Dartmouth Academy Consultation Brings In Many Comments and Lots of Support

 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Dartmouth Academy and its rebuild contractors Leadbitters have declared themselves “Delighted” with the first public consultation for the rebuild plans.

 

The event, held in the Academy’s main hall on Thursday May 24, attracted more than 100 interested parents, staff and community members. A number of locally elected representatives were there, including the mayor Paul Allen, Steve Smith and district Councillor Ben Cooper. Also there was chairman of the new Dartmouth business forum Paul Reach and chairman of the Flavel Centre Trust Keith Pockett.

 

On hand to chat to the visitors were members of the Academy Leadership team, its Governors and architects from Leadbitters, who were announced in early May as the contractor for the £8.5million rebuild project.

 

The plans on show – which included a video “Fly-through” – allowed visitors to see that the youngest children, from Nursery to Year 4, have their own block with eight classrooms in the proposed design. Parents will be able to drop off and pick up their children from the classroom door and these children also have their own play area and eating area.

 

 

 

The plans show older children in Years 5 to 8 with their own block of seven classrooms and a large open-plan teaching area as well as accessing specialist classrooms in Science, Art, Technology, PE, Drama and Music.  These students have two outside spaces, one that is just for this age group and separate access to another area that brings them in contact with older children.  They may choose in which area to spend lunchtimes.

 

 

 

Years 9 to 11 are to be taught in the Pathways block. It contains eight classrooms and access to another open plan area plus the usual specialist classrooms for Science, Art, Technology, PE, Drama and Music.

 

Subjects that were raised by those attending included the intentions for the timescales and manner of the rebuild, the parking solutions on the revamped site and the facilities the new school will bring to Dartmouth.

 

Nick Hindmarsh, Dartmouth Academy Principal said: “It was a very positive consultation – we want to make sure that our plans fit with the desires of everyone in the community as well as our children, staff and teachers. We are delighted with the provision that provides a total of 35 classrooms and two large open areas. This means we have more classrooms and better facilities than ever before.

 

“We had a lot of feedback that we think is very helpful. To see so many people getting involved and finding out about the rebuild shows how much interest and excitement there is in the community for this rebuild – which is the biggest investment in the town’s educational facilities ever.”

 

Governor Mary Shaw said: “Already the students are talking excitedly about the plans. I overheard some older ones congratulating the architect on the designs but politely insisting that the bold blue of their uniform had to be included somewhere!  It was great to hear their sense of pride.”

 

Keith Pockett, chairman of the Flavel Centre Trust, said: “The Flavel Centre Trust is an educational charity that through the facilities of the Flavel Arts Centre works to enhance the education of all age groups in the community. The rebuild of the Academy is a major and very exiting redevelopment of facilities in the town. We already welcome young people from the Academy with exhibitions of their art and exam work and to showcase their theatre and dance talents.  We expect this to continue and hope to develop our relationship to mutual benefit for the young people of the town.

 

“I think the plans for the rebuild look very good. There are indoor and outdoor workspaces that will provide good facilities for innovative and inspiring teaching.”

Dartmouth Academy Macbeth Exhibition Makes Big Impression on Students, Parents and Staff

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

An exhibition showcasing the multi-disciplinary work being done at Dartmouth Academy has been hailed as a big success.

“Out Damned Spot” is the result of work based around Macbeth, helping to prepare students for their GCSE Art and Design and English Exams.

The exhibition, held on Thursday May 24 featured art and design, photography, animations and a drama piece created by the students that was performed to a lively and friendly crowd outside the Academy’s Sculpture studio.

The Academy has been using new timetables and special project days – known as ‘Tenth Days’  – to allow students to delve deeply into subjects.

By using creative and innovative strategies to examine the story, characters and themes of the play, students gain a much deeper understanding of Shakespeare’s work in an interesting and creative way. This helps them to retain the vital information they themselves are discovering as part of the work, and apply it correctly in their exams.

Head of Art and Design Nicola Perrott said: “This was a wonderful exhibition created with the help of outside artists like Anna Uhr Delia and Marc Farrell, photographer Andy Carter and make up artist Karen Rigby and animator, Dave Hasell.

“We have created some wonderful artworks, including pieces from a workshop with members of the Dartmouth and Kingswear Fine Art Society, some inspiring animations and a brilliant performance that delighted our visitors. But perhaps more importantly we helped these students understand the story, characters and themes of Macbeth more deeply, and become more involved in their studies thanks to our innovative ways of working.

“Everyone involved in this project is rightly proud of the students and the fantastic work they have created.”

Students ready to perform their version of Macbeth

Matt Bakewell, head of English at the Academy said: “It was a wonderful exhibition and I am very proud of the students who performed so well in front of a large crowd. For some of them it was their first ever public drama performance and I think everyone who saw it will agree it was a very fun and professional performance.”

A student with hIs character poster behind

Nick Hindmarsh, Dartmouth Academy Principal said: “This innovative and collaborative project shows what can be achieved by staff who are creative and inspirational working within the flexible environment of Dartmouth Academy – we are delighted with the work produced and believe this way of working helps the students to learn and be totally engaged in their learning.”

