Headteacher’s Welcome
It is my great pleasure to welcome you to Coombeshead Academy, a proud member of Education South West and a school at the heart of Newton Abbot, committed to helping every student flourish. Choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make, and I want to reassure you that at Coombeshead we are dedicated to caring for, challenging, and inspiring every young person who joins our community.
At Coombeshead, our mission is clear: “Together We Grow, Together We Achieve.” We live this daily through our values – Belong. Believe. Become. – and through the simple expectations of the Coombeshead Way: Turn up and be ready. Work hard. Be nice. These principles guide every part of school life and help ensure that our students thrive both academically and personally.
We are proud of the strong foundations that define us:
- Great Teaching – Our students benefit from exceptional teachers and a broad, ambitious curriculum. Every lesson is designed to challenge, inspire, and support, enabling young people to achieve their very best. The quality of teaching and learning at Coombeshead is a strength we are immensely proud of, and it is a key reason why we are now one of the highest-achieving schools in the area.
- Routines and High Expectations – Our systems create a safe, purposeful, and focused environment where every student can thrive. With consistency, respect, and encouragement, we maximise learning time and build positive habits that prepare students for life beyond school.
- Enrichment and Opportunity – Life at Coombeshead extends far beyond the classroom. Students have access to an extensive range of opportunities including sport, music, drama, and the school show, as well as clubs such as science, art, and debate. We are proud of our leadership pathways too, with roles such as school council representatives, tour guides, reading buddies, and anti-bullying ambassadors. Regular trips and visits – from local experiences to national and international travel – broaden horizons and create memories that last a lifetime.
Our commitment goes beyond academic achievement. We are passionate about nurturing the whole child: helping students to grow in confidence, resilience, and independence while learning the importance of teamwork, respect, and community. That’s why we invest in innovative strategies such as Lesson 6, where Year 11 students stay for an additional hour of tailored teaching and support every day to prepare them fully for their GCSEs. This, alongside our outstanding curriculum and dedicated staff, ensures that every child has the support they need to succeed.
Our values of Belong, Believe, Become are at the heart of this journey:
- Belong – Every student is part of Team Coombeshead. From the moment they arrive, they are welcomed into a supportive community where friendships are built, differences are celebrated, and no one is left behind.
- Believe – We encourage every student to know “you can achieve!” Our staff nurture confidence and resilience, so that students learn to persevere, take risks, and believe in their own potential.
- Become – We inspire ambition. Whether a student dreams of university, a particular career, success in sport, or pursuing the arts, we want them to become the best version of themselves, leaving us with the skills, qualifications, and self-belief to take the next step with pride.
As a member of Education South West, we benefit from the expertise and collaboration of a family of schools while retaining our unique identity and close connection to the Newton Abbot community. This combination ensures that our students receive both the personalised support of a local school and the wider opportunities that come from being part of a forward-thinking trust.
At Coombeshead Academy, you will find a welcoming and inclusive environment where every child is cared for as an individual, challenged to be their best, and celebrated for who they are. We look forward to working in partnership with you to ensure your child grows into a confident, well-educated, and well-rounded young person, fully prepared for the exciting opportunities ahead.
Helen Coulson
Headteacher
Coombeshead Academy
Latest News
View allWhat a week away for the students (and staff) who went on the Bay of Naples trip! The group arrived safely in Sorrento on the Tuesday evening and had a few hours to explore the lemon themed shops.
Wednesday started with a trip to Pompeii with an expert guide who took as through the remarkable excavations that are still ongoing. The temperature was very high but the students coped really well with the heat. In the afternoon we hiked to the crater of Mt Vesuvius, which was responsible for the devastation in Pompeii and last erupted in 1944 - luckily no sign of any activity on the day! In the evening we had time to enjoy a swim at our our accommodation and watch the football...
Thursday was a boat trip around the Sorrento peninsula, to the rather wealthy (and expensive) coastal towns of Positano and Amalfi. The views along the coastline were stunning and the fresh breeze on the boat a welcome relief from the heat! In the evening we stayed in Sorrento to eat out and enjoy freshly made gelato.
