Wynstream Primary School Celebrates Governor’s Recognition at Buckingham Palace Garden Party    Wynstream Primary School is delighted to celebrate the recognition of Carol Willis, a long-standing member of its school community, who was recently invited to attend a Buckingham Palace Garden Party in acknowledgement of her exceptional contribution to public service, education, and community leadership.  Carol, alongside her husband Trevor, attended the prestigious event, which brings together individuals from across the country who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to their communities. The invitation reflects her decades of commitment to Wynstream Primary School, where she continues to serve as a valued governor and volunteer.  After 38 years of dedicated service at Wynstream Primary School, Carol recently retired, leaving behind an exceptional legacy. What began as a parent helper role quickly grew into a lifelong career in education, with Carol becoming one of the first Higher Level Teaching Assistants and then became a trusted, highly skilled teacher.  Known for her warmth, patience and unwavering commitment to children, Carol has made a lasting impact, particularly supporting pupils with the most complex needs and helping to create calm, nurturing environments where they can thrive. She also played a key role in developing the school’s music hub, extending opportunities for children across the wider community.  The Buckingham Palace Garden Party celebrates individuals who have made a significant difference in their communities, recognising excellence in public service, education and voluntary work across the UK.  Elise Redman, Headteacher at Wynstream Primary School, said:  “We are incredibly proud of Carol and this very well-deserved recognition. Her commitment to Wynstream over so many years, both as a teacher, governor and volunteer, has had a lasting and positive impact on our school community. This honour reflects everything she has given to support our children and families.”

South Devon UTC Student Completes Final Ten Tors challenge After Four-Year Achievement Journey  South Devon UTC is proud to celebrate the outstanding achievement of one of its students, Ed Taplin, who has successfully completed the Ten Tors 55-mile event, marking the culmination of a remarkable four-year journey.  Ed’s participation in the challenging Ten Tors expedition has seen him cover more than 180 miles in total, completing all three official distances of the event while developing resilience, teamwork, and leadership skills. Over the past four years, Ed’s Ten Tors journey includes:  2023 (age 14): Completed the 35-mile event with Teign School in a finish time of 15:50 2024 (age 15): Completed the 45-mile event with Teign School in a finish time of 16:10 2025 (age 16): Volunteered in training support before stepping in to complete a second 45-mile team, improving his time to 10:38 2026: Completed the 55-mile event with Sea Moor Explore in a finish time of 14:13  Throughout this period, Ed has trained and walked alongside Teign School and Sea Moor Explore while studying at South Devon UTC, balancing academic commitments with one of the UK’s most demanding outdoor challenges. Staff at South Devon UTC have praised Ed’s dedication and perseverance over the course of his Ten Tors journey, highlighting the wider value of such experiences in developing confident and capable young people.  The Ten Tors challenge is widely recognised as one of the UK’s most demanding youth expeditions, testing navigation, endurance, and teamwork across Dartmoor’s challenging terrain.  Claire Plumb, Headteacher at South Devon UTC, said:  “We are incredibly proud of Ed’s achievement in completing the Ten Tors 55-mile challenge, which represents the culmination of four years of dedication, resilience, and personal growth. His commitment to training, teamwork, and perseverance across increasingly demanding expeditions is exceptional.  Experiences like Ten Tors develop far more than physical endurance. They build confidence, leadership, and determination, all of which are qualities we value highly at South Devon UTC. Ed’s journey is a brilliant example of what can be achieved through consistency, hard work, and a willingness to take on a challenge.”  Ed Taplin said:  “By never giving up when facing these events, repeatedly attempting to understand the complexity of the moorland, and constantly adapting to the ever-changing weather, I have found these challenges in no way easy. However, by consistently working together with new people, I found that from completing the Ten Tors, I have been able to walk away with key skills such as teamwork, leadership, commitment, and resilience. These multiple events, and many training experiences have truly shaped the person I am today.”

