Gordano School is proud to announce the opening of its brand-new Food Preparation and Nutrition room, a modern and inclusive space designed to inspire the next generation of culinary talent. This exciting development marks a significant step forward in the school’s commitment to providing high-quality, hands-on learning experiences for all students.
Josh Williams, Graphics & Reprographics Technician at Gordano School, and his wife Aimee have once again lent their artistic talents to a good cause, designing and painting a Gromit sculpture named ‘Pinewoof’ as part of The Grand Appeal – for the Bristol Children’s Hospital Charity.
The couple created the imaginative piece in their home studio in Weston-super-Mare. Commissioned by the iconic Pinewood Studios, their design paid tribute to decades of cinematic history. The sculpture was also proudly sponsored by Bristol City Council’s Fostering Service.
Speaking about the project, Josh and Aimee said:
"We were given a brief by Pinewood Studios to capture the magic that happens there and to show subtle hints to the famous films and shows that have been made there over the years. It was lots of fun, especially getting to hide dinosaurs, aliens and spies all in one sculpture! Pinewoof is definitely the most detailed sculpture we have done for The Grand Appeal, and we spent hundreds of hours getting him just right! The most common response we got about Pinewoof was about how long people spent looking at the details. People especially liked all the hidden elements."
‘Pinewoof’ went under the hammer for an incredible £20,000, contributing to the £2 million total raised through the trail’s charity auction. This marks the couple’s continued commitment to The Grand Appeal, having supported the charity since 2015.
Over the years, they’ve helped design four sculptures across three public art trails, collectively raising an impressive £59,500.
The Grand Appeal funds vital services, equipment, and research at Bristol Children’s Hospital, making a real difference for young patients and their families.
To support The Grand Appeal, visit: www.grandappeal.org.uk/donate
Term 1 has been full of energy, creativity, and community spirit for the Music department at Gordano School. Here's a look at some of the highlights:
This summer, a group of 15 Gordano Sixth Form students – Ellis A, Ben B, Josephine B, Maisie B, Archie B, Emma B, Jack D, Tessa H, Harry L, Clara M, Billy M, Ella M, Yasmine P, Amber S and Tom W – took part in an extraordinary overseas expedition with World Challenge, accompanied by Ms Oakman (Head of Outdoor Education) and Mr Pugh (Head of Geography).
World Challenge describes its expeditions as “transformative school expeditions and educational school trips that empower students, enrich communities, and create lasting global impact” – and our students’ experience lived up to every word.
Over the course of their journey through Mozambique, South Africa and Eswatini, the team took part in a packed and meaningful programme of adventure, conservation, and cultural exchange:
This was not simply a trip abroad, but a journey of growth. The challenges faced – from navigating new environments to taking responsibility for cooking, budgeting, and leading activities – pushed our students outside their comfort zones and gave them the confidence, resilience, and leadership skills that will last a lifetime.
One student said: ‘Meeting students in Eswatini was amazing. We learned so much from each other. Even though our lives are so different, we connected through shared experiences and laughter.’
Speaking on their return, staff reflected on the immense pride they felt watching Gordano students rise to each challenge with enthusiasm, maturity, and teamwork.
Headteacher Ms Blundell said: ‘We are immensely proud of these students for the way they represented our school and embraced this unique opportunity. Their journey exemplifies the very best of what it means to be a Gordano student – curious, compassionate, and courageous.’
We’re inviting artwork and photography entries that celebrate the Christmas spirit and show a clear connection to Portishead.
Gordano School has hosted its annual Careers Convention, welcoming hundreds of students and parents for an evening dedicated to exploring future opportunities.
Gordano School’s Christian Union brought a little extra joy to the school community with their hugely popular lunchtime cake sale.
The GoShine Sports Centre and Facilities at Gordano School in Portishead isn’t just for students – it’s a fantastic community facility available for everyone aged 16+. Go-Shine.uk
It offers:
Affordable Gym Memberships – Starting at just £15/month, with no joining fee or contract.
