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Setting Sail for Success: Dartmouth Pupils Take on Life-Changing Voyage

Fifteen Year 9  pupils from Dartmouth Academy have returned from an unforgettable sailing voyage aboard ‘Prolific’, a 60-foot yacht, after a week of teamwork, adventure, and learning at sea.

Departing from Southampton, the students spent five days living and working together onboard. What began as a group of individual friendships quickly transformed into a united and confident team, impressing the crew with their maturity, enthusiasm, and teamwork.

The voyage was made possible thanks to the continued and generous support of the Royal Dart Youth Sailing Trust, which fully funds these valuable opportunities for Dartmouth Academy pupils.

The Prolific crew echoed this praise, describing the pupils as “an excellent group who were a joy to have on board”. Staff noted how quickly the pupils grew into a cohesive, supportive team – demonstrating resilience, empathy, and curiosity throughout the voyage.

This voyage is part of Dartmouth Academy’s wider commitment to real-world learning, character development, and partnership with the local community to offer every young person opportunities that go beyond the classroom.

Paul Girardot, Principal at Dartmouth Academy, said:

"It was an incredible experience to see our pupils thrive outside the classroom, building friendships, learning new skills, and gaining self-confidence. They represented the school beautifully and we are so proud of them."

Matthew Shanks, CEO at Education South West said:

"This is what education is truly about, opening doors and expanding horizons. Opportunities like this empower young people with lifelong skills and memories. We are incredibly proud of the students and thankful to the Royal Dart Youth Sailing Trust for making this possible."

 

 

Setting Sail for Success: Dartmouth Pupils Take on Life-Changing Voyage Fifteen Year 9  pupils from Dartmouth Academy have returned from an unforgettable sailing voyage aboard ‘Prolific’, a 60-foot yacht, after a week of teamwork, adventure, and learning at sea. Departing from Southampton, the students spent five days living and working together onboard. What began as a group of individual friendships quickly transformed into a united and confident team, impressing the crew with their maturity, enthusiasm, and teamwork. The voyage was made possible thanks to the continued and generous support of the Royal Dart Youth Sailing Trust, which fully funds these valuable opportunities for Dartmouth Academy pupils. The Prolific crew echoed this praise, describing the pupils as “an excellent group who were a joy to have on board”. Staff noted how quickly the pupils grew into a cohesive, supportive team – demonstrating resilience, empathy, and curiosity throughout the voyage. This voyage is part of Dartmouth Academy’s wider commitment to real-world learning, character development, and partnership with the local community to offer every young person opportunities that go beyond the classroom. Paul Girardot, Principal at Dartmouth Academy, said: "It was an incredible experience to see our pupils thrive outside the classroom, building friendships, learning new skills, and gaining self-confidence. They represented the school beautifully and we are so proud of them." Matthew Shanks, CEO at Education South West said: "This is what education is truly about, opening doors and expanding horizons. Opportunities like this empower young people with lifelong skills and memories. We are incredibly proud of the students and thankful to the Royal Dart Youth Sailing Trust for making this possible."    

Dart Harbour Funds Lifesaving Swimming Lessons for Local Schools 

 

Dartmouth Academy, Dart Harbour and Dartmouth Indoor Pool Trust (DIPT) are delighted to announce a transformative new partnership, ensuring that every primary pupil in Dartmouth and Stoke Fleming will receive regular high-quality swimming lessons for the next five years. 

This exciting initiative follows a successful pilot programme launched in Autumn 2024 by DIPT in collaboration with Dartmouth Academy, Stoke Fleming and St John's Primary schools. This saw outstanding progress with the majority of participating children being able to swim at least 25 metres – the national curriculum benchmark for primary school leavers.

With this secured funding from Dart Harbour, swim lessons will again be embedded in the curriculum with a focus on developing swimming proficiency and delivering essential water safety education. The aim is to ensure that all our local children are confident and competent in the water – a crucial skill for a coastal town.

This collaboration also strengthens the sustainability of the indoor pool by increasing its use as a community asset, ensuring it remains a safe and accessible space for learning and wellbeing whilst also equipping pupils with vital skills to stay safe in Dartmouth's river and in the sea.

Education South West, the trust which Dartmouth Academy and Stoke Fleming Primary School are part of, has stressed its gratitude to the Dart Harbour Authority and DIPT for their generous support, which will make a lasting difference to young people in the community.  

Paul Britton, Harbour Master and CEO, said:

“We are very excited by this new partnership.  As a not-for-profit trust port we manage the Dart on behalf of the community, so helping to provide swimming lessons for local children will encourage a whole new generation to learn to enjoy our beautiful river safely.” 

