Year 10 Pupils Enjoy Sleepover at Dartmouth Academy to Fund Cambodia Trip  Year 10 pupils at Dartmouth Academy had an exciting overnight stay at school this term as part of their fundraising efforts for an upcoming expedition to Cambodia in July 2027.  The group spent the evening taking part in fun activities, including making their own pizzas, games, and social events, all while learning teamwork and leadership skills.  The sleepover is part of the school’s ongoing efforts to raise funds for international trips. Dartmouth Academy is no stranger to global adventures, with students having recently returned from an unforgettable trip to Borneo over the summer.  The school has more fundraising events planned, including fetes, fairs, sponsored walks, and bingo nights, all designed to support the Cambodia trip and ensure the pupils can have a memorable and transformative experience abroad.  Nicola Perrott, Assistant Principal at Dartmouth Academy, said:  “Our Year 10s had a fantastic time at the sleepover, enjoying both the fun and the sense of purpose behind it. Fundraising for such an incredible opportunity helps build not just excitement for the trip but also life skills in planning, collaboration, and community spirit.”  Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West said:  “It’s fantastic to see our students so engaged in fundraising for an international experience. Trips like these broaden horizons, inspire curiosity, and develop skills that will stay with them for life. The enthusiasm and creativity shown at the sleepover is a real testament to Dartmouth Academy’s commitment to providing transformative opportunities.”

Dartmouth Art Pupils Exhibit to Support St Clement’s Church  Year 10 Art and Design pupils at Dartmouth Academy showcased their creativity at an art exhibition held in support of the concert at St Clement’s Church this term.  The artworks on display were inspired by each pupil’s personal choice of music, allowing them to explore the relationship between sound and visual expression.  This term, Dartmouth pupils have been focusing on visualising text and using colour to convey emotion and narrative. Through their studies, they are learning how artists communicate feeling, atmosphere, and storytelling through abstract forms, mark-making, and deliberate colour choices.  As part of their research, pupils examined the work of renowned artists Anthony Frost and Wassily Kandinsky, both known for using colour and abstraction to convey energy, mood, and emotion. These examples helped pupils understand how visual art can express ideas and feelings that are difficult to capture through imagery alone.  Pupils also deconstructed the lyrics of songs by Louis Dunford, including The Boy Who Could Fly and Ballad of Benjamin. Ballad of Benjamin, which tells the real-life story of Ben Kinsella, sparked thoughtful and sensitive discussions in class about boys’ mental health, depression, and knife crime. These conversations have encouraged empathy, reflection, and emotional literacy among pupils.  As part of this exciting project, the school hopes to invite Louis Dunford to visit and speak to pupils about his creative process and the themes within his work.  Nicola Perrott, Assistant Principal at Dartmouth Academy, said:  "This project demonstrates the power of community partnerships and creative learning. By connecting music, art, and important social issues, our pupils not only develop their artistic skills but also build empathy and awareness about challenges faced by young people today."  Matthew Shanks, CEO at Education South West said:  "We are proud to see our students using art to express complex emotions and engage with real-world stories. Projects like this encourage reflection, discussion, and emotional growth, showing how education can extend beyond the classroom while encouraging creativity and social responsibility."

Young Explorers Get a Taste of Farm Life at Abbrook Farm  Children from HDC Nursery had an exciting opportunity to explore the outdoors and learn about farming this term during a series of visits to Abbrook Farm which belongs to Teign School, part of Education South West.  The initiative came about through a collaboration between the school, the nursery and Abbrook Farm. Over several weeks, children of all ages, from babies to preschoolers, had the chance to meet farm animals, explore the grounds, and learn about growing food.  The farm hopes to involve Year 10 land-based studies students from Teign School in future visits, offering further opportunities for intergenerational learning and community engagement.  HDC Nursery and Teign School hope that this partnership will continue to grow, offering regular visits that combine hands-on experiences with educational learning about nature, agriculture, and sustainability.  Lucie Wagner, Head of School at Teign School, said: "Working closely with local organisations like Abbrook Farm is so valuable. They allow us to provide unique learning experiences while strengthening relationships between the school, families, and local businesses."  Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said:  "Partnerships like this bring education to life. By connecting nurseries with local resources such as Abbrook Farm, we provide children with meaningful experiences that develop both knowledge and a love for learning outside the classroom."

