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 all👨🎨Year 11 CREATE PPE Examinations👨🎨
We would like to wish all of our Year 11 CREATE students the very best as they prepare for their upcoming PPE (mock) examinations. These assessments are an excellent opportunity for students to showcase the skills, creativity and knowledge they have developed throughout their courses, while gaining valuable experience ahead of their final GCSE examinations.
Please make a note of the following exam dates:
Photography
Tuesday 20th October
Periods 3, 4 & 5
(Mr Eyre)
Art & Design
Thursday 22nd October
Periods 2, 3 & 4
(Miss Clifford)
3D Design
Thursday 22nd October
Periods 3, 4 & 5
(Mrs Parr)
Textiles
Thursday 22nd October
Periods 3, 4 & 5
(Mrs Williams)
We are incredibly proud of the dedication and commitment our students have shown so far. We encourage all students to attend fully prepared, bring the necessary materials, and approach these assessments with confidence and ambition.
Good luck, Year 11! We look forward to seeing your creativity and hard work shine through!
👨🎨Year 11 CREATE PPE Examinations👨🎨 We would like to wish all of our Year 11 CREATE students the very best as they prepare for their upcoming PPE (mock) examinations. These assessments are an excellent opportunity for students to showcase the skills, creativity and knowledge they have developed throughout their courses, while gaining valuable experience ahead of their final GCSE examinations. Please make a note of the following exam dates: PhotographyTuesday 20th OctoberPeriods 3, 4 & 5(Mr Eyre) Art & DesignThursday 22nd OctoberPeriods 2, 3 & 4(Miss Clifford) 3D DesignThursday 22nd OctoberPeriods 3, 4 & 5(Mrs Parr) TextilesThursday 22nd OctoberPeriods 3, 4 & 5(Mrs Williams) We are incredibly proud of the dedication and commitment our students have shown so far. We encourage all students to attend fully prepared, bring the necessary materials, and approach these assessments with confidence and ambition. Good luck, Year 11! We look forward to seeing your creativity and hard work shine through!
The year 9 football team started their football season on a high winning their first National Cup Football game against a strong Plympton team. The guys played some great attacking football. Well done to all involved!!
The year 9 football team started their football season on a high winning their first National Cup Football game against a strong Plympton team. The guys played some great attacking football. Well done to all involved!!
Coombeshead Academy Gives Students the Spotlight with Sixth Form Instagram Takeover
A student at Coombeshead Sixth Form College, is taking over the school’s sixth form Instagram account to give prospective students an authentic, student-led glimpse into life at the sixth form.
Year 13 student Ruby is taking the reins of @coombesheadsixthformcollege, sharing her experience of sixth form through Instagram posts and stories throughout the day.
From what a typical day looks like to the activities, experiences and opportunities available to students, the takeover offers a behind-the-scenes look at sixth form life directly from a student’s perspective.
The takeover gives Ruby and her fellow students the opportunity to showcase the things they enjoy about Sixth Form, while helping future students get a genuine feel for what it is like to be part of the Coombeshead community.
The takeover comes as Coombeshead Academy continues to welcome prospective students and their families to the school, with an upcoming open mornings taking place on Thursday the 8th of October, from 9.30am to 11.30am.
The open morning provides an opportunity to see the school in action, explore its facilities, meet staff and student tour guides, and experience the school community first-hand. Places must be booked in advance via www.ticketsource.com/coombeshead.
James Thomas, head of sixth form at Coombeshead Sixth Form College said:
“Sixth form is such an important time for our students, and there is no better way for prospective students to understand what life here is really like than by hearing directly from the young people who are experiencing it.
“Ruby’s takeover gives her the opportunity to share her own experience, from the everyday moments of Sixth Form life to the opportunities and experiences that make Coombeshead such a special place to study.”
Ruby said:
“The role I have been given at Sixth form has really helped me get more involved in the school and strengthen my bonds with other students and teachers. I’m so grateful that the school entrusted me to take on this important role, and I hope it brings the attention that the sixth form deserves.”