Dartmouth Academy Pupils Earn Sailing Certificates After 102-Mile Ocean Adventure  Pupils at Dartmouth Academy have returned from an unforgettable sailing expedition after completing a 102-mile voyage aboard Prolific with the Ocean Youth Trust.  Fifteen year 9 students embarked on the adventure taking part in an intensive week of sail training despite challenging weather conditions across the Solent. During the voyage, pupils learned essential sailing skills including steering, winch handling, passage planning and radio communication, while navigating strong winds of up to 33 knots.  The group travelled from Southampton to Cowes, Gosport and Yarmouth, experiencing overnight stays on board and taking responsibility for key elements of the journey. The trip culminated in a night pilotage exercise back to Southampton, where pupils safely navigated busy shipping routes and challenging conditions.  Throughout the week, students demonstrated teamwork and determination, with every participant successfully achieving their RYA Start Yachting certificate. For many pupils, the expedition marked their first time away from home and outside Devon, making the achievement even more significant.  The school has thanked Ocean Youth Trust for delivering the experience and the Royal Dart Youth Sailing Trust (RDYST) for fully funding the expedition, enabling pupils to access opportunities they may otherwise never have experienced.  Dartmouth Academy continues to work closely with RDYST to provide sailing and water-based activities that broaden horizons, build confidence and enrich the lives of pupils across the school.  Paul Girardot, Principal at Dartmouth Academy, said:  “This voyage was an incredible opportunity for our pupils to develop confidence, independence and teamwork in a completely new environment. They showed tremendous courage and maturity throughout the week, particularly in such challenging sailing conditions, and we are immensely proud of everything they achieved.”  Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West said:  “Experiences like this can have a lasting impact on young people. Beyond the sailing skills, our pupils developed resilience, communication and self-belief while stepping far outside their comfort zones. We are extremely grateful to Ocean Youth Trust and RDYST for helping to make such transformational opportunities possible for our students.”

Roger King honoured for 50 years of service to Ten Tors Ten Tors has recognised one of its most dedicated volunteers, Roger King, with a Tungsten Award for an extraordinary 50 years of service supporting young people taking part in the event and its training programmes. Roger first began training Ten Tors teams in 1973 while working at Westlands School in Torquay. In the early 1980s he moved to Kingsbridge Community College, where he continued to lead Ten Tors training until his retirement. Far from stepping back, Roger has continued to support both Kingsbridge Community College and Horizons Youth Centre, returning year after year to help prepare teams for the demanding Dartmoor challenge. Over five decades, Roger has been involved in every Ten Tors event or training cycle since 1973, serving in a range of roles including team manager, Environmental Compliance Monitor, and more recently as a checkpoint marshal. In each role, he has shared his extensive knowledge of Dartmoor, navigation, and outdoor safety with generations of young people. His impact goes far beyond logistics and training. Roger has helped to inspire confidence, resilience and a lifelong love of the outdoors in thousands of students. His calm guidance, deep experience and ongoing commitment have made him a familiar and highly respected figure within the Ten Tors community. Now 79, Roger’s dedication continues to be felt across every training season, as he supports staff and students with the same enthusiasm he brought to the role more than half a century ago. Speaking at the award presentation, colleagues highlighted the lasting legacy of his work and the countless young people who have benefited from his time, patience and encouragement. The Tungsten Award recognises exceptional long-term commitment to Ten Tors, and Roger’s 50 years of service represents one of the most remarkable contributions in the event’s history.

Christow Primary School Celebrates Outstanding Fundraising Success at Colour Run Event   Christow Primary School is celebrating the outstanding success of its recent Colour Run event, which brought together pupils, staff, families and members of the local community for a vibrant day of fun and fundraising.  The exciting event, organised by the school’s pupil-led school council with support from the PTFA, raised an impressive £3,770.20, with additional contributions still expected through Gift Aid.  A Colour Run is a non-competitive event where participants walk, jog or run around a course while being showered with brightly coloured powder along the route. Designed to focus on participation, enjoyment and inclusivity, the event concluded with a celebratory colour throw, creating a memorable experience for everyone involved.  Demonstrating their compassion and community spirit, members of the school council chose to donate £1,000 of the funds raised to Little Valley Animal Shelter to support its ongoing work caring for vulnerable animals in need.  The remaining funds will support the PTFA in providing enriching opportunities, activities and experiences for pupils across the school. Christow Primary School would like to thank everyone who took part, donated and supported the event.   Ms Amy Yeo, Headteacher at Christow Primary School said:  “We are incredibly proud of our pupils for organising such a joyful and successful event. The colour run truly captured the spirit of our school community, bringing everyone together while raising an amazing amount for both the school and a cause close to the children’s hearts. It was a fantastic example of teamwork, creativity and compassion in action.”   Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West said:  “This is a wonderful achievement by Christow Primary School. Events like this show the power of pupil leadership and community collaboration, while also supporting valuable local charities such as Little Valley Animal Shelter. The enthusiasm and generosity shown by everyone involved is truly inspiring.”   

