Welcome to Dartmouth Academy
Open since September 2010, with modern purpose-built facilities from 2014, we are one of a small but growing number of schools nationally which offer education for children from ages 3-16.
At Dartmouth Academy, staff are passionate in their commitment to our core message: our future successes are built on the work we do today.
As an all-through Academy, we believe in building long-lasting relationships with pupils and their families and take pride in being at the heart of our community. Children flourish when they feel safe and secure; care underpins all that we do and as a small school each pupil is known by all staff.
Woven throughout both our aspirational curriculum and ethos of empathy and understanding is the drive for every child to be their best self in their learning and all they do at school and beyond. Staff create and teach academically-rich schema whilst understanding, and planning to overcome, the barriers a child may face. It is essential that home and school work together to fully support every child’s development, not simply in their academic achievements but also as a person.
From the moment pupils arrive into our Early Years Foundation Stage, we share with them the school mantra that fosters both academic success as not a measure of ability but an indication of how hard pupils work: Be Your Best Self.
Paul Girardot
Principal
Latest News
View allSpotlight on Careers: Dartmouth Academy Hosts Inspiring Alumni Including BBC's Ben Woolvin Dartmouth Academy was delighted to welcome Ben Woolvin, Home Affairs Correspondent at BBC South West, and alumnus William Carver from Xpremedia,a leading media company, to the school for an engaging and inspiring careers assembly. Ben, whose expertise in journalism and current affairs provides invaluable insight into the media industry, spoke to students about his career journey and the exciting opportunities within broadcast journalism. William, who now works with Xpremedia, also returned to his roots to share his professional experiences with pupils. William spoke about his work delivering professional photography, videography, and podcast services. The assembly highlighted the importance of exploring career options, seeking opportunities for personal growth, and working hard to achieve career goals. Dartmouth Academy is dedicated to offering pupils a wide range of opportunities to explore different career pathways through its comprehensive Careers Education, Information, Advice, and Guidance (CEIAG) programme. The school encourages alumni and local professionals to get involved in future career events, either by speaking at assemblies or providing valuable work experience opportunities. Paul Girardot, Principal at Dartmouth Academy, said: “We are incredibly grateful to these alumni for coming in to share their experiences and insights with our pupils. Our aim is to provide real-world inspiration and advice, helping our pupils understand the variety of paths available to them. We are committed to preparing our pupils for successful transitions into further education, employment, or independent living, and these career assemblies are a key part of that effort.” Nicola Perrott, Assistant Principal at Dartmouth Academy, said: “It is so gratifying that our supportive alumni provide these meaningful employer encounters for our pupils. Our assemblies provide a vehicle for part of our careers provision to ensure we hit all the Gatsby Benchmarks, which are a framework of eight key principles that define world-class careers provision in education” Matthew Shanks, CEO at Education South West said: “It’s fantastic to see alumni returning to inspire the next generation at Dartmouth Academy. The opportunity for young people to hear firsthand from professionals like Ben and William is invaluable in helping them make informed decisions about their futures. We are proud to continue supporting our schools and communities in preparing students for success in life and work.” For more information on how to get involved please contact Dartmouth Academy at: Phone: 01803 839700 Email: admin@dartmouthacademy.org.uk
Spotlight on Careers: Dartmouth Academy Hosts Inspiring Alumni Including BBC's Ben Woolvin Dartmouth Academy was delighted to welcome Ben Woolvin, Home Affairs Correspondent at BBC South West, and alumnus William Carver from Xpremedia,a leading media company, to the school for an engaging and inspiring careers assembly. Ben, whose expertise in journalism and current affairs provides invaluable insight into the media industry, spoke to students about his career journey and the exciting opportunities within broadcast journalism. William, who now works with Xpremedia, also returned to his roots to share his professional experiences with pupils. William spoke about his work delivering professional photography, videography, and podcast services. The assembly highlighted the importance of exploring career options, seeking opportunities for personal growth, and working hard to achieve career goals. Dartmouth Academy is dedicated to offering pupils a wide range of opportunities to explore different career pathways through its comprehensive Careers Education, Information, Advice, and