understanding of direction.<br />
✨Whilst <strong>Class 6 </strong>managed spelling, marked their homework and practised handwriting &ndash; all within the low light!</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">We hope pupils shared what they learned at home and brought a few new eco-friendly ideas into family life.&nbsp; Small changes really can make a big difference.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm"><img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/289330B1AC698444C8A10CAC6B73B705.png" title="" width="30%" />&nbsp;&nbsp;<img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/AD7F4045686D113E6129CF96B19234ED.png" title="" width="30%" />&nbsp;&nbsp;<img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/BBAA9C797B0914FD96420E32BD6E695C.png" title="" width="30%" /></p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/140/list-Switch Off activities 1).png" length="61816" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Thu, 27 Nov 2025 11:02:10 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=140</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Christmas at Great Bowden Academy ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=139</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">We&rsquo;re excited to share all the festive fun happening at GBA this December! Here&rsquo;s what&rsquo;s coming up:</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">🎅 <strong>Fri 5<sup>th</sup> &nbsp;December &ndash; Santa&rsquo;s Grotto</strong><br />
Our wonderful PTA have once again arranged for Father Christmas to visit the school. This will take place during the school day. A suggested donation to the PTA can be made via <a href="https://wonderful.org/fundraisers/R06Be">https://wonderful.org/fundraisers/R06Be</a>. More details to follow from your PTA class reps.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">🎶 <strong>Sat 6<sup>th</sup> December &ndash; GBA Light Switch-on with GBA Carols on the Green</strong><br />
To help celebrate the Great Bowden village light switch on, Great Bowden Academy pupils have been asked to sing Christmas Carols on the green. &nbsp;Children to arrive outside the <em>Shoulder of Mutton</em> at <strong>5:15pm</strong>, ready to<strong> </strong>sing as part of the Light Switch-on at <strong>5:30pm. </strong>We&rsquo;d love to see lots of families there.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">🌟 <strong>Wed 10<sup>th</sup> &amp; Thurs 11<sup>th</sup> December &ndash; Nativity</strong><br />
Classes 1 &amp; 2 will be performing their Nativity in Great Bowden Church at 1.45pm. This is a ticketed event (initially 2 tickets per family). Additional tickets may be released if space allows. Full details have been sent via the school office email.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">🎭 <strong>Fri 12<sup>th</sup> December &ndash; Panto</strong><br />
Chaplins Mini Panto return to perform <em>Red Riding Hood</em> in a special Christmas assembly. A contribution of &pound;5.50 per child applies, payable via Arbor.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">🍽️👕 <strong>Wed 17<sup>th</sup> December &ndash; Christmas Jumpers Day &amp; Christmas Lunch</strong><br />
Wear a festive jumper with your school uniform! We&rsquo;ve combined this with our Christmas Lunch for the ultimate festive day. Our school canteen will be serving a delicious Christmas menu. Please book through Arbor by 11am on Friday 5th December. See full menu details here.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">🎶 <strong>Thurs 18<sup>th</sup> December &ndash; KS2 Carol Concert</strong><br />
Classes 3, 4 and 5 will perform Christmas Carols in Great Bowden Church at 9.30am. This is a ticketed event (2 tickets per family initially). Additional tickets may be released if space allows.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Plus, don&rsquo;t forget to look out for our GBA stars decorations we designed for the Christmas tree in the Market Harborough square.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm"><img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/EA0AD403A8BE137319C72CA65A238E50.png" title="" width="30%" /></p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/139/list-Christmas 2025.png" length="72049" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Thu, 27 Nov 2025 11:00:07 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=139</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Primary Mathematics Challenge ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=136</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">On Tuesday, our brilliant Maths Team took part in the Primary Mathematics Challenge - an annual national competition for Year 5 and 6 pupils across the UK.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">The challenge is designed to spark enthusiasm, build confidence, and strengthen problem-solving and reasoning skills - and our pupils certainly rose to the challenge.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Children from ten local primary schools joined together for a fantastic morning of mathematical investigations. The activities were fun, stretching, and wonderfully challenging - giving our team the chance to think critically, solve tricky puzzles, and put their arithmetic skills to the test.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Our pupils had a brilliant time (the <em>magic trick at the end</em> was a definite highlight!) and we&rsquo;re so proud of the determination and teamwork they showed throughout.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">We&rsquo;ll receive marks and certificates in the coming weeks from Ahead 4 Numbers - and we&rsquo;ll be sure to update you when they arrive!</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Thank you to Emma Aslett from Ahead 4 Numbers, and Welland Park Academy for kindly hosting once again.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/136/list-Maths Challenge.png" length="59369" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Thu, 27 Nov 2025 10:57:53 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=136</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Thursdays are… Super Scientists Day! ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=137</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Our after-school calendar is officially <em>chock-a-block</em> as we welcome back <strong>Super Scientists</strong> to our Thursday slot this term - always a firm favourite with the children.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Led by experienced science teacher <strong>Chris Esgate-Green</strong>, pupils get hands-on with practical, exciting experiments that spark curiosity and bring science to life. From testing ideas to making discoveries, it&rsquo;s a brilliant mix of fun and learning.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">We were also delighted to welcome back <strong>Kerry from Super Scientists</strong> in assembly recently, where pupils watched some amazing demonstrations &mdash; including a potion that <em>exploded right before their eyes!</em></p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">A huge thank you to the whole Super Scientists team for inspiring our young learners. We can&rsquo;t wait to see what scientific adventures await this term.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm"><img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/0FD620C0DA4FEE5C874CF372F17AE894.png" title="" width="30%" />&nbsp;<img alt="" src="/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/news-story/8C6B2CF0138D4542EBD360ED5699CD9F.png" title="" width="30%" /></p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/137/list-Super Scientists 1).png" length="60169" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Wed, 19 Nov 2025 14:42:32 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=137</guid>
</item><item>	<title><![CDATA[ Football League Update – Year 5/6 Boys ]]></title>
	<link>https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=135</link>	<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Our Year 5 &amp; 6 Boys Football League team were back in action last Tuesday, continuing to show fantastic teamwork, resilience and determination in the next round of league fixtures.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">After an incredible start to the season &mdash; winning all three of their opening games &mdash; the team went into this round full of confidence. They began brilliantly, securing a 1&ndash;0 win in their first match.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">They faced a very strong side in their second game and battled hard throughout. In the final match, the boys were level right up until the last moments, only to concede with the final kick of the game. Despite the heartbreak, they showed maturity, sportsmanship and real team spirit.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">With 4 wins from 6 games, the team remain in a <em>strong league position</em> heading into the final round of fixtures. We&rsquo;re so proud of the effort, attitude and quality of football they continue to show.</p>

<p style="margin-left:0cm; margin-right:0cm">Keep it going, Team GBA &mdash; you&rsquo;ve got this!</p>
]]></description>
	<enclosure url="https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/_site/data/images/news/135/list-Copy of Football Success.png" length="70737" type="image/png" />
	<pubDate>Wed, 19 Nov 2025 14:37:11 GMT</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.greatbowden.leics.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&amp;nid=1&amp;storyid=135</guid>
</item>
	</channel>
</rss>