Unlimited Fitness Classes – Including Yoga, Pilates, Zumba, Indoor Cycling, Boxing Fitness, Dance Fitness, and Body Conditioning
Flexible Access – Pay-as-you-go classes for casual users
Sports Facilities for Hire – Badminton, squash, pickleball, table tennis, a full-size floodlit astro pitch, and a 3G 5-a-side court all for hire.
📅 Opening Hours:
The centre is managed by GoShine in partnership with Gordano School, ensuring high-quality community engagement and expanding offerings such as holiday clubs and local football training through Portishead Town FC.
You can explore more or book online at GoShine’s official website. Go-Shine.uk
It's fitness made simple, flexible, and local. Ready to shine?
Gordano School is celebrating the outstanding commitment of its Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) participants, who between April 2024 and March 2025 dedicated an incredible 4,537 hours to volunteering in the local community. The Duke of Edinburgh Award has calculated the social value of these hours at more than £29,000 – a figure that highlights the significant contribution made by our young people.
From working in charity shops, community cafés, and libraries to supporting local sports clubs, Scouting and Girl Guiding groups, and school activities, Gordano students have given their time generously to help others. Their volunteering not only strengthens community life but also helps students develop valuable skills and confidence for the future.
Rose M in Year 11 who completed her Silver award last year said: “I really enjoyed volunteering with the younger girls’ football team because it was fun getting to know them and building good relationships while helping with their football.”
“We are really proud of our students for what they do to give back to their local community,” said Mrs Allen, Deputy Lead for Outdoor Education at Gordano School. “These placements are also great work experience for our students and help them to build confidence and develop the skills they need to secure jobs in the future. A huge thank you to all the local organisations that offer placements and support our young people.”
One organisation to benefit from student volunteering is Turn the Tide Portishead, a local community group dedicated to keeping the town’s beaches, open spaces and streets clean. They said: "Local community group Turn The Tide Portishead are delighted to have the help of Gordano students completing their Bronze, Silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh awards. Since 2020, 130 students have completed their voluntary hours and joined us on our monthly Portishead Big Cleans as well as carrying out their own litter picks around the town, working with us in our mission to keep Portishead’s beaches, open spaces and streets clean and tidy. Since September 2020, the students have collected 1,771 bags of litter from over 90 locations in Portishead. Many of our students express a new awareness of the effect littering has on both our local and wider environments and a desire to spread the word among their peers and carry on the good work."
Other local organisations – including the Beacon Hub, Portishead Youth Centre, and Portishead Library – have also provided opportunities for students to gain experience and make a difference.
Nigel Osmond of Portishead Football Club said: “We have always been proud to support pupils from Gordano School in their pursuit of the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Their commitment and enthusiasm not only contribute to their own personal growth, but also bring real benefits to our club. Our coaches value the energy and dedication these pupils bring, and we’ve been fortunate to see some of them go on to become talented future coaches within our team.”
The Duke of Edinburgh Award has praised the achievements of Gordano’s participants, saying:
“We are immensely proud of the dedication, effort and achievement of young people making an impact in their community.”
As the school launches its 2025/26 Duke of Edinburgh programme, many new students are seeking volunteering placements. Gordano would like to extend heartfelt thanks to all the community groups, charities and businesses that continue to support young people on their Duke of Edinburgh journey.
Gordano School is delighted to invite all parents and carers of current and future pupils to An Evening of SEND, taking place on 22 October from 5:30pm – 7:30pm at Gordano School, St Mary’s Road, Portishead, BS20 7QR.
This special event will provide valuable information, guidance and resources for families of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) through access to outside agencies. There is no need to book – simply come along.
The evening will feature a wide range of exhibitors and information stands covering key areas such as:
We are delighted to welcome representatives from North Somerset Council, NHS Talking Therapies, Portishead Youth Centre, Wellspring Counselling, JHF Youth Charity, Equine Reflections, and many other local organisations who provide invaluable support to young people and families.