Blackawton Primary School Hosts Inter‑Schools Cross Country Event  Pupils from Education South West (ESW) primary schools came together at Blackawton Primary School recently for the ESW cross country series. The event brought together enthusiastic young runners from across the community, all eager to test their endurance, determination and competitive spirit.  Taking place around the village, the route demanded focus and resilience. Uneven ground, varied terrain and tough sections pushed every participant to dig deep and they rose to the challenge with impressive confidence.  The boys’ race delivered a gripping contest, with Rowan (East Allington) securing first place after a composed and determined run. Close behind were strong competitors from Blackawton, East Allington and Stoke Fleming.  In the girls’ race, Lottie (Blackawton) claimed a superb victory, running with confidence and extending her lead throughout the course. Two talented runners from East Allington followed closely, taking second and third place with impressive performances.  While the top finishers shone, the event celebrated far more than podium places. Every child who took part demonstrated effort and a willingness to challenge themselves.  The atmosphere was electric throughout, with staff, families and pupils lining the course to cheer on the runners. This strong sense of community spirit played a vital role in motivating the children and creating a memorable experience for all involved.  Liam Fielding, Headteacher at Blackawton Primary School, said:  “The resilience and sportsmanship shown by every runner was truly inspiring. Events like this remind us how powerful sport can be in building confidence and community.”  Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said:  “We are incredibly proud of every participant. The cross country series gives children the chance to grow, compete and celebrate success together  and this event captured that perfectly.”

Teign Students Triumph at Ten Tors After Months of Training  Students from Teign School are celebrating after successfully completing this year’s Ten Tors challenge following months of dedicated training, preparation and teamwork.  The annual event, held on Dartmoor, saw students take on the demanding endurance challenge alongside thousands of young people from across the South West. After setting off earlier this weekend, every member of the Teign team crossed the finish line safely, supported throughout by staff, volunteers and former colleagues who returned specially to support the group.  Particularly inspiring were three Year 11 students who balanced the challenge with their GCSE commitments, rejoining the team shortly after sitting an exam in order to complete the expedition alongside their peers. Throughout the training process and the event itself, students demonstrated determination and teamwork while navigating the physical and mental demands of the challenge.  The school also paid tribute to the volunteers and staff members who supported the expedition, including Mr Bere, who returned to support the team throughout the weekend.  Ten Tors remains one of the UK’s most respected youth challenges, encouraging teamwork, navigation skills and perseverance in the unique environment of Dartmoor National Park.  Lucie Wagner, Headteacher at Teign School, said:  “We are incredibly proud of every student who took part in Ten Tors this year. The commitment they have shown over many months of training has been exceptional, and to see every participant cross the finish line safely was a wonderful moment for the whole school community.”  Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said:  “Ten Tors is about far more than endurance. It develops confidence, character, leadership and resilience in young people, and our students represented the school brilliantly throughout the challenge. We are immensely proud of their achievement and grateful to all the staff and volunteers who made the experience possible.”

Seeing behaviour as communication  At a recent Tes conference on behaviour, Education South West’s CEO, Matthew Shanks, took part in a panel discussion that highlighted just how complex, and often divisive, the topic can be. At ESW, behaviour is not seen in isolation or as a checklist of rules to enforce. It is understood as a form of communication, shaped by a young person’s experiences, needs, and their stage of development. High expectations sit at the heart of our approach, but they are balanced with a deep understanding that children are still learning how to navigate the world. The role of adults in our schools is to guide, support and model the behaviours we expect to see. Calm, respectful staff help create calm, respectful schools. Our trust-wide framework is based on three clear principles: ready, respectful, safe. In essence these are the only rules, and everyone follows them including the adults - ready to learn in a mutually respectful environment in which we keep ourselves and each other safe. This simple language helps everyone in our school communities understand what’s expected, but we do not take a one-size-fits-all approach. Each school adapts the framework to its own context, supported by regular coaching and collaboration. We believe that good behaviour starts with a strong curriculum and strong relationships. Our schools focus on providing a rich, engaging education that helps children discover their talents and grow into thoughtful, confident citizens. They also take time to get to know each child as an individual. Every pupil is more than a set of results. “Behaviour’s always one of those gnarly topics that can cause huge amounts of passion and annoyance.”Matthew Shanks, CEO, Education South West Our exclusion and suspension rates remain below the national average. This is not because we avoid taking tough decisions, but because we act early. Each school identifies a group of students at the start of every half term for early engagement, meeting with families in the first week. This proactive, human approach makes a significant difference. We are data-rich, but we use data with care. Our central team supports schools with meaningful insights helping to spot patterns and focus support where it’s most needed, particularly for our most vulnerable children. As ever, the story behind the numbers matters more than the numbers alone. Headline figures rarely tell the whole story. Across our trust, we work with schools in very different contexts - some welcoming large numbers of students mid-year, others serving communities facing significant social or economic challenges. While national measures and accountability data can provide useful benchmarks, they often miss the nuance and complexity of our schools’ work. That’s why we treat numbers as a starting point, not a verdict. Data helps us ask better questions, not jump to easy conclusions. For us, true accountability lies in doing right by each child, every day, even when that can’t be captured in a spreadsheet. The trust is committed to high standards and deeply held values. We recognise that children will sometimes get things wrong. Our job is to respond with professionalism, empathy, and consistency. We never lose sight of the fact that we are helping young people grow, learn and discover who they are.  

