Bright Futures Ahead: Local Students Embark on Ambitious Academic Journeys

Pupils from Dartmouth Academy were all smiles this morning as they collected their GCSE results (Thursday 21st August 2025). 

This year’s cohort have achieved fantastic results, reflecting their resilience, dedication, and the support of the entire Dartmouth Academy community. A group of high-achieving students are celebrating major academic milestones as they move on to exciting new chapters in their education.

Emelia, having successfully completed her GCSEs, has taken a bold step internationally by moving to Denmark to study the prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB). Known for its academic rigor and global recognition, the IB program is an ideal fit for Emelia's ambition and global outlook.

Back in the UK, Laila was celebrating a collection of 7, 8 and 9 grades and is heading to grammar school sixth form where she will pursue A Levels, a pathway that reflects her strong academic foundation and focus for the future.

Noah collected grades 7 and 9s today and will be continuing his education at sixth form with a creative and analytical blend of Film Studies, Art & Design, and Mathematics,  a unique combination that positions him well for careers in media, design, or digital arts.

Jesual, having achieved exactly what she needed for her future studies, is setting her sights firmly on the sciences, opting to study Biology, Chemistry, and Psychology. Her choices reflect a strong interest in understanding both the natural world and the human mind, paving the way toward a future in medicine or research.

These students represent the diversity of talent and aspiration in their community, and staff at Dartmouth Academy, as well as their families are rightly proud of their achievements. With each pursuing distinct but equally ambitious paths, they are certainly ones to watch in the years ahead.

At Dartmouth Academy, an all-through school for children aged 3 to 16, staff build deep, long-term relationships with pupils and families, making the school a true hub of the town.

It’s been a busy academic year at the school with pupils taking part in mock job interviews with members of Dartmouth Rotary, forging a new partnership with Dartmouth Community Chest and even starting a new youth council at the request of the town council.  Pupils have also enjoyed a wide range of exciting activities including sailing on a 60 foot yacht and are off on trips to Paris and Borneo over the summer break.

Paul Girardot, Principal at Dartmouth Academy said:
"I am incredibly proud of what our students have achieved this year. Our mantra, ‘Be Your Best Self,’ is more than words, it’s a daily commitment. Our Year 11s have shown great maturity, effort and aspiration. We will miss them, but know they leave us ready for what’s next."

Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West said:
"Congratulations to all the Dartmouth students receiving their results today – especially those who have been with us since nursery. It’s a privilege to support students through every step of their educational journey. We wish you all the very best in your next chapter."

Bright Futures Ahead: Local Students Embark on Ambitious Academic Journeys Pupils from Dartmouth Academy were all smiles this morning as they collected their GCSE results (Thursday 21st August 2025).  This year’s cohort have achieved fantastic results, reflecting their resilience, dedication, and the support of the entire Dartmouth Academy community. A group of high-achieving students are celebrating major academic milestones as they move on to exciting new chapters in their education. Emelia, having successfully completed her GCSEs, has taken a bold step internationally by moving to Denmark to study the prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB). Known for its academic rigor and global recognition, the IB program is an ideal fit for Emelia's ambition and global outlook. Back in the UK, Laila was celebrating a collection of 7, 8 and 9 grades and is heading to grammar school sixth form where she will pursue A Levels, a pathway that reflects her strong academic foundation and focus for the future. Noah collected grades 7 and 9s today and will be continuing his education at sixth form with a creative and analytical blend of Film Studies, Art & Design, and Mathematics,  a unique combination that positions him well for careers in media, design, or digital arts. Jesual, having achieved exactly what she needed for her future studies, is setting her sights firmly on the sciences, opting to study Biology, Chemistry, and Psychology. Her choices reflect a strong interest in understanding both the natural world and the human mind, paving the way toward a future in medicine or research. These students represent the diversity of talent and aspiration in their community, and staff at Dartmouth Academy, as well as their families are rightly proud of their achievements. With each pursuing distinct but equally ambitious paths, they are certainly ones to watch in the years ahead. At Dartmouth Academy, an all-through school for children aged 3 to 16, staff build deep, long-term relationships with pupils and families, making the school a true hub of the town. It’s been a busy academic year at the school with pupils taking part in mock job interviews with members of Dartmouth Rotary, forging a new partnership with Dartmouth Community Chest and even starting a new youth council at the request of the town council.  Pupils have also enjoyed a wide range of exciting activities including sailing on a 60 foot yacht and are off on trips to Paris and Borneo over the summer break. Paul Girardot, Principal at Dartmouth Academy said:"I am incredibly proud of what our students have achieved this year. Our mantra, ‘Be Your Best Self,’ is more than words, it’s a daily commitment. Our Year 11s have shown great maturity, effort and aspiration. We will miss them, but know they leave us ready for what’s next." Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West said:"Congratulations to all the Dartmouth students receiving their results today – especially those who have been with us since nursery. It’s a privilege to support students through every step of their educational journey. We wish you all the very best in your next chapter."