Guidance (CEIAG) programme. The school encourages alumni and local professionals to get involved in future career events, either by speaking at assemblies or providing valuable work experience opportunities. Paul Girardot, Principal at Dartmouth Academy, said: “We are incredibly grateful to these alumni for coming in to share their experiences and insights with our pupils. Our aim is to provide real-world inspiration and advice, helping our pupils understand the variety of paths available to them. We are committed to preparing our pupils for successful transitions into further education, employment, or independent living, and these career assemblies are a key part of that effort.” Nicola Perrott, Assistant Principal at Dartmouth Academy, said: “It is so gratifying that our supportive alumni provide these meaningful employer encounters for our pupils. Our assemblies provide a vehicle for part of our careers provision to ensure we hit all the Gatsby Benchmarks, which are a framework of eight key principles that define world-class careers provision in education” Matthew Shanks, CEO at Education South West said: “It’s fantastic to see alumni returning to inspire the next generation at Dartmouth Academy. The opportunity for young people to hear firsthand from professionals like Ben and William is invaluable in helping them make informed decisions about their futures. We are proud to continue supporting our schools and communities in preparing students for success in life and work.” For more information on how to get involved please contact Dartmouth Academy at: Phone: 01803 839700 Email: admin@dartmouthacademy.org.uk
Pupils 'Wild' About Learning: Dartmouth Academy Partners with Animals 2 U Southwest
Primary pupils at Dartmouth Academy were recently treated to an unforgettable educational experience, thanks to a visit from Animals 2 U Southwest.
Animals 2 U Southwest offers fun-filled animal encounters designed to provide memorable experiences for people of all ages.
The interactive session allowed pupils to engage directly with a variety of animals, sparking curiosity and providing valuable lessons about the natural world.
The team from Animals 2 U Southwest introduced an exciting array of creatures, including mammals, reptiles, and insects. For many pupils, handling a snake was a thrilling moment that highlighted the importance of these creatures in our ecosystem. The hands-on experience emphasised investigation and discovery, encouraging pupils to ask questions and learn in a fun, engaging way.
Jennifer Tierney, Primary Principal at Dartmouth Academy, said:
“A special thank you goes to Animals 2 U Southwest for bringing this unforgettable experience to our school and to all the primary staff involved in organising the event. We look forward to more educational adventures like this one, encouraging our pupils to keep exploring, stay curious, and never stop learning.”
Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said:
“At Education South West, we believe that education should inspire and challenge every child. This hands-on experience not only sparked pupils' curiosity but also reinforced our commitment to providing diverse and enriching learning opportunities. We are proud of the collaborative efforts between Dartmouth Academy and Animals 2 U Southwest in making this event a success."
Pupils 'Wild' About Learning: Dartmouth Academy Partners with Animals 2 U Southwest Primary pupils at Dartmouth Academy were recently treated to an unforgettable educational experience, thanks to a visit from Animals 2 U Southwest. Animals 2 U Southwest offers fun-filled animal encounters designed to provide memorable experiences for people of all ages. The interactive session allowed pupils to engage directly with a variety of animals, sparking curiosity and providing valuable lessons about the natural world. The team from Animals 2 U Southwest introduced an exciting array of creatures, including mammals, reptiles, and insects. For many pupils, handling a snake was a thrilling moment that highlighted the importance of these creatures in our ecosystem. The hands-on experience emphasised investigation and discovery, encouraging pupils to ask questions and learn in a fun, engaging way. Jennifer Tierney, Primary Principal at Dartmouth Academy, said: “A special thank you goes to Animals 2 U Southwest for bringing this unforgettable experience to our school and to all the primary staff involved in organising the event. We look forward to more educational adventures like this one, encouraging our pupils to keep exploring, stay curious, and never stop learning.” Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said: “At Education South West, we believe that education should inspire and challenge every child. This hands-on experience not only sparked pupils' curiosity but also reinforced our commitment to providing diverse and enriching learning opportunities. We are proud of the collaborative efforts between Dartmouth Academy and Animals 2 U Southwest in making this event a success."
Is your child moving up to secondary school in September?
Moving up from primary to secondary school can be one of the biggest changes in a child’s life.