Dartmouth Medical Practice Team “Strengthening diabetic care in Dartmouth” by Sharing Expertise

Dr Andrew Eynon-Lewis and Sister Heidi Constance

Dartmouth Medical Practice has announced a new drive to make sure all those with diabetes are regularly checked.

And the practice is using all the expertise at its disposal to give the best care for the condition. This means that extra training has been given to all members of the medical practice clinical team – meaning that patients don’t have to travel to Torbay for appointments when they are first placed on insulin.

The Medical Practice currently has more than 350 patients with diabetes: a figure that is predicted to increase. To address the challenges that diabetes presents the DMP has reviewed how it delivers care to patients with diabetes.

Leading this initiative is Sister Heidi Constance, Practice Diabetic nurse, and Dr  Andrew Eynon-Lewis, who have been involved in national initiatives designed to promote diabetic care in the community.

Dr Eynon Lewis said this was a great development for diabetes care in Dartmouth.

“To meet the challenge we face because of the increase in diabetes, patients and health care workers need to work together to share knowledge and expertise in a meaningful way,” he said. “We have reviewed the way we engage with diabetes.

“The result is a strengthening of the organisational aspects of care which includes the establishment of a monthly diabetic clinic run jointly by Heidi and myself for those patients requiring extra input and a  ‘skilling up’ of the whole clinical team involved in delivering diabetic care, which importantly includes the facility to start patients on insulin, preventing the need travel to Torbay.“

“Providing more advanced diabetic care closer to home is in-step with the health service reforms and  builds on the work done by  Practice Nurse Chris Drew many years ago,” said Sister Constance.

“The vast majority of patients will be contacted by us as a matter for course thanks to our existing follow up system and will be contacted by the surgery for their diabetic reviews.

Patients who are concerned about their diabetes  are advised to contact Heidi at the Medical Practice on 01803 832 212.

Social Media “Code” Leads Dartmouth Academy Students on Hi-Tech Route to Maths Learning

Callum Slaney, Anthony Newby, teacher Ben Rule, Lewis Willey, Amy Tope and Louis Elson with the QR codes and their devices for reading them

Dartmouth Academy’s Maths department are using innovative and hi-tech ways to engage students in learning.

The Academy has a high percentage of students with iPads, iPhones and other technological gadgets, and its teachers are starting to use them in lessons more and more.

Teacher Ben Rule gave GCSE students a challenge – to use special “QR” codes as the clues in a Maths question treasure hunt.

“QR” codes can be scanned by smartphones and iPads to bring up any kind of information – they are used in marketing to give links to maps, special information and websites.

Ben created special QR codes that gave pairs of students’ equations to solve and took them to the next clue.  This interesting and novel way of presenting the students with equations and problems got them hooked.

Fellow teacher Alec Titterton has also been using the QR codes: this time to link students to videos he has created on website Youtube which give guidance and tips on Maths problems.

There are plans to develop the use of the codes even further.

“It was a great way of allowing the students to solve problems, work together and use the technology in a new way to engage with Maths,” said Ben, a graduate of Oxford University. “We are interested in helping students to discover Maths in new and exciting ways which will interest them. This technology is still emerging and we look forward to using it in new ways to help students learn about Maths.”

Year 10 student Joe Beech said he really liked the links to the videos – and that they were helping him to revise.

“I really liked the YouTube videos Mr Titterton put on there,” he said. “They really helped me out a lot and I think it is a brilliant idea. The videos helped a lot more than a revision guide does because he explained everything and it was just like a one to one but at home.”

Dartmouth Academy Principal Nick Hindmarsh said: “Technology is a big part of the modern world and I am delighted to see the Maths department using it in such an innovative way to engage students. Making subjects relevant and interesting to students is a vital part of teaching and I’m pleased that when it is appropriate all our teachers here are now embracing technology to do that. I observed a number of these lessons and it was wonderful to see the students so engaged in their studies.”

Consultation on Dartmouth Academy Plans Open to All

Dartmouth Academy and Leadbitter, the contractor responsible for its £8.5million rebuild, are asking for the public’s views about their plans at a special event on Thursday May 24th.

The event will allow Leadbitter to gauge the thoughts of the public on their proposals for the look and feel of the brand new academy, which will begin construction in September.

Open in the Academy’s main hall from 3.45pm till 8pm, the event will be the public’s first opportunity to see in detail what is proposed for the All-Through Academy. The architects and the Academy are particularly interested in parents’ and potential parents’ views on the build and the facilities they want to see.

The build will include many high tech and ecologically friendly elements, along with a new library and a restaurant designed by Mitch Tonks  – which will be used by learners for their lunches during the day.

At the event members of the design team and the Academy’s Senior Leadership Team will be on hand to answer any questions about the new facilities or discuss the build itself.

Dartmouth Academy business manager Simon Rushton said: “We are delighted be able to hold an event to share our ideas with people and to listen to theirs.  The input of the community is vital to ensuring we create the best possible facilities for Dartmouth and its community.