Craig Davidson, Chair of Dartmouth Indoor Pool Trust, the charity responsible for managing this valuable community asset for Dartmouth and the surrounding villages, added:

"It has been an important aim of ours to see swimming classes restart after the Covid pandemic. To make it happen we funded the pilot scheme earlier this year. With huge pressure on school budgets the offer of long term funding by Dart Harbour is simply fantastic." 

Chris Harrison, Headteacher at Stoke Fleming Primary, said: 

“The children had a fantastic time and it is great that we are able to offer them swimming lessons again. This is vital given the potential dangers of where we live. The full one-hour sessions meant that they had a really good chunk of time in the pool.”

Sue Manley, Trustee of DIPT and former PE teacher, added:

“Swimming is a life skill that once learnt is never forgotten. For some children it was their first experience of being in a pool and having swim lessons. It is just brilliant to see the children’s delight when they first manage to swim a width.”

Dart Harbour Funds Lifesaving Swimming Lessons for Local Schools    Dartmouth Academy, Dart Harbour and Dartmouth Indoor Pool Trust (DIPT) are delighted to announce a transformative new partnership, ensuring that every primary pupil in Dartmouth and Stoke Fleming will receive regular high-quality swimming lessons for the next five years.  This exciting initiative follows a successful pilot programme launched in Autumn 2024 by DIPT in collaboration with Dartmouth Academy, Stoke Fleming and St John's Primary schools. This saw outstanding progress with the majority of participating children being able to swim at least 25 metres – the national curriculum benchmark for primary school leavers. With this secured funding from Dart Harbour, swim lessons will again be embedded in the curriculum with a focus on developing swimming proficiency and delivering essential water safety education. The aim is to ensure that all our local children are confident and competent in the water – a crucial skill for a coastal town. This collaboration also strengthens the sustainability of the indoor pool by increasing its use as a community asset, ensuring it remains a safe and accessible space for learning and wellbeing whilst also equipping pupils with vital skills to stay safe in Dartmouth's river and in the sea. Education South West, the trust which Dartmouth Academy and Stoke Fleming Primary School are part of, has stressed its gratitude to the Dart Harbour Authority and DIPT for their generous support, which will make a lasting difference to young people in the community.   Paul Britton, Harbour Master and CEO, said: “We are very excited by this new partnership.  As a not-for-profit trust port we manage the Dart on behalf of the community, so helping to provide swimming lessons for local children will encourage a whole new generation to learn to enjoy our beautiful river safely.”  Craig Davidson, Chair of Dartmouth Indoor Pool Trust, the charity responsible for managing this valuable community asset for Dartmouth and the surrounding villages, added: "It has been an important aim of ours to see swimming classes restart after the Covid pandemic. To make it happen we funded the pilot scheme earlier this year. With huge pressure on school budgets the offer of long term funding by Dart Harbour is simply fantastic."  Chris Harrison, Headteacher at Stoke Fleming Primary, said:  “The children had a fantastic time and it is great that we are able to offer them swimming lessons again. This is vital given the potential dangers of where we live. The full one-hour sessions meant that they had a really good chunk of time in the pool.” Sue Manley, Trustee of DIPT and former PE teacher, added: “Swimming is a life skill that once learnt is never forgotten. For some children it was their first experience of being in a pool and having swim lessons. It is just brilliant to see the children’s delight when they first manage to swim a width.”

Young Voices, Bright Ideas: Dartmouth Pupils Share Hopes for Their Community

Pupils at Dartmouth Academy have been given the chance to have their voices heard in a meaningful way thanks to a new partnership with Dartmouth Community Chest.

In a thought-provoking session pupils from Years 7 to 11 sat down with Dawn Shepherd, local community advocate and representative of Dartmouth Town Council, to discuss what they value about living in and around Dartmouth and what they hope can be improved.

The session, facilitated by Dartmouth Academy assistant headteacher, Nicola Perrott, invited pupils to engage in open, aspirational conversation about the future of their town. After sharing her role in the community and council, Dawn encouraged the pupils to think boldly and creatively about what could make Dartmouth an even better place to live and grow up.

Ideas from the pupils ranged from more youth focused events and environmental initiatives, to improvements in public spaces and transport. Dawn promised to take their thoughts seriously and committed to meeting with the group again to explore how some of their suggestions could be taken forward in collaboration with local organisations.

This ongoing partnership marks the beginning of a wider initiative to strengthen links between young people and local decision makers, giving pupils the confidence and platform to become active participants in the future of their town.

Paul Girardot, principal at Dartmouth Academy, said:

"It was fantastic to see our pupils engaging so thoughtfully with real issues in their community. We are proud to be a school that encourages pupil voice and community connection. This is how we build confident, compassionate citizens."