Devon Resource Futures Celebrates Young Environmental Leaders at Blackawton Primary School  Blackawton Primary School has been recognised for its outstanding commitment to recycling and sustainability.  Devon Resource Futures have highlighted the school’s innovative environmental initiatives during a special photoshoot, showcasing the efforts of pupils and staff who are leading the way in creating a greener future.  Over the past year, Blackawton Primary has transformed its approach to waste management. Lunchtime food scraps, once destined for landfill, are now composted to create nutrient-rich soil for the school gardens, giving pupils hands-on experience of the full food-to-soil cycle. The school has also implemented extensive dry recycling practices. Pupils have become adept at sorting paper, cardboard, and plastic into clearly labelled stations, ensuring maximum reuse of materials. These initiatives have significantly reduced the school’s reliance on Energy-from-Waste plants, cutting carbon emissions and fostering environmental responsibility among students.  The recent photoshoot generated excitement among the children, who felt celebrated for their efforts. Children at Blackawton Primary are gaining not only practical environmental skills but also a sense of pride in contributing to a cleaner, greener planet.  Liam Fielding, Headteacher at Blackawton Primary School, said:  "We are incredibly proud of our pupils and staff. Their enthusiasm and commitment to sustainability show that even small actions can have a big impact. Being recognised across Devon is a wonderful celebration of their hard work."  Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said:  "This recognition is about more than recycling, it’s about nurturing the next generation of environmental leaders. We hope Blackawton inspires other schools across Devon to take similar steps towards sustainability."

Kingsbridge Students Gear Up for Safer Driving  Students at Kingsbridge Community College have taken part in a road safety workshop this month run by Learn2Live, an organisation which works to highlight the dangers young drivers face.   Representatives from Learn2Live came along to the college to give a presentation. The talk included expert speakers from Local Authority Road Safety Teams, Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service, Devon and Cornwall Police, South West Ambulance, and Devon Air Ambulance.  Over the past five years young drivers in Devon and Cornwall have been involved in over 4,800 collisions, this represents 25% of all collisions despite young drivers only representing around 7% of licence holders. To help address this, the workshop was specifically designed to get young people thinking about road safety and to help them better appreciate specific dangers and consequences when on the roads.  Attendees fed back that they gained useful, practical insights into how their behaviour when driving can impact not only their safety but the safety of others.  Tina Graham, Principal at Kingsbridge Community College, said: "Being a rural college, many of our students are on the road regularly, often driving long distances. This workshop was a vital opportunity for them to understand the real risks and make safer choices behind the wheel."  Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said: "With so many young drivers involved in collisions, it’s crucial we equip our students with practical knowledge. Road safety isn’t just about rules; it’s about protecting lives, and initiatives like this make a real difference."

CareYourWay Becomes Official Friend of Kingsbridge Community College  Kingsbridge Community College is pleased to share that CareYourWay, one of South Devon’s top rated home care providers, is now an official ‘friend’ of the college. The partnership is already providing KCC students with valuable insights into careers in health and social care.  Founded over 20 years ago by Sarah and Manuel Sabater in East Allington, CareYourWay began after the couple recognised the need for compassionate, high quality home care. Their model and service that is rated ‘Outstanding’ with the Care Quality Commission was then in 2021 launched into franchise opportunities across the UK, led by former KCC students Yasmine and Jonathan Sabater. Jonathan, at just 19 years old, became the youngest franchisor in the country. Today, CareYourWay operates 13 franchise offices across the nation, delivering award-winning, person-centred care.  In addition to Yasmine and Jonathan, former KCC students Giles Sabater and Anna Potgieter hold key leadership roles at CareYourWay, driving the business’s national expansion and continuing its commitment to local communities.  As a ‘friend’ of KCC, the CareYourWay team are engaging directly with current students, sharing their experiences and providing practical guidance on post-college pathways. They are also supporting careers activities, offering insights into apprenticeships, employment opportunities, and running workshops to inspire the next generation.  CareYourWay’s achievements have been widely recognised; being named as part of the ‘Best in Franchising’ for 2025, as well as winning one of the highest-regarded awards for the whole of the UK franchising sector at the BFA HSBC British Franchise Awards: ‘Emerging Franchisor of the Year’. In addition, the brand has proudly and consistently been ranked among the Top 20 Home Care Groups in the UK by Homecare.co.uk for the last three years, reflecting the company’s dedication to high-quality, client-centred care.  Through this partnership, KCC students will gain first-hand insight into a growing sector, learn about the variety of career routes available, and benefit from mentorship from experienced professionals who were once in their shoes.  Tina Graham, Principal at Kingsbridge Community College, said:  “Having CareYourWay as a ‘friend’ of the college is a fantastic opportunity for our students. Their team’s journey from KCC students to national business leaders demonstrates the value of ambition, hard work, and community focus. We so appreciate the knowledge and support they are providing to our students.”  Anna Potgieter, Head of Brand & Marketing at CareYourWay, added: “We are thrilled to give back to the college that shaped our early journeys. Meeting students, sharing real experiences, and providing guidance on careers in care is a way for us to inspire and support the next generation.”

