schools

Teacher who was drunk in school can return

Authored by Huw Oxburgh
Posted: Wed, 06/04/2014 - 3:33pm

A Devon teacher who was drunk on school premises is free to return to the classroom after a professional conduct panel decided a teaching ban would not be “appropriate”.

In May a Professional Conduct Panel of the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) found that while Gillian Mary Brunt, a former teacher at Tavistock College, "fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession" they believed a prohibition order banning her from teaching “would not be an appropriate and proportionate response.”

The incident occured on 12 July 2013 when 52–year-...

Trust closure concerns for Devon Schools

Authored by Huw Oxburgh
Posted: Tue, 05/20/2014 - 4:02pm

Three Devon academies will need new financial sponsorship after the Department of Education (DfE) confirmed the closue of the Prospects Academy Trust. The DfE has confirmed that the government are seeking new sponsors for six schools including three in Devon after the Prospects Academy Trust will became the first academies chain to close its doors. In total the chain operates six schools including Paignton Community & Sports Academy (PCSA) as well as the Curledge Street and King's Ash primary schools both also in Paignton In a letter to parents the principal of PCSA, Jane English...

Exeter School cadet wins Jack Sadler award

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Tue, 05/06/2014 - 3:10pm

An Exeter School Senior Royal Navy cadet has been awarded the Jack Sadler Award for outstanding contribution to the combined cadet force contingent (CCF).

Cox'n and Deputy Head Girl Tilly Gilbert was presented with the brass trophy of an artillery shell case and an engraved medal during the biennial inspection by Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty, who is Commandant of all Air Cadets in UK.

The trophy is a permanent memorial to former Exeter School pupil and senior cadet Jack Sadler, who was killed in Afghanistan on 4 December 2007, halfway through a six-month tour as a trooper...

Exeter School's junior code-breakers

Authored by Huw Oxburgh
Posted: Tue, 04/29/2014 - 10:21am

A team of Exeter Junior School pupils has beaten off strong competition from pupils much older than themselves in a mind boggling competition. Team Omega, made up of Tom Harris-Deans, Bertie Hawkins and James Waddington, took part in the Alan Turing Cryptography Competition aimed at secondary school children up to year 11. Now in its third year, the Alan Turing Cryptography Competition is organised by the School of Mathematics at the University of Manchester and celebrates the life of acclaimed mathematician Alan Turing, perhaps best known for his work breaking German codes during World...

Westpoint offers free for all charity days

This year marks Westpoint Exeter’s 25th birthday! And to kick off the celebrations Westpoint has announced it is offering four charities the chance to stage their own event at the venue for free.

Charities large and small are invited to apply for this unique opportunity with one of the south-west’s largest exhibition and entertainment venues. With free access to the Function Room, Wadsworth Pavilion log cabin and Showground, the charities can let their imaginations run wild.

The whole site lends itself to a variety of both indoor and outdoor events. Westpoint’s log cabin...

Churches and schools plant poppies to mark First World War

Hundreds of churches and Church of England schools across Devon are planting poppies as part of First World War commemorations organised by the Diocese of Exeter.

With the support of Paignton based Sutton Seeds, the Diocese has sent out 500 packets of the Northlew poppy seeds. Northlew, a small village near Okehampton, lost proportionally more of its enlisted men than anywhere else in the UK, when 24 died out of the 100 strong adult male population.

The Bishop of Crediton, Nick McKinnel said many churches were taking part in commemorations in their villages or towns, but...

Exeter's Specsavers calls on Young Designers

Authored by Huw Oxburgh
Posted: Mon, 04/14/2014 - 11:47am

Specsavers in Exeter is encouraging young designers to get creative with an Easter-themed colouring competition.

Specsavers Exeter, located at 247 High Street, has called on primary school children to get crafty and create a bespoke Easter egg, with the winner receiving an art kit and a free Easter Egg.

Jonathan Baumber, store director of Specsavers Exeter, says: ‘We are really looking forward to seeing the children’s creations and we hope to uncover the next generation of budding artists!

‘It’s also a great opportunity for children to visit us in store and learn...

Former West Exe Head Tribunal

Authored by Huw Oxburgh
Posted: Mon, 04/07/2014 - 11:52am

A former head teacher of an Exeter Technology College, who was paid a salary three times more than the average head, will appear in front of a professional conduct hearing today.

The hearing by the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) will consider if Steve Maddern, the former head of West Exe Technolgy College, is responsible for bringing the profession into disrepute.

Steve Maddern, who resigned as head teacher of West Exe Technology College in May 2012 received national attention after it emerged that he was being paid £152,000 per year, around £10,000...

Around 300 Teachers March Through Exeter

Authored by Huw Oxburgh
Posted: Wed, 03/26/2014 - 12:05pm

Around 300 teachers from across Devon have taken part in a march through Exeter city centre today as part of strike action against pay and conditions in UK schools.

The marchers met in Northenhay Gardens at around 11am this morning before moving to the Sidwell Street Methodist Church for a rally.

Neville Pope, 30, a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) at Ilfracombe Junior School explained his reasons for taking part in the march: “I’ve been finding out that its a lot more about evidencing everything rather than actually doing things, so rather than being allowed to put everything...

UPDATE: Devon schools closed by Teachers Strike

Authored by Huw Oxburgh
Posted: Tue, 03/25/2014 - 4:55pm

Update: As of his morning 16 schools will be closed or partially closed sue to decisions to close beign made late in the day.

The list has been updated witht he additional school names.

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At least 14 schools across Devon will be closed or partially closed tomorrow due to strike action from members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT). Six schools, including will be fully closed as a result of the strikes while eight others will be partially closed potentially disrupting work for parents across the county. The strike...

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