Coombeshead Academy Gives Students the Spotlight with Sixth Form Instagram Takeover A student at Coombeshead Sixth Form College, is taking over the school’s sixth form Instagram account to give prospective students an authentic, student-led glimpse into life at the sixth form. Year 13 student Ruby is taking the reins of @coombesheadsixthformcollege, sharing her experience of sixth form through Instagram posts and stories throughout the day. From what a typical day looks like to the activities, experiences and opportunities available to students, the takeover offers a behind-the-scenes look at sixth form life directly from a student’s perspective. The takeover gives Ruby and her fellow students the opportunity to showcase the things they enjoy about Sixth Form, while helping future students get a genuine feel for what it is like to be part of the Coombeshead community. The takeover comes as Coombeshead Academy continues to welcome prospective students and their families to the school, with an upcoming open mornings taking place on Thursday the 8th of October, from 9.30am to 11.30am. The open morning provides an opportunity to see the school in action, explore its facilities, meet staff and student tour guides, and experience the school community first-hand. Places must be booked in advance via www.ticketsource.com/coombeshead. James Thomas, head of sixth form at Coombeshead Sixth Form College said: “Sixth form is such an important time for our students, and there is no better way for prospective students to understand what life here is really like than by hearing directly from the young people who are experiencing it. “Ruby’s takeover gives her the opportunity to share her own experience, from the everyday moments of Sixth Form life to the opportunities and experiences that make Coombeshead such a special place to study.” Ruby said: “The role I have been given at Sixth form has really helped me get more involved in the school and strengthen my bonds with other students and teachers. I’m so grateful that the school entrusted me to take on this important role, and I hope it brings the attention that the sixth form deserves.”
⚽ YEAR 8 FOOTBALL: NATIONAL CUP SUCCESS! 🏆
The Year 8 football team continued their incredible form last week, securing their place in the next round of the National Cup! 👏
The team faced a strong Plymouth side in a tense, closely contested match that finished 0–0 after some outstanding goalkeeping and resolute defending from both teams.
With nothing to separate the sides after normal time, the match went to a nail-biting penalty shoot-out. 💪 Our boys held their nerve to come out on top, winning 4–2 on penalties! 🎉
A fantastic achievement and a testament to the team's hard work, determination and teamwork.
Well done to all the players and staff involved, and good luck in the next round! Bring it on! 🔵⚽
#CoombesheadAcademy #Year8Football #NationalCup #Teamwork #SchoolSport #belong.believe.become
⚽ YEAR 8 FOOTBALL: NATIONAL CUP SUCCESS! 🏆 The Year 8 football team continued their incredible form last week, securing their place in the next round of the National Cup! 👏 The team faced a strong Plymouth side in a tense, closely contested match that finished 0–0 after some outstanding goalkeeping and resolute defending from both teams. With nothing to separate the sides after normal time, the match went to a nail-biting penalty shoot-out. 💪 Our boys held their nerve to come out on top, winning 4–2 on penalties! 🎉 A fantastic achievement and a testament to the team's hard work, determination and teamwork. Well done to all the players and staff involved, and good luck in the next round! Bring it on! 🔵⚽ #CoombesheadAcademy #Year8Football #NationalCup #Teamwork #SchoolSport #belong.believe.become
🌊🐙 When your Biology lesson takes you thousands of metres beneath the ocean…! 🔬🌍
On Monday, our year 9 students had an incredible live link-up with the EV Nautilus, giving them a front-row seat to real-life deep-sea exploration!
From seeing the technology used to explore the ocean depths, to discovering bizarre and fascinating marine life and asking questions directly to the scientists and crew, students experienced Biology happening live, right in front of them.
It was a brilliant opportunity to see where the science they learn in the classroom can take them and a fantastic reminder that there is still so much of our planet waiting to be discovered. 🌊✨
Who knows… perhaps some future marine biologists, oceanographers and explorers were inspired! 🧬🐠🚢
🌊🐙 When your Biology lesson takes you thousands of metres beneath the ocean…! 🔬🌍 On Monday, our year 9 students had an incredible live link-up with the EV Nautilus, giving them a front-row seat to real-life deep-sea exploration! From seeing the technology used to explore the ocean depths, to discovering bizarre and fascinating marine life and asking questions directly to the scientists and crew, students experienced Biology happening live, right in front of them. It was a brilliant opportunity to see where the science they learn in the classroom can take them and a fantastic reminder that there is still so much of our planet waiting to be discovered. 🌊✨ Who knows… perhaps some future marine biologists, oceanographers and explorers were inspired! 🧬🐠🚢