Students to appear in BBC TV programme

Tavistock College students are to appear in a BBC TV show after spending a day as Edwardian children.

The 15 Year 8 boys filmed an episode of forthcoming series Edwardian Farm – a follow up to the successful Victorian Farm – at Morwellham Quay after local environmental group Westden recommended the college.

Sue Jerrett, who accompanied the students to the shoot, said: “It was a great day and the lads were an absolute credit to the college; they rose to the occasion on all counts. “The actors and film crew said they had never worked with such a fantastic bunch of kids and each take was a success first time.”

The students were filmed in a typical Edwardian school lesson, including writing on slates, being caned and standing in the corner for fidgeting.

The boys then picked potatoes in a wet and muddy field before sorting them in a barn.

Teacher Pete Keegan, who transported the students and photographed the day, said: “They were selected due to their excellent enthusiasm for history. They had a fantastic time dressing up in period costumes and being taught in a strict Edwardian classroom while the cameras rolled. “The students gained a very valuable insight into Edwardian life and really embraced the opportunity. They literally transformed into Edwardian farmers, taking the tasks very seriously, and thrived on the learning experience.”

The series is scheduled to appear on BBC2 from November 18 in 12 weekly episodes. Tavistock College’s students will appear in episode 11.

A book will be released to accompany the series which will feature photographs taken by Mr Keegan.

Tavistock College awarded top marks in exceptional health and safety report

Tavistock College received 100% in a glowing report from Devon County Council following its latest health and safety inspection.

The college was awarded top marks in its Health and Safety Management Review which measures the extent to which it complies with current health and safety legislation and Devon County Council's policies.

Devon County Council health and safety adviser Joseph Wood said: “The score achieved speaks for itself in terms of the ongoing commitment given to the management of health and safety at the college.”

Tony Gilbert, estates and facilities manager, said he was extremely pleased with the report and thankful for all the help and cooperation he received from colleagues.

He continued: “We had 94 per cent two years ago, 97% last year and now 100%. The college has always had good marks for health and safety and in the last three years the staff have excelled in their cooperation and commitment and really worked with us.

“The report highlights the safe environment for staff and students, as well as the quality of instructions given to students for the use of equipment.”

The report highlighted health and safety policies which were reviewed annually and said the proper arrangements were in place for dealing with both on and off site emergencies.

Mandy Govier, chair of governors, commented: “To receive such a fantastic health and safety report for the college is a superb achievement. Our congratulations go to the Estates Team who all work extremely hard to maintain the safety of the college, its grounds and most importantly the students and staff within the college.”

Students celebrate GCSE success

Tavistock College GCSE students are celebrating after gaining the results they need to take A levels at the school’s sixth form.

The 15 and 16-year-olds studied for exams in 37 subjects, with 19 of those courses recording 100% pass rates and over 90% of music, physics and chemistry students gaining at least a C.

Assistant director of sixth form Pete Keegan congratulated the students and said he looked forward to welcoming them when they returned to study A levels in September. “There have been some fantastic results from some very talented students,” he continued. “It is clear they have worked extremely hard and should be very proud of their achievement. I am very much looking forward to seeing the year group develop over the next two years.”

A total of 42 students achieved at least five A*s or As, with Lottie Allen, Lizzie Clarkson, Beni Evans, Lara Hopkins, Katy Hyde, Hannah Keane, Elsie Kirby, Yasmine Rich and Ciaran Stoker all gaining ten or more.

Jack Glover and Ed Longden both worked extremely hard to secure straight A*s and As. Ed, who achieved eight A*s and four As, said: “I did a lot of work but it seems to have paid off and I’m coming back to Tavistock for sixth form to do history, Japanese, maths and English literature. I would like to study law at university and maybe become a barrister.”

Jack gained five A*s and five As and was also very happy with his results. “It was what I was expecting because I worked really hard,” he commented. “I’m going to do chemistry, physics, maths, further maths and sports studies. I’ve got a university course in mind: sports technology at Loughborough, which needs AAB at A level.”