Teign School Running Club Featured in TES Teign School is excited to share that their student running club has been featured in TES. The article highlights how a simple idea grew into something far bigger, with positive effects on wellbeing, health, confidence and school culture. The running club began as a small initiative designed to give students and staff an active break in the week. It has since become one of the most talked about parts of school life. The TES feature explores how shared movement and time outdoors have helped students re energise, build resilience and find joy in physical activity. Staff have also benefited from taking part and connecting with students in a relaxed and supportive setting. We are proud to see this celebrated nationally and invite you to read the article in full.Read the full TES piece here: https://www.tes.com/magazine/analysis/secondary/how-school-running-club-proved-success

Dartmouth Pupils Help Shape National Digital Mental Health Resource  Pupils from Dartmouth Academy have continued their important work this month with the University of Exeter Medical School as part of the Young Persons Advisory Group.  The group has been collaborating with researchers for several years, sharing their insights to help shape projects aimed at improving young people’s health and wellbeing.  This term, the school welcomed Helena Traill, who is leading a national project to create a digital mental health resource for young people. Helena and her colleague Camilla invited the group to contribute ideas on the design and content of the new platform, ensuring it reflects the voices and experiences of young people across the country.  During the interactive session, students used art supplies to explore creative concepts and share their thoughts on how digital tools can best support mental health and wellbeing.  The Young Persons Advisory Group at Dartmouth Academy continues to make a real impact, giving students a platform to influence research and innovation that benefits their generation and beyond.  Nicola Perrott, Assistant  Principal at Dartmouth Academy, said:  “It’s fantastic to see our students playing an active role in shaping national projects that truly matter to young people. Their creativity, honesty, and insight help ensure that resources like this are meaningful, inclusive, and effective.”  Matthew Shanks, CEO at Education South West said:  “This collaboration shows the power of student voice in real world research. By working alongside the University of Exeter, our young people are helping to create resources that will make a genuine difference to the mental health and wellbeing of others. It’s inspiring to see their ideas being valued at a national level.”

Kingsbridge Primary Sparks a Love of Books with New Family Storytime Initiative  The community hub at Kingsbridge Primary School has launched an exciting new initiative to inspire a love of reading among local families.  Led by assistant headteacher Polly Gallagher, weekly Storytime Sessions are now running in partnership with The MotherBorn Collective and are designed to help parents and carers discover the magic of reading with their children from an early age.  The first session took place at the start of November and was a huge success, featuring interactive storytelling, puppets, props, and plenty of imagination. Toddlers and their families were captivated as stories were brought vividly to life, creating an atmosphere of fun, laughter, and learning.  Research consistently shows that children who are read to regularly develop stronger literacy skills and a lifelong love of learning. Through the new sessions the hub aims to support families across the area to experience these benefits first-hand.  Polly Gallagher, Assistant Headteacher at Kingsbridge Primary School, said:  “Reading together from an early age has such a powerful impact on a child’s development, it builds language, imagination, and emotional connection. These sessions are about more than just storytime; they’re about helping families make reading a fun part of everyday life.”  Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West said:  “This is a wonderful initiative that truly reflects the community spirit of our schools. By sharing their expertise, Kingsbridge Primary is helping to give every child the best possible start in life through the joy of reading.”

Babcock International Inspires Next Generation of Engineers at South Devon UTC  South Devon UTC has welcomed the ‘Emerging Talent External Engagement Team’ from Babcock International to present to all Year 10 engineering students this term.  During the visit, students learned in detail about Babcock’s history, operations, and the exciting work experience and apprenticeship opportunities available. The session encouraged active participation, with many students asking questions and several staying behind to speak one-on-one with the team and two current Babcock apprentices.  This engagement has proven highly successful in the past. Last year, two UTC students secured places on Babcock’s highly competitive work experience programme, out of only 40 spots available across the South West. One of these students is now preparing to apply for an apprenticeship after completing Year 11.  The session provided students with valuable insights into careers in engineering and highlighted the strong links between South Devon UTC and leading industry partners.  Babcock is an international defence company providing support and product solutions to enhance their customers’ defence capabilities and critical assets.  Claire Plumb, Headteacher at South Devon UTC, said:  “Visits like this are invaluable for our students. Meeting industry professionals and hearing about real-world engineering opportunities opens their eyes to the exciting paths available after school. We’re proud of the engagement shown by our Year 10s and look forward to seeing some of them follow in these footsteps.”  Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said:  “This session highlights the strength of our links with local and national employers. Giving students the chance to interact directly with Babcock apprentices and staff inspires ambition and shows them the possibilities that come from combining technical skill with dedication and curiosity.”