Dartmouth Academy Students Rise to the Challenge with National Skills Programme

 

Pupils at Dartmouth Academy have been developing essential life and workplace skills thanks to a new partnership with the award-winning Rise Programme, delivered by The Talent Foundry and championed by ICAEW Chartered Accountants.

This term, 60 students participated in a dynamic Rise workshop, designed to highlight the core skills and attributes young people already possess and can continue to build on during their school journey.

Delivered in collaboration with professionals from Rise’s partner organisations, the sessions encouraged students to work collaboratively on curriculum-linked challenges that fostered confidence, critical thinking, and problem-solving, skills directly aligned with both academic success and future career readiness.

The programme, which is offered free to schools across the country with a focus on rural communities, aims to level the playing field for young people from all backgrounds. It supports the belief that every student deserves the opportunity to thrive, regardless of where they live.

Dartmouth Academy looks forward to continuing its work with The Talent Foundry and Rise in the 2025/26 academic year, expanding these valuable experiences to more pupils.

Paul Girardot, Principal at Dartmouth Academy, said:

"We are incredibly proud to offer our students opportunities like the Rise Programme. It helps them to see the value of the skills they’re developing every day at school and gives them the confidence to dream bigger about their future pathways.”

Nicola Perrott, Assistant Principal at Dartmouth Academy, said:

"Our role isn’t just to help students choose a career, but to empower them with the skills, confidence, and knowledge to navigate an ever-changing world of work. This workshop supported that."

Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said:

"Our mission is to ensure equity of opportunity and excellence for all. Programmes like Rise align perfectly with our values, bringing together education, industry, and ambition to empower young people across our communities."

 

 

 

Dartmouth Academy Students Rise to the Challenge with National Skills Programme   Pupils at Dartmouth Academy have been developing essential life and workplace skills thanks to a new partnership with the award-winning Rise Programme, delivered by The Talent Foundry and championed by ICAEW Chartered Accountants. This term, 60 students participated in a dynamic Rise workshop, designed to highlight the core skills and attributes young people already possess and can continue to build on during their school journey. Delivered in collaboration with professionals from Rise’s partner organisations, the sessions encouraged students to work collaboratively on curriculum-linked challenges that fostered confidence, critical thinking, and problem-solving, skills directly aligned with both academic success and future career readiness. The programme, which is offered free to schools across the country with a focus on rural communities, aims to level the playing field for young people from all backgrounds. It supports the belief that every student deserves the opportunity to thrive, regardless of where they live. Dartmouth Academy looks forward to continuing its work with The Talent Foundry and Rise in the 2025/26 academic year, expanding these valuable experiences to more pupils. Paul Girardot, Principal at Dartmouth Academy, said: "We are incredibly proud to offer our students opportunities like the Rise Programme. It helps them to see the value of the skills they’re developing every day at school and gives them the confidence to dream bigger about their future pathways.” Nicola Perrott, Assistant Principal at Dartmouth Academy, said: "Our role isn’t just to help students choose a career, but to empower them with the skills, confidence, and knowledge to navigate an ever-changing world of work. This workshop supported that." Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said: "Our mission is to ensure equity of opportunity and excellence for all. Programmes like Rise align perfectly with our values, bringing together education, industry, and ambition to empower young people across our communities."      

 

On Tuesday the 8th July, pupils and staff at Dartmouth Academy waved off the first runner from Oppidan Education as they began ‘The School Run’ - an ambitious 200-mile fundraising run from Dartmouth to London in support mentoring for young people and the fight against childhood morning hunger. 

The event marks the launch of a major campaign aiming to £100,000, with proceeds being split between The Oppidan Foundation and Magic Breakfast. While they’re currently at around £5,000, the team remains committed and optimistic, , continuing to build momentum and support throughout the duration of the run.

The challenge kicked off Dartmouth Academy - the furthest partner school in Oppidan’s network from their London office, – and will conclude 3.5 days later at their headquarters in Hammersmith.

The entire Oppidan team will take part in the relay-style run, with co-founders Henry Faber and Walter Kerr among six runners at the school for the launch, with Kerr running the first leg.  

Oppidan Education supports children through one-to-one mentoring that focuses on building confidence and resilience. Its charitable arm, The Oppidan Foundation, provides grants to support mentoring in state-funded UK schools.