“This is the largest investment in Dartmouth’s education services ever – we want to make sure we get it right. So please come and let us know what you think.”

Gardentime Visit Fun for Dartmouth Academy Learners

Learners with Gemma Bolwell (back left) Kate Taylor (back second right) and Chris Varlow (back far right)

Dartmouth Academy learners have been having fun choosing plants after Gardentime Centre donated £100 to the Academy Gardening club.

Owner Chris Varlow decided to generously donate to the club after hearing about the good work is has been doing promoting gardening to children, and that it was always looking for support.

Kate Taylor, Director of Learning  - knowledge and understanding of the world – at the Academy, has been running the gardening the after school club for five years.

The School allotment has produced many crops, including a number of vegetables that have been used to produce soups for school events and flowers that have been handed to mothers on Mother’s Day.

This group has now been joined by groups from the Alternative Curriculum Education Group, organized by Gemma Bolwell – with both Primary and Secondary Age children involved on a few sites around the Academy grounds.

All these groups had representatives who went down to Gardentime on Wednesday May 9 to chose which plants, seeds and other items to take back to the Academy. The children were given a strict budget each and had to make some tough choices between grown plants, seeds and other interesting gardening equipment.

“The children were so excited and are now motivated to grow the plants they had chosen,” said Kate. “We are aiming to give each class their own area for gardening, so that we can see a boost throughout the Academy and give every year an area to focus on. For the ACE group it was a fantastic trip to stimulate them in a real world scenario, using their creativeness and also maths skills to make sure they stuck to their individual budget.”

Chris Varlow of Gardentime said: “We found out through one of the teachers that the academy had a gardening club and thought it would be helpful to sponsor them with some free plants, seeds and compost. We have supported other local schools in previous years and it’s great to get the children out of school for a few hours to visit our garden centre to develop their knowledge of plants. It’s an early interest in gardening that may well turn into a career for one or two of these children.

“The children all had a great time choosing their plants and their seeds to sow, they were all give a part of the budget to spend so they ended up with a Maths lesson too!”

The Gardening Clubs are still looking for support to get hold of more gardening equipment – if anyone thinks they can help please contact Kate Taylor Kathryn.Taylor@dartmouthacademy.org.uk.

‘Labour of Love’ Dartmouth History Book Launched at ‘Fantastic Evening’

Dartmouth Mayor Paul Allen, Author Phil Scoble and Publisher Richard Webb at the Launch of the Chronicles of Dartmouth 1955-2010. Credit Dave Cawley

The Chronicles of Dartmouth: 1955-2010, a lavishly illustrated book on the historic South Devon town, was launched at a glittering evening held in the Flavel Arts Centre on April 26.

The launch included the unveiling of the book by Dartmouth Mayor Paul Allen and was attended by many eminent people from Dartmouth and the South Hams – many of whom are featured in this fascinating book.

Chairman of South Hams District Council Councillor Rufus Gilbert, former Britannia Royal Naval College Commodores Robin Shiffner and Jake Moores along with Sir Geoffrey and Lady Mary Newman rubbed shoulders with Dartmothians who have all helped to create the fascinating and often dramatic history outlined in the book.

More than 200 attended the launch.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The book is based on more than five decades of events covered by the town’s weekly newspaper the Dartmouth Chronicle, and features more than 30 special spreads on specific subjects.

The former Dartmouth Chronicle reporter Phil Scoble has been working on producing the book since September 2007. He has read more than 3,000 newspapers and spent more than 3,000 hours writing and editing this accessible and fun modern history.

Phil gave an illustrated lecture on the recent history of Dartmouth, featuring video, music and many funny, touching and shocking stories featured in the book.

“It was a wonderful night and after more than four years its brilliant to be published!” said Phil. “I feel privileged to have had the chance to write this history of the most beautiful town in the South West. It has been a labour of love both for Richard and myself. I hope it sells well!”

World-record breaking Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady publisher Richard Webb has created his own publishing niche in his hometown of Dartmouth starting in 2000 when he published the first Chronicles of Dartmouth 1854-1954, written by Don Collinson.

Since then has brought out ten bestselling books about the town and area, covering its beauty, history and even its restaurants – the Chronicles of Dartmouth 1955 – 2010 is his eleventh local publication.

“My life and family will always be inexorably linked with Dartmouth,” he said. “This book covers almost the entire span of my adult life and I have personal experience of many of the events in it. It has been a fantastic, nostalgic and interesting journey to come to this point and I hope that people will enjoy reading it as much as Phil and I have enjoyed preparing it for publication. We are very proud of it.”

Chronicles… was written by Phil Scoble and is published by Richard Webb. Its 300 pages contain more than 600 illustrations and world-renowned artist Simon Drew has written the Foreword to the book.

The book can be bought at White Sails Gallery, the Community Bookshop, the Tourist Information Centre and the National Trust Shop in Dartmouth.

For more details check out Richard Webb’s website www.dartmouthbooks.co.uk.