Year 6 open events at Brixham College

THE SPIRES COLLEGE

THE transition from primary school to secondary school can feel like a big step for some children. At The Spires College in Torquay, staff work hard to ensure the transition is as smooth and straightforward as possible.

College principal Alex Newton understands the importance of open events and encourages parents and their sons and daughters to attend as many as possible.

“Open events are essential because you cannot get a feel for a school without visiting it and meeting the people who work and study there,” says Ms Newton. “It’s a bit like buying a house: sometimes you know you’ve found the right place just from the feeling you get when you walk around. You need to attend the open events for all the schools that you may be considering – you will be amazed how different schools are from each other and you need to feel confident that you have chosen the right one for you and your child.

“For us, open events are so important because our ‘good’ Ofsted report gives only an introduction to what we offer. Parents and children need to come and find out what it’s like to study here now, in 2018,” said Ms Newton. “Leaving primary school, where children probably know every pupil and every teacher, can feel a bit scary for some, so exploring the college with the security of being with parents and carers is a great way of starting to feel excited about starting secondary school.”

As well as being able to look around, visitors are encouraged to talk to pupils and teachers.

“We encourage parents and their children to ask as many questions as they wish,” said Ms Newton.

There will be lots of exciting things to do, see and even eat. Our food preparation and nutrition teacher and her pupils will be preparing snacks and visitors can also sample food from the dining hall.

There will also be lots of opportunities to get involved in each subject area with challenges, tasks, competitions and experiments. We look forward to welcoming everyone to the college. BRIXHAM College will be hosting its Year 6 open evening on Thursday, from 6pm-8pm and its Year 6 open morning on Monday, September 17, from 9am to noon to enable local parents and carers to find out first-hand if Brixham College is the right fit for their child.

Visitors will gain an insight into its broad curriculum, layered with academic, sporting and enrichment opportunities and the extracurricular activities that stretch skills, enhance learning and encourage creativity. They will also see how it equips youngsters with high aspirations, gives them a ‘can do’ attitude and surrounds them with positive relationships and access to outstanding pastoral care.

“Year after year our students prove they’re resourceful with a positive mind-set, have an exceptional work ethic and are full of self-belief, drive and the desire to achieve. I’m so proud of them” says Kara Bridgeman vice principal at Brixham College which celebrated its highest ever A-Level

ST CUTHBERT MAYNE

ST CUTHBERT MAYNE welcomes all to become a member of its school family, regardless of faith and background.

The school is proud of the excellent education that students receive from Year 7 to 13. St Cuthbert Mayne is the only non-Grammar school with a Sixth Form in Torbay or Newton Abbot whose pupils exceed the national expected progress at both GCSE and A-Level. This is achieved through excellent teaching across all year groups and an understanding that every child is unique and valued.

Because the school has a passion to develop each individual’s gifts, it runs Elite Subject Academies to stretch and inspire students in each subject.

September 2018 will also see the launch of the Student Leadership Academy, which looks to identify and develop leaders for the future. This is an exciting initiative which looks to connect with business, community and public service leaders, both locally and nationally, to expand leadership qualities in our pupils.

To enhance the pupils’ experience in learning and to ensure they are prepared for the 21st century, the school has become a Google School for Education.

This includes all Year 10-13 students receiving a personal Chromebook laptop which they keep throughout their school experience. Pupils are able to access their learning and upload their work and home learning, as well as having classroom notes available and being able to use cutting edge apps.

As a result of a £300,000 investment many areas will have been refurbished by September, to support the great student experience. grades this summer and an impressive set of the new top ‘super’ grades and individual performances at GCSE level. “We’re so lucky to have staff who love their subjects, encourage a zest for learning that will last a lifetime and instil the confidence and aspirations students need to make their dreams a reality,” she added.

The multi-faceted educational experience that your child will enjoy at Brixham College will lead to achievements they can be proud of; an education which will prepare them for further education, training and employment, will make a positive impact on behaviour, academic achievement and physical well-being, and will shape their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

Most importantly though, Brixham College is a student-centred, close-knit learning family where your child will be known, understood and nurtured by a team of committed, highly experienced professionals, who will always go above and beyond.