This year marks a milestone in the growing partnership between Oppidan Education and Education South West, with hundreds of students across the trust benefitting from personalised mentoring. Sessions have taken place at Dartmouth Academy, and involved pupils from Teign School, KEVICC, Kingsbridge Community College, and Coombeshead Academy.

Magic Breakfast provides healthy breakfasts and expert support to over 300,000 children and young people across the UK every school day. Their mission is to ensure no child is too hungry to learn, with research showing that children who eat breakfast at school make 2–3 months’ additional progress in a year.

Lindsey MacDonald, CEO of Magic Breakfast, said: 

“Too many children start the day too hungry to learn, and that simply has to change. We’re thrilled to be part of The School Run, = an inspiring effort that highlights how mentoring and nourishment go hand in hand in helping children reach their full potential.” 

Henry Faber, Co-Founder of Oppidan Education, said: 

“This run symbolises what we believe in, going the distance for young people. Through the foundation and partnerships like the one we have with Dartmouth Academy, we want to unlock the potential in every student, no matter where they live or what they face.” 

Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said: 

“We are proud to support this run, which represents more than just miles, it’s about making opportunity and nourishment real for all children. We believe every young person should have access to mentoring and a healthy start to the day.” 

Paul Girardot, Headteacher at Dartmouth Academy, said:  

“It’s been a joy to see our pupils thrive through their mentoring with Oppidan this year and we were delighted to host the launch of ‘The School Run.’ Watching our pupils wave off the first runner was a moment of real pride, not just for Dartmouth Academy, but for what education can achieve when communities come together.” 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  On Tuesday the 8th July, pupils and staff at Dartmouth Academy waved off the first runner from Oppidan Education as they began ‘The School Run’ - an ambitious 200-mile fundraising run from Dartmouth to London in support mentoring for young people and the fight against childhood morning hunger.  The event marks the launch of a major campaign aiming to £100,000, with proceeds being split between The Oppidan Foundation and Magic Breakfast. While they’re currently at around £5,000, the team remains committed and optimistic, , continuing to build momentum and support throughout the duration of the run. The challenge kicked off Dartmouth Academy - the furthest partner school in Oppidan’s network from their London office, – and will conclude 3.5 days later at their headquarters in Hammersmith. The entire Oppidan team will take part in the relay-style run, with co-founders Henry Faber and Walter Kerr among six runners at the school for the launch, with Kerr running the first leg.   Oppidan Education supports children through one-to-one mentoring that focuses on building confidence and resilience. Its charitable arm, The Oppidan Foundation, provides grants to support mentoring in state-funded UK schools. This year marks a milestone in the growing partnership between Oppidan Education and Education South West, with hundreds of students across the trust benefitting from personalised mentoring. Sessions have taken place at Dartmouth Academy, and involved pupils from Teign School, KEVICC, Kingsbridge Community College, and Coombeshead Academy. Magic Breakfast provides healthy breakfasts and expert support to over 300,000 children and young people across the UK every school day. Their mission is to ensure no child is too hungry to learn, with research showing that children who eat breakfast at school make 2–3 months’ additional progress in a year. Lindsey MacDonald, CEO of Magic Breakfast, said:  “Too many children start the day too hungry to learn, and that simply has to change. We’re thrilled to be part of The School Run, = an inspiring effort that highlights how mentoring and nourishment go hand in hand in helping children reach their full potential.”  Henry Faber, Co-Founder of Oppidan Education, said:  “This run symbolises what we believe in, going the distance for young people. Through the foundation and partnerships like the one we have with Dartmouth Academy, we want to unlock the potential in every student, no matter where they live or what they face.”  Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said:  “We are proud to support this run, which represents more than just miles, it’s about making opportunity and nourishment real for all children. We believe every young person should have access to mentoring and a healthy start to the day.”  Paul Girardot, Headteacher at Dartmouth Academy, said:   “It’s been a joy to see our pupils thrive through their mentoring with Oppidan this year and we were delighted to host the launch of ‘The School Run.’ Watching our pupils wave off the first runner was a moment of real pride, not just for Dartmouth Academy, but for what education can achieve when communities come together.”             

Dartmouth Pupils Dazzle at National Health Conference in London

A group of pupils from Dartmouth Academy have taken their learning far beyond the classroom, presenting their views on government health policy to leading academics at a national conference in London this term.

The school's Young Persons Advisory Group, who have been working in partnership with researchers from Exeter University’s Medical School for several years, travelled to the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) to share their insights on the government’s calorie labelling policy.

The visit began with a behind-the-scenes tour of LSHTM before the pupils’ delivered a confident and thought-provoking presentation to a room full of academics, both in person and online. Their contributions were met with enthusiastic praise from university researchers, who commended the group for their insightful and mature reflections.