In line with the national picture, girls outperformed boys with 57% of females achieving at least five A* to C grades including English and maths, while the percentage for both boys and girls was 48%. A total of 57% of students gained at least five Cs in any subject.

Japanese students all passed their GCSE with 20% securing an A* and 26% an A, meaning many will stay on to take the language at A level.

Lizzie Clarkson achieved three A*s, five As, two Bs and an E and will now study Japanese alongside English language, English literature, history and sociology, while Beni Evans, who gained six A*s, four As and a B, will combine the language with English literature, performance studies and Buddhism and philosophy. “I’m very pleased and very surprised; I didn’t expect the results,” he said. “I worked quite hard and I’m looking forward to sixth form; it’s going to be good.”

GCSE maths results rose from 59% gaining at least a C last year to 65% this year, and 98.5% of students passed with an A* to G.

English language saw 99.6% achieve at least a G, while English literature was at 99.1%.

Kirsten Smith said she was overwhelmed after achieving an A*, eight As, a B and a D. “It’s what I was expecting so I’m very happy,” she said. “I want to come back to Tavistock College to do A levels in maths, physics, biology and chemistry so I can go on to do medicine at university.”

Yasmine Rich’s two A*s, eight As, a B and a D secured a place at Tavistock College’s sixth form to take A levels in history, law, media, English literature and French, while Elsie Kirby’s five A*s, five As and a C mean she will study three sciences, maths and geography.

Beth Neave, who achieved six As, two Bs and two Cs, said: “I’m so happy it’s ridiculous. It’s brilliant; I’m going to do sports studies, English language, media studies, sociology and law. I would maybe like to go into the navy but I’m keeping my options open and doing subjects I like.”

Helen Salmon, who will take over as acting principal in September, said she was confident the changes to the curriculum and new systems would result in a rapid improvement of GCSE results next year.

“Tavistock College has many strengths and there is the capacity for it to become an outstanding school in the future,” she added.

A level students secure Oxbridge places with strings of top grades

Tavistock College A level students have secured places at the country’s top institutions after once more increasing their average UCAS points scores.

The college entered a record 186 students for A levels, between them achieving 90 As and 35 A*s – making up 25% of the total grades.

Phil Mathieson, assistant principal, said: “The college is delighted to see so many students achieve fantastic A level results, maintaining the high level of academic achievement in the sixth form. These excellent results are a reflection of the hard work and effort put in by students and staff over the last two years. There were some stunning individual performances and all of our Oxbridge, medicine and veterinary medicine candidates have been successful in securing their places at prestigious institutions.”

Mr Mathieson’s sentiments were echoed by Helen Salmon who will take over as the college’s acting principal in September. “These excellent A level results reflect the rapid improvements happening at Tavistock College and are a sign that students can achieve the very best,” she commented.

Owen Drage will study veterinary medicine at St Catherine’s College, Cambridge having earned four A*s and one A. He said he was really pleased and was looking forward to starting. “It took a lot of work,” he continued. “I didn’t need five A levels but I enjoyed the two extra subjects the most.”

Jack Shepherd will read physics at Hertford College, Oxford after gaining an A* and two As and Camilla Longden has achieved a place on the natural sciences degree course at Downing College, Cambridge with three A*s. She said: “I’m absolutely over the moon; I’m really, really happy. There was lots of hard work for the exams but it was definitely worthwhile. I’m looking forward to starting as the course looks really interesting.”

Tavistock College students achieved a 100% pass rate in 19 subjects, with half of the grades awarded at A* to B and 75% of grades at A* to C across all courses.

Ian Barnes, director of sixth form, said he was absolutely delighted at the students' results which gave them the chance of getting into their university of choice, especially given the competitive national picture.

Jessica Cooke achieved A*s in maths, law and business. “I’m going to Sheffield to study social policy and criminology,” she said. “I’m so happy I’m crying. I wasn’t expecting it at all; I was expecting three Bs.”

Tom Ludwig also upped his grades after working hard for the exams. “I got 100% in two exams in law and business,” he said. “I was forecast Bs and I put in a lot of work and really revised hard and managed to get two As and a B overall. I’m absolutely delighted and it means I can go to my first choice which is Reading to study war, peace and international relations.”