Blackawton School Celebrates Earth Day with Inspiring Whole-School Environmental Projects  Blackawton Primary School marked Earth Day this term with a series of creative and hands-on activities designed to help pupils reflect on how they can care for the planet and make a positive environmental impact.  The very first Earth Day was held in 1970. Since then, the Earth Day Network has been mobilising over 1 billion people annually to help protect the planet.  Children from every class took part in practical learning experiences focused on sustainability, conservation and environmental awareness. The activities encouraged pupils to think about how small everyday actions can contribute to a healthier planet.  A standout contribution came from Class 1, who made a commitment to reduce waste by recycling fruit scraps through a classroom wormery. This initiative will help reduce landfill waste while producing nutrient-rich compost to support plant growth. The class also created a crafted model of the Earth as part of their learning.  Class 2 pupils embraced the theme of growing and sustainability by planting peas in the school garden. They are now looking forward to observing the plants grow and learning more about how to care for them over time. Class 3 had a busy week, planting a range of vegetables with the aim of using their harvest later in the term. The class also welcomed a visit from a solar engineer, who introduced pupils to the principles of sustainable energy. Inspired by the session, children designed their own imaginative solar-powered toys.  In addition, Class 5 created a wildflower patch on the school field and planted their first seeds, supporting biodiversity and encouraging pollinators within the school grounds.  Music also played a role in the celebrations, with pupils rehearsing the school song “I am the Earth” in preparation for the upcoming Dart Music Festival.  The school’s Earth Day celebrations highlight its ongoing commitment to environmental education and inspiring pupils to become responsible global citizens.  Liam Fielding, Headteacher at Blackawton Primary School, said:  “Earth Day has been a wonderful opportunity for our pupils to learn about sustainability in a meaningful and practical way. We are incredibly proud of their enthusiasm, creativity and commitment to protecting the environment. These activities show that even small actions can make a real difference.”  Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said:  “It is fantastic to see Earth Day brought to life in such a meaningful and practical way at Blackawton School. These experiences help pupils understand that sustainability is not just a topic to learn about, but something they can actively take part in. We are incredibly proud of their enthusiasm and the way they are embracing their role as future custodians of the planet.”

Wynstream Primary School welcomes families to successful nursery open event  Wynstream Primary School recently welcomed local families to a drop-in event showcasing its new nursery, which is set to open in September 2026. Held on Wednesday the 29th April, the event saw a strong turnout of parents and carers who attended across two sessions in the morning and afternoon. Visitors were given the opportunity to explore the new nursery environment, meet teachers and school staff, and learn more about how the provision will support children’s early development. The new nursery, for children aged 3 to 5, will offer a warm and engaging setting designed to give children a positive start to their education. Families were able to take guided tours of the spaces and hear more about the school’s approach to early years learning. The nursery will run weekday sessions from 9:00am to 12:00pm and 12:00pm to 3:00pm, with eligible families able to access up to 30 hours of funded childcare. Families are now able to apply for places and those who were unable to attend the event are encouraged to get in touch with the school if they would like a tour. They can contact the school on 01392 284990 or email admin@wynstreamprimary.org.uk. Applications also can be made online via the school’s booking form here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/a19WWbgXg4 Elise Redman, Headteacher at Wynstream Primary School, said:  “It was fantastic to welcome so many families into school and share our plans for the new nursery. There was a real sense of excitement, and it was great to see children already enjoying the space. We are looking forward to welcoming our first cohort in September 2026.”  Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said:  “We were really pleased to see such a strong turnout from families and such a positive response to the new nursery at Wynstream Primary School. High-quality early years provision is so important in giving children the best possible start, and this new setting reflects the school’s commitment to supporting both children and families within the community. It was great to see the enthusiasm on the day, and we are excited to see the nursery open and thrive when it welcomes its first children later this year.”