Even for confident kids it’s stressful and anxiety-inducing. Those feelings can build up once the reality of leaving primary school hits home. It’s that transition which requires some careful planning and attention.
The Big Step is a bespoke summer programme designed to empower children heading into Year 7, so they arrive at school in September feeling confident, excited, and ready for their next adventure.
Please click on the link below.
Book your child's place today.
Is your child moving up to secondary school in September? Moving up from primary to secondary school can be one of the biggest changes in a child’s life. Even for confident kids it’s stressful and anxiety-inducing. Those feelings can build up once the reality of leaving primary school hits home. It’s that transition which requires some careful planning and attention. The Big Step is a bespoke summer programme designed to empower children heading into Year 7, so they arrive at school in September feeling confident, excited, and ready for their next adventure. Please click on the link below. Book your child's place today.
A Chapter of Fun: Dartmouth Academy Celebrates World Book Day
Pupils at Dartmouth Academy have been celebrating World Book Day today (6th March.) This year’s theme, “Read Your Way,” encouraged children to explore reading in their own way, making it a fun and personal experience.
The school kicked off the day with a series of interactive and inspiring events designed to spark a love for reading in pupils of all ages. Parents were welcomed into the school to share the joy of reading with their children, and their participation set the tone for a day full of excitement and creativity.
Pupils arrived dressed as their favorite book characters, turning the school into a vibrant celebration of storytelling. The day included a captivating poetry performance by teachers, designed to inspire and entertain the students, as well as a lively reading assembly that filled the air with enthusiasm and imagination.
Adding to the excitement, the school library received a generous donation of new books, further enriching the collection for pupils to explore throughout the year. To top off the celebration, each pupil was given a free book to take home, ensuring the magic of reading continues beyond the school day.
World Book Day is a charity working to promote reading for pleasure and ensure every child has access to books. This year’s celebrations aimed to break down the perception that reading is a chore and instead highlighted how reading can be an enjoyable, social, and rewarding experience.
Jennifer Tierney, Primary Principal at Dartmouth Academy, said:
“We were so thrilled to see our pupils and their families come together to celebrate the joy of reading. World Book Day is a fantastic opportunity to encourage creativity and instill a lifelong love for literature, and the energy in the school was truly magical.”
Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said:
“It’s wonderful to see such enthusiasm for reading across our school communities. Encouraging young people to develop a love of books and learning is at the heart of Education South West’s mission, and the celebrations were a perfect example of the impact that can be achieved when we all come together.”
A Chapter of Fun: Dartmouth Academy Celebrates World Book Day Pupils at Dartmouth Academy have been celebrating World Book Day today (6th March.) This year’s theme, “Read Your Way,” encouraged children to explore reading in their own way, making it a fun and personal experience. The school kicked off the day with a series of interactive and inspiring events designed to spark a love for reading in pupils of all ages. Parents were welcomed into the school to share the joy of reading with their children, and their participation set the tone for a day full of excitement and creativity. Pupils arrived dressed as their favorite book characters, turning the school into a vibrant celebration of storytelling. The day included a captivating poetry performance by teachers, designed to inspire and entertain the students, as well as a lively reading assembly that filled the air with enthusiasm and imagination. Adding to the excitement, the school library received a generous donation of new books, further enriching the collection for pupils to explore throughout the year. To top off the celebration, each pupil was given a free book to take home, ensuring the magic of reading continues beyond the school day. World Book Day is a charity working to promote reading for pleasure and ensure every child has access to books. This year’s celebrations aimed to break down the perception that reading is a chore and instead highlighted how reading can be an enjoyable, social, and rewarding experience. Jennifer Tierney, Primary Principal at Dartmouth Academy, said: “We were so thrilled to see our pupils and their families come together to celebrate the joy of reading. World Book Day is a fantastic opportunity to encourage creativity and instill a lifelong love for literature, and the energy in the school was truly magical.” Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said: “It’s wonderful to see such enthusiasm for reading across our school communities. Encouraging young people to develop a love of books and learning is at the heart of Education South West’s mission, and the celebrations were a perfect example of the impact that can be achieved when we all come together.”