At Gordano, we are proud of our strong SEND provision, designed to ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive. Our experienced SEND team works closely with families and professionals to create tailored support, from high-quality classroom teaching to personalised interventions. With dedicated spaces and a strong ethos of inclusion across the school, we are committed to meeting a wide range of needs in a nurturing environment.
This Open Evening is the perfect opportunity to:
We warmly welcome all parents and carers who would like to access SEND support and information, whether your child already attends our school or may join us in the future.
Event Details
Date: 22 October 2024
Time: 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Venue: Gordano School, St Mary’s Road, Portishead, BS20 7QR
No booking required – just turn up!
For more information about Gordano School's SEND provision, please visit: www.gordanoschool.org.uk/our-school/send
Gordano School welcomed a record number of prospective students and their families to its Open Evening this year.
Visitors enjoyed live music, touring classrooms and specialist facilities across all departments, speaking with staff and students, and sampling food prepared by the school’s catering team. Tours were led by Gordano students themselves, who shared their own experiences of school life and gave families an insight into the opportunities on offer. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, reflecting the vibrant community that Gordano is proud to foster.
Presentations from the Headteacher and current students were a highlight of the evening, giving families a clear sense of Gordano’s ethos, values and everyday experiences. The combination of leadership vision and authentic student voices gave prospective families a real insight into what makes the school unique. Ms Blundell shared how Gordano balances personal growth with academic success, ensuring that every student enjoys their time at school.
“This is an exciting time to join Gordano,” said Ms Blundell. “We continue to enhance our facilities and celebrate strong academic results. But above all, our ethos is centred on developing the whole person – confident, curious and compassionate young people who are ready to thrive beyond school.”
One parent shared their appreciation:
“To all staff, support staff and catering department – thank you so much for a really enjoyable Open Day. It was lovely to tour all the departments and chat to teachers and taste the food on offer. We do appreciate the extra time and effort that went into putting it on.”
While proud of its strong record of success at GCSE and A Level, Gordano offers a rich experience in and beyond the classroom. Students join a warm and ambitious community, supported by outstanding pastoral care through six House communities. From the Duke of Edinburgh Award to creative arts, sport, debating, outdoor learning, and an unrivalled Trips and Activities Week, Gordano’s wide-ranging opportunities help students grow in resilience, leadership and confidence.
Recognised as an ‘Area of Excellence’ for Inclusion, Gordano ensures smooth transitions into secondary school and Sixth Form, with tailored support for every child, including those with SEND.
Families who were unable to attend the Open Evening – or who would like another opportunity to visit – are warmly invited to Gordano’s Open Morning on Friday 3rd October at 9:45am.
At Gordano, the values are clear: Dream big. Do your best. Give back. Families at the Open Evening experienced first-hand what makes the school such a vibrant and opportunity-rich place to learn and grow.
We’re excited to announce the launch of a brand-new Boxing Class, held every Monday at 6pm at the Go Shine Sports Centre, Gordano School!
This high-energy class is designed to boost fitness, improve strength, and sharpen coordination – all while having fun in a friendly and motivating environment.
✅ FREE for all GoShine members – included in your unlimited gym and exercise class membership
✅ Pay as you go available – only £7 per session if you’re not a member
GoShine Membership
Memberships are available to anyone aged 16+ and there’s also a special GoLSP membership exclusively for students (16+) and staff at any of the Lighthouse Schools Partnership (LSP) schools which gives unlimited use of the fitness suite and all classes for just £15.00 per month.
At Go Shine, things are kept simple:
Boxing joins the already packed timetable of classes, including Pilates, Yoga, Dance Fitness, Body Conditioning, and more. There’s something for everyone, whatever your fitness goals.
Come and give it a go – your first punch is waiting!