Friday was an early start to pack up and head to the centre of Naples, where we explored underground Naples - a collection of tunnels and caverns originally dug by the Greeks to create an underground water supply and also used as bomb shelters in World War 2. We had time for a little street food before heading off to the airport to fly home arriving back at school around 12.30am - a long day but a fantastic trip and the students did the school proud.
What a week away for the students (and staff) who went on the Bay of Naples trip! The group arrived safely in Sorrento on the Tuesday evening and had a few hours to explore the lemon themed shops. Wednesday started with a trip to Pompeii with an expert guide who took as through the remarkable excavations that are still ongoing. The temperature was very high but the students coped really well with the heat. In the afternoon we hiked to the crater of Mt Vesuvius, which was responsible for the devastation in Pompeii and last erupted in 1944 - luckily no sign of any activity on the day! In the evening we had time to enjoy a swim at our our accommodation and watch the football... Thursday was a boat trip around the Sorrento peninsula, to the rather wealthy (and expensive) coastal towns of Positano and Amalfi. The views along the coastline were stunning and the fresh breeze on the boat a welcome relief from the heat! In the evening we stayed in Sorrento to eat out and enjoy freshly made gelato. Friday was an early start to pack up and head to the centre of Naples, where we explored underground Naples - a collection of tunnels and caverns originally dug by the Greeks to create an underground water supply and also used as bomb shelters in World War 2. We had time for a little street food before heading off to the airport to fly home arriving back at school around 12.30am - a long day but a fantastic trip and the students did the school proud.
🍃The time is ticking until the summer break begins and my goodness, haven't the staff and students earnt their break! On site, this week consisted of 10 mile walks, festival of sport, and classroom building games, which really highlighted our students' resilience, perseverance, and wonderful nature (we only had a few moans on that last half mile...🙃). There are TONNES of photos to come once all the trips are back so keep an eye out but for now, look at the year 8's go! Being in the Devon, we did have an obligatory run in with a bull on our travels but luckily Mr Doxford kept us safe 🐄
🍃The time is ticking until the summer break begins and my goodness, haven't the staff and students earnt their break! On site, this week consisted of 10 mile walks, festival of sport, and classroom building games, which really highlighted our students' resilience, perseverance, and wonderful nature (we only had a few moans on that last half mile...🙃). There are TONNES of photos to come once all the trips are back so keep an eye out but for now, look at the year 8's go! Being in the Devon, we did have an obligatory run in with a bull on our travels but luckily Mr Doxford kept us safe 🐄
🏆The Festival of Sport scores are in and the winners are:
🥇Year 7: Ali 🥇
🥇Year 8: Ali 🥇
🥇Year 9: Franklin 🥇
🥇Year 10: Einstein 🥇
🏆Our Festival of Sport was a fantastic three-day event, with each year group enjoying a dedicated day of sporting activities on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday🏆
🏆Throughout the festival, students took part in a wide variety of sports, including Rounders, Volleyball, Fitness, Badminton, Softball, Swimming and Dodgeball. The event provided an excellent opportunity for students to experience different activities, develop new skills and challenge themselves in a fun and supportive environment🏆
🏆Across all three days, students demonstrated enthusiasm, determination and excellent teamwork, while developing a wide range of sporting skills and characteristics, including communication, resilience, leadership and respect. It was wonderful to see so many students encouraging one another, embracing new challenges and giving their very best throughout each activity🏆
🏆The Festival of Sport was a great success, with students thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to stay active, work together and celebrate the benefits of physical activity. Well done to everyone who took part and contributed to making the event such an enjoyable and memorable experience. The beautiful weather added to the atmosphere, and students were able to enjoy an ice cream while cheering on their classmates and celebrating their achievements🏆
🏆A huge thank you goes to Newton Abbot Rugby Club for generously allowing us to use their excellent facilities to host the event. Their support played a key role in making the day such a memorable occasion and we couldn’t have done it without such support from the local community🏆@newtonAbbotRugbyClub #newtonabbotrugbyclub #localsupport