Following the conference, the group were treated to a cultural tour of London’s most iconic landmarks, including a visit to the Natural History Museum, giving them a memorable and enriching end to an inspiring experience.

Nicola Perrott, Assistant Principal at Dartmouth Academy, said:

“Having our pupils present at a national conference in London was a very proud moment. They spoke with such confidence and maturity, it was clear to everyone in the room, and online, that young people have powerful voices and valuable ideas. Opportunities like this go far beyond the classroom. They show pupils that their voice matters and that they can take up space in national conversations.”

Matthew Shanks, CEO at Education South West, said:

“This is a fantastic example of the kind of opportunities we want all young people across our trust to experience. Our students aren’t just learning, they’re engaging with real-world issues, influencing national debate, and seeing how their voices can make a difference. We’re incredibly proud of them.”

 

 

 

 

Dartmouth Pupils Dazzle at National Health Conference in London A group of pupils from Dartmouth Academy have taken their learning far beyond the classroom, presenting their views on government health policy to leading academics at a national conference in London this term. The school's Young Persons Advisory Group, who have been working in partnership with researchers from Exeter University’s Medical School for several years, travelled to the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) to share their insights on the government’s calorie labelling policy. The visit began with a behind-the-scenes tour of LSHTM before the pupils’ delivered a confident and thought-provoking presentation to a room full of academics, both in person and online. Their contributions were met with enthusiastic praise from university researchers, who commended the group for their insightful and mature reflections. Following the conference, the group were treated to a cultural tour of London’s most iconic landmarks, including a visit to the Natural History Museum, giving them a memorable and enriching end to an inspiring experience. Nicola Perrott, Assistant Principal at Dartmouth Academy, said: “Having our pupils present at a national conference in London was a very proud moment. They spoke with such confidence and maturity, it was clear to everyone in the room, and online, that young people have powerful voices and valuable ideas. Opportunities like this go far beyond the classroom. They show pupils that their voice matters and that they can take up space in national conversations.” Matthew Shanks, CEO at Education South West, said: “This is a fantastic example of the kind of opportunities we want all young people across our trust to experience. Our students aren’t just learning, they’re engaging with real-world issues, influencing national debate, and seeing how their voices can make a difference. We’re incredibly proud of them.”        

First Aid, CVs and Community: Dartmouth Pupils Get Future-Ready on Careers Day

Pupils at Dartmouth Academy have taken part in an action-packed careers day this term, designed to build vital life skills and prepare them for the world beyond the classroom. 

From learning first aid and revision techniques to crafting CVs and writing job applications, pupils were guided through a series of interactive sessions aimed at boosting confidence and career readiness.

A highlight of the day was a visit from alumna Bethan Germon, founder of the charity Angels and Advocates, who worked alongside pupils to pack care parcels for those in need. The hands-on experience encouraged pupils to give back to their community while learning more about how passion and purpose can drive a successful career.

The day formed part of the school’s ongoing commitment to personal development, employability, and community connection, ensuring every pupil is empowered to thrive in the future.

Paul Girardot, Principal at Dartmouth Academy, said:

"We want our pupils to leave school not just with strong academic results, but with the skills, values, and confidence they need to succeed in life. Careers Day brought all of that together, it was inspiring to see students so engaged and motivated."

Matthew Shanks, CEO at Education South West, said:

"This is exactly the kind of opportunity that sets our schools apart, practical, meaningful experiences that show young people what's possible. We’re incredibly proud of how the students embraced every session, and of alumni like Bethan who continue to make a difference."

 

 

First Aid, CVs and Community: Dartmouth Pupils Get Future-Ready on Careers Day Pupils at Dartmouth Academy have taken part in an action-packed careers day this term, designed to build vital life skills and prepare them for the world beyond the classroom.  From learning first aid and revision techniques to crafting CVs and writing job applications, pupils were guided through a series of interactive sessions aimed at boosting confidence and career readiness. A highlight of the day was a visit from alumna Bethan Germon, founder of the charity Angels and Advocates, who worked alongside pupils to pack care parcels for those in need. The hands-on experience encouraged pupils to give back to their community while learning more about how passion and purpose can drive a successful career. The day formed part of the school’s ongoing commitment to personal development, employability, and community connection, ensuring every pupil is empowered to thrive in the future. Paul Girardot, Principal at Dartmouth Academy, said: "We want our pupils to leave school not just with strong academic results, but with the skills, values, and confidence they need to succeed in life. Careers Day brought all of that together, it was inspiring to see students so engaged and motivated." Matthew Shanks, CEO at Education South West, said: "This is exactly the kind of opportunity that sets our schools apart, practical, meaningful experiences that show young people what's possible. We’re incredibly proud of how the students embraced every session, and of alumni like Bethan who continue to make a difference."