Jenni Kates achieved two A*s and an A, meaning she will study psychology with business at Glasgow University, while Josh Evans’ three As secured him a place at Bristol to study medicine following a gap year. Josh said: “I’m very happy. I’m looking forward to the music scene and I’m hoping to get some gigs there for my band.” Josh’s Indigo Nights bandmate James Tosdevin gained two As and a B and has a place to study popular music and communications at Liverpool in 2012. “I’m going to work and travel to India with Josh for my gap year,” he said. “I’m really pleased with my results; they were what I was expecting but it’s still nice.”

Students with straight A*s and As:

Jade Baskerville A*AA
James Brimble A*A*A
Alice Conn A*A*A*
Jessica Cooke A*A*A*
Owen Drage A*A*A*A*A
Josh Evans AAA
Catherine Goswell A*A*AA
Hannah Hake AAAA
Jenni Kates A*A*A
Camilla Longden A*A*A*A
Rebecca Lumley A*A*AA
Andrew McKenzie A*AA
Cameron Nicol AA
Tom Rodgers AAA
Jack Shepherd A*AA
Gemma Spry A*AA
Megan Cunningham three distinctions

Jazz Band Labelled “a credit to the college” Following Summer Concert

Tavistock College musicians were left overwhelmed by the community’s response to their summer concert.

Jazz in the Park became Jazz in the Abbey Chapel when a downpour forced a last-minute change of venue but failed to dampen the students’ enthusiasm.

Head of music Sarah Pappin said: “The concert was about trying to promote links between the college and community and making local people aware of the good work going on.

“There has been a lot of talk about the jazz band so it gave the community and parents the chance to see for themselves. The reactions have been quite overwhelming. We’ve had lots of cards, emails and phone calls. I think we underestimated the impact it would have on the community. They are rapidly becoming one of the most recognised school jazz bands in the county.”

One local who enjoyed the concert wrote to the band and told them: "You are all a credit to Tavistock College and a very good advertisement for excellence in education."

The event was also a way of congratulating ‘lead learners’ for their hard work throughout the year, positive attitude and help they gave to other students.

Miss Pappin said it was really nice for them to hear the band because they never usually performed to their peers.

“It gives them something to aspire to and makes them think they can do it. It’s about saying you can,” she added.

Music teacher Alex Jennings formed the band because the department wanted an ensemble in which lots of people could play.

“We wanted to give an opportunity for people who play different instruments to perform music they enjoy,” he explained. “Unlike traditional orchestras which read music, our students stand up and have memorised it and improvise. Even though it’s rehearsed it’s different every time and I allocate people solos as we go along so it’s quite exciting.”

The Tavistock College Jazz Band will perform at Kilworthy Farm on September 9 and 10 as part of a four-day festival and will be filmed by the BBC.

Students Engage with Languages Through World Cup Competition

A victorious class enjoyed a fun pool party in the last week of term after backing Spain to win the World Cup.

Tutor group 8F splashed around in the college’s swimming pool and celebrated with party food after drawing the winners in a sweepstake designed to encourage an interest in language learning and physical fitness.

Head of language specialism Anna Mills said: “As a specialist language college we like to keep an eye on events around the globe and thought the World Cup finals would be a perfect opportunity to combine language learning with sport.

“Head of PE Tristan Forster and I thought a sweepstake for tutor groups in Years 7 to 9 would be a fun and innovative way of engaging students' interests in the country they had drawn and the physical training and conditioning the players must go through to compete at this level. We encouraged tutors to research their country during morning registration and to find out all about its location, language, culture, religions, food and fashion. Although England didn't win, 8F were delighted to have drawn Spain and enjoyed a swim and celebration party to mark the occasion, to the cheers of Viva Espana!"

The students thanked the organisers and their tutor Rhia Strafford for putting on the event.

“It was great fun,” they said. “It was wet - but warm - the food was yummy and it was an exciting way to end the day.”