Matthew Shanks, CEO at Education South West, said:

“Creating opportunities for students to connect with and shape their local communities is a powerful part of Education South West’s mission to transform lives through education. We’re delighted to see Dartmouth Academy leading by example.”

Young Voices, Bright Ideas: Dartmouth Pupils Share Hopes for Their Community Pupils at Dartmouth Academy have been given the chance to have their voices heard in a meaningful way thanks to a new partnership with Dartmouth Community Chest. In a thought-provoking session pupils from Years 7 to 11 sat down with Dawn Shepherd, local community advocate and representative of Dartmouth Town Council, to discuss what they value about living in and around Dartmouth and what they hope can be improved. The session, facilitated by Dartmouth Academy assistant headteacher, Nicola Perrott, invited pupils to engage in open, aspirational conversation about the future of their town. After sharing her role in the community and council, Dawn encouraged the pupils to think boldly and creatively about what could make Dartmouth an even better place to live and grow up. Ideas from the pupils ranged from more youth focused events and environmental initiatives, to improvements in public spaces and transport. Dawn promised to take their thoughts seriously and committed to meeting with the group again to explore how some of their suggestions could be taken forward in collaboration with local organisations. This ongoing partnership marks the beginning of a wider initiative to strengthen links between young people and local decision makers, giving pupils the confidence and platform to become active participants in the future of their town. Paul Girardot, principal at Dartmouth Academy, said: "It was fantastic to see our pupils engaging so thoughtfully with real issues in their community. We are proud to be a school that encourages pupil voice and community connection. This is how we build confident, compassionate citizens." Matthew Shanks, CEO at Education South West, said: “Creating opportunities for students to connect with and shape their local communities is a powerful part of Education South West’s mission to transform lives through education. We’re delighted to see Dartmouth Academy leading by example.”

Dartmouth Pupils Share Volunteering Experience with St Johns Ambulance  

 

Pupils at Dartmouth Academy have taken centre stage in a dynamic, pupil-led careers assembly that highlighted the power of youth voice, community engagement, and creative talent.

Two impressive Year 11 pupils shared their inspiring experiences as volunteers with St John Ambulance, giving their peers insight into the value of giving back and the real-life skills they’ve gained from supporting their community. The volunteers' stories reflected dedication, compassion, and the impact of learning beyond the classroom. 

St John Ambulance is a charity that provides first aid, health, and safety training and services across the UK. Its core mission is to save lives and support communities through first aid.

Adding a creative spark to the assembly was a moving musical interlude by a talented Year 8 singer and guitarist, who performed a self-selected piece that captivated the audience and showcased the diverse talents within the school.

At Dartmouth Academy, preparing pupils for their next steps in education, employment, or training is a key priority. Their Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) programme is embedded across the school to support informed, confident transitions for all pupils. Through partnerships with employers such as the NHS, armed forces, local businesses, and hospitality providers, pupils gain valuable insights and experiences.

Paul Girardot, Principal at Dartmouth Academy, said:

“We are incredibly proud of our pupils, not only for their confidence and leadership, but for the real-world commitment and creativity they bring to our school community. This assembly was a powerful reminder that our young people are both the leaders and changemakers of tomorrow.”

Matthew Shanks, CEO at Education South West, said:

“It’s fantastic to hear about students stepping up to lead, inspire, and share their journeys with one another. At Education South West,  we believe in nurturing confident, compassionate learners who are prepared to shape their futures and assemblies like this show that vision in action.”

 

 

Dartmouth Pupils Share Volunteering Experience with St Johns Ambulance     Pupils at Dartmouth Academy have taken centre stage in a dynamic, pupil-led careers assembly that highlighted the power of youth voice, community engagement, and creative talent. Two impressive Year 11 pupils shared their inspiring experiences as volunteers with St John Ambulance, giving their peers insight into the value of giving back and the real-life skills they’ve gained from supporting their community. The volunteers' stories reflected dedication, compassion, and the impact of learning beyond the classroom.  St John Ambulance is a charity that provides first aid, health, and safety training and services across the UK. Its core mission is to save lives and support communities through first aid. Adding a creative spark to the assembly was a moving musical interlude by a talented Year 8 singer and guitarist, who performed a self-selected piece that captivated the audience and showcased the diverse talents within the school. At Dartmouth Academy, preparing pupils for their next steps in education, employment, or training is a key priority. Their Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) programme is embedded across the school to support informed, confident transitions for all pupils. Through partnerships with employers such as the NHS, armed forces, local businesses, and hospitality providers, pupils gain valuable insights and experiences. Paul Girardot, Principal at Dartmouth Academy, said: “We are incredibly proud of our pupils, not only for their confidence and leadership, but for the real-world commitment and creativity they bring to our school community. This assembly was a powerful reminder that our young people are both the leaders and changemakers of tomorrow.” Matthew Shanks, CEO at Education South West, said: “It’s fantastic to hear about students stepping up to lead, inspire, and share their journeys with one another. At Education South West,  we believe in nurturing confident, compassionate learners who are prepared to shape their futures and assemblies like this show that vision in action.”    