🏆Well done again to every student who took part. Your enthusiasm, resilience and team spirit made this year's House Olympics another tremendous success, and we are already looking forward to next year's event!🏆
🏆The Festival of Sport scores are in and the winners are: 🥇Year 7: Ali 🥇 🥇Year 8: Ali 🥇 🥇Year 9: Franklin 🥇 🥇Year 10: Einstein 🥇 🏆Our Festival of Sport was a fantastic three-day event, with each year group enjoying a dedicated day of sporting activities on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday🏆 🏆Throughout the festival, students took part in a wide variety of sports, including Rounders, Volleyball, Fitness, Badminton, Softball, Swimming and Dodgeball. The event provided an excellent opportunity for students to experience different activities, develop new skills and challenge themselves in a fun and supportive environment🏆 🏆Across all three days, students demonstrated enthusiasm, determination and excellent teamwork, while developing a wide range of sporting skills and characteristics, including communication, resilience, leadership and respect. It was wonderful to see so many students encouraging one another, embracing new challenges and giving their very best throughout each activity🏆 🏆The Festival of Sport was a great success, with students thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to stay active, work together and celebrate the benefits of physical activity. Well done to everyone who took part and contributed to making the event such an enjoyable and memorable experience. The beautiful weather added to the atmosphere, and students were able to enjoy an ice cream while cheering on their classmates and celebrating their achievements🏆 🏆A huge thank you goes to Newton Abbot Rugby Club for generously allowing us to use their excellent facilities to host the event. Their support played a key role in making the day such a memorable occasion and we couldn’t have done it without such support from the local community🏆@newtonAbbotRugbyClub #newtonabbotrugbyclub #localsupport 🏆Well done again to every student who took part. Your enthusiasm, resilience and team spirit made this year's House Olympics another tremendous success, and we are already looking forward to next year's event!🏆
We jumped out of the classroom and into sport’s day like🏃♀️🥏😀🏅 Some wonderful photos will be with you this afternoon, but we wanted to celebrate a few clips of our wonderful students in action at the amazing Newton Abbot Rugby Club (more on this amazing club, later)! With the heat, we felt in necessary to swap traditional athletic running races out for a range of team games and activities instead, allowing them to moderate their level of exertion more effectively and take appropriate breaks when needed. And wow!! Did they do us proud🥰 just look at them GO!🏏🥍🏆
We jumped out of the classroom and into sport’s day like🏃♀️🥏😀🏅 Some wonderful photos will be with you this afternoon, but we wanted to celebrate a few clips of our wonderful students in action at the amazing Newton Abbot Rugby Club (more on this amazing club, later)! With the heat, we felt in necessary to swap traditional athletic running races out for a range of team games and activities instead, allowing them to moderate their level of exertion more effectively and take appropriate breaks when needed. And wow!! Did they do us proud🥰 just look at them GO!🏏🥍🏆
🎶🎸On Saturday 11th July, the Coombeshead Academy Soul Band were invited to perform at the 'Party in the Park' in Chudleigh, which is part of the town’s current festival, Chudfest 🎶🎸
🎶🎸Their performance was excellent as they played a strong set to a large crowd in the wonderful sunshine: again, highlighting how confident and boundary pushing our students are ❤️ After their performance, the people attending the event came and spoke to the pupils about how much they enjoyed their performance and were commenting on how they perform to such a high standard🎶🎸Did any of you attend this wonderful local event? We would love to know🎶🎸
Once again, our musicians represented the school in a professional and admirable way, and we are SO proud!
🎶🎸On Saturday 11th July, the Coombeshead Academy Soul Band were invited to perform at the 'Party in the Park' in Chudleigh, which is part of the town’s current festival, Chudfest 🎶🎸 🎶🎸Their performance was excellent as they played a strong set to a large crowd in the wonderful sunshine: again, highlighting how confident and boundary pushing our students are ❤️ After their performance, the people attending the event came and spoke to the pupils about how much they enjoyed their performance and were commenting on how they perform to such a high standard🎶🎸Did any of you attend this wonderful local event? We would love to know🎶🎸 Once again, our musicians represented the school in a professional and admirable way, and we are SO proud!