Year 5 Get a Glimpse of the Future at Dartmouth Academy’s Activity Day

Dartmouth Academy Hosts Activity Day with Local Primary Schools 

Dartmouth Academy, part of Education South West, has held a Year 5 Activity Day with 76 pupils from Stoke Fleming Primary School, Blackawton Primary School, and the primary element of the all through school coming together for a day full of hands-on fun and learning.

The event was designed to give Year 5 students a preview of what to expect when they transition into Year 7 at Dartmouth Academy, offering them the opportunity to explore the school’s vibrant learning environment and its range of exciting academic and physical activities.

Throughout the day, the pupils took part in a series of engaging activities, including mind bending maths challenges, amazing art exploration, super science experiments, and fun physical challenges. These interactive sessions gave pupils a taste of the diverse learning experiences Dartmouth Academy has to offer while encouraging teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity.

Paul Girardot, Principal at Dartmouth Academy, said:

“We were thrilled to welcome local Year 5 students to Dartmouth Academy for an exciting and enriching day. This event is a wonderful opportunity for pupils to explore the subjects and activities that await them in Year 7, and we hope it sparks their enthusiasm for learning and joining our school community. We look forward to showing them all that Dartmouth Academy has to offer and how we can support their growth and development as they transition into secondary education.”

Matthew Shanks, CEO at Education South West, said:

“The Year 5 Activity Day is a fantastic initiative that allows children to experience a taste of the hands-on, engaging learning environment at Dartmouth Academy. It’s a great opportunity to prepare young people for success in Year 7 and beyond, ensuring they feel supported and excited as they take the next step in their educational journey.”

More information:

 

• Education South West is a trust of eight primary schools, four secondary schools, one all through school and a University Technical College all based in Devon.
• Education South West is focused on creating a culture which supports and challenges all whilst also working with those in and outside their community of schools to improve all. 
• All Education South West schools have UNICEF Rights Respecting accreditation, which recognises their commitment to creating safe and inspiring places to learn, where children are respected, their talents are nurtured and they are able to thrive.
• Dartmouth Academy is rated Good by Ofsted for Quality of education, Behaviour and attitudes, Personal development, Leadership and management and Early years provision.

Year 5 Get a Glimpse of the Future at Dartmouth Academy’s Activity Day Dartmouth Academy Hosts Activity Day with Local Primary Schools  Dartmouth Academy, part of Education South West, has held a Year 5 Activity Day with 76 pupils from Stoke Fleming Primary School, Blackawton Primary School, and the primary element of the all through school coming together for a day full of hands-on fun and learning. The event was designed to give Year 5 students a preview of what to expect when they transition into Year 7 at Dartmouth Academy, offering them the opportunity to explore the school’s vibrant learning environment and its range of exciting academic and physical activities. Throughout the day, the pupils took part in a series of engaging activities, including mind bending maths challenges, amazing art exploration, super science experiments, and fun physical challenges. These interactive sessions gave pupils a taste of the diverse learning experiences Dartmouth Academy has to offer while encouraging teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity. Paul Girardot, Principal at Dartmouth Academy, said: “We were thrilled to welcome local Year 5 students to Dartmouth Academy for an exciting and enriching day. This event is a wonderful opportunity for pupils to explore the subjects and activities that await them in Year 7, and we hope it sparks their enthusiasm for learning and joining our school community. We look forward to showing them all that Dartmouth Academy has to offer and how we can support their growth and development as they transition into secondary education.” Matthew Shanks, CEO at Education South West, said: “The Year 5 Activity Day is a fantastic initiative that allows children to experience a taste of the hands-on, engaging learning environment at Dartmouth Academy. It’s a great opportunity to prepare young people for success in Year 7 and beyond, ensuring they feel supported and excited as they take the next step in their educational journey.” More information:   Education South West is a trust of eight primary schools, four secondary schools, one all through school and a University Technical College all based in Devon. Education South West is focused on creating a culture which supports and challenges all whilst also working with those in and outside their community of schools to improve all.  All Education South West schools have UNICEF Rights Respecting accreditation, which recognises their commitment to creating safe and inspiring places to learn, where children are respected, their talents are nurtured and they are able to thrive. Dartmouth Academy is rated Good by Ofsted for Quality of education, Behaviour and attitudes, Personal development, Leadership and management and Early years provision.