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🥳STUDENT SUCCESS: FOOD AND NUTRITION🥳Students in Years 7-11 have been working really hard in Food and Nutrition lessons with a few students really standing out! This is what they have been up to:
🍽 In Year 7, students have been developing their cooking skills and have been exploring the use of batters to make a toad in the hole out of a Yorkshire pudding batter.
🍕In Year 8, dough's has been the focus with a very popular pizza's being made by making their very own bread dough. Their final food lesson of this rotation is to make cheese straws.
🍝In Year 9, students have been learning how to safely slice and dice vegetables and have made spaghetti bolognaise as well as learning about the nutritional importance of fat, so a chocolate brownie was created to help develop their learning.
🥘In Year 10, students have begun their GCSE pathway, and have already completed a number of practicals such as sweet and sour chicken, chicken curry, sticky toffee pudding and in the next week or so, students will be learning how to make a meringue and as such a meringue roulade will be made in lessons.
🍜Finally, in Year 11, students have begun their coursework element of their GCSEs and have been working really well in lesson time maximising their grade even though it is early in the academic year.
The Food department would like to finish off by shouting out the following students for their hard work, dedication and excellent practical/ theory lessons in each year group. Keep up the brilliant work and happy cooking!
Year 7: Amelia R
Year 8: Lily H-T
Year 9: Jacob M
Year 10: Toby S
Year 11: Paige S
🥳STUDENT SUCCESS: FOOD AND NUTRITION🥳Students in Years 7-11 have been working really hard in Food and Nutrition lessons with a few students really standing out! This is what they have been up to: 🍽 In Year 7, students have been developing their cooking skills and have been exploring the use of batters to make a toad in the hole out of a Yorkshire pudding batter. 🍕In Year 8, dough's has been the focus with a very popular pizza's being made by making their very own bread dough. Their final food lesson of this rotation is to make cheese straws. 🍝In Year 9, students have been learning how to safely slice and dice vegetables and have made spaghetti bolognaise as well as learning about the nutritional importance of fat, so a chocolate brownie was created to help develop their learning. 🥘In Year 10, students have begun their GCSE pathway, and have already completed a number of practicals such as sweet and sour chicken, chicken curry, sticky toffee pudding and in the next week or so, students will be learning how to make a meringue and as such a meringue roulade will be made in lessons. 🍜Finally, in Year 11, students have begun their coursework element of their GCSEs and have been working really well in lesson time maximising their grade even though it is early in the academic year. The Food department would like to finish off by shouting out the following students for their hard work, dedication and excellent practical/ theory lessons in each year group. Keep up the brilliant work and happy cooking! Year 7: Amelia R Year 8: Lily H-T Year 9: Jacob M Year 10: Toby S Year 11: Paige S
🎉 Well done, Year 11! Once again, you smashed it!🎉
A HUGE congratulations to all our Year 11 students at Coombeshead Academy on completing their intensive week of PPEs (Pre-Public Examinations)! 👏 We know how much hard work, preparation and determination has gone into this week, and we’re incredibly proud of the effort and resilience you’ve shown💪Now it’s time to take a well-deserved breather, get some rest, and feel proud of what you’ve achieved so far🌟We asked the students what they thought of the experience and this is what a few of them said:
🌟Ben: It really teaches you how to prepare for exams before the real thing!
🌟Charlie: It’s helpful because it lets us know which gaps need filling in and what level we are working out with lots of time to improve if we need to.
🌟Zed: It has helped me get used to the setting and reduces pressure of the real thing.
Keep up the hard work, stay focused and remember that every step counts as you continue your journey towards your GCSEs! You’ve got this, Year 11! 💙
#CoombesheadAcademy #Year11 #PPEs #GCSEs #ProudToBeCoombeshead #belongbelievebecome
🎉 Well done, Year 11! Once again, you smashed it!🎉 A HUGE congratulations to all our Year 11 students at Coombeshead Academy on completing their intensive week of PPEs (Pre-Public Examinations)! 👏 We know how much hard work, preparation and determination has gone into this week, and we’re incredibly proud of the effort and resilience you’ve shown💪Now it’s time to take a well-deserved breather, get some rest, and feel proud of what you’ve achieved so far🌟We asked the students what they thought of the experience and this is what a few of them said: 🌟Ben: It really teaches you how to prepare for exams before the real thing! 🌟Charlie: It’s helpful because it lets us know which gaps need filling in and what level we are working out with lots of time to improve if we need to. 🌟Zed: It has helped me get used to the setting and reduces pressure of the real thing. Keep up the hard work, stay focused and remember that every step counts as you continue your journey towards your GCSEs! You’ve got this, Year 11! 💙 #CoombesheadAcademy #Year11 #PPEs #GCSEs #ProudToBeCoombeshead #belongbelievebecome
UPDATE OF INFORMATION!!! FOR OUR EXCITING SUMMER 2028 EXPEDITION: ECUADOR & THE GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS!
Calling all nature-lovers and adventurers in years 10, 11, 12, & 13! Parents and guardians will be emailed information today, but here is a little bit more information regarding the parent presentation on Thursday 22nd October at 6pm in the Study Cafe 
Assembly Presentation: Friday 16th October
Location: The Study Cafe
UPDATE OF INFORMATION!!! FOR OUR EXCITING SUMMER 2028 EXPEDITION: ECUADOR & THE GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS! Calling all nature-lovers and adventurers in years 10, 11, 12, & 13! Parents and guardians will be emailed information today, but here is a little bit more information regarding the parent presentation on Thursday 22nd October at 6pm in the Study Cafe Coombeshead Academy students have an incredible opportunity to explore the breath-taking landscapes of Ecuador and the amazing Galápagos Islands in Summer 2028! This four-week expedition will combine unforgettable adventures with meaningful environmental projects, from working in the spectacular Amazon rainforest to discovering the unique wildlife of the Galápagos Islands. Students will learn about conservation, experience one of the world's most extraordinary natural environments, and make a positive difference to the places they visit. Assembly Presentation: Friday 16th October Location: The Study Cafe Come along to find out more about this once-in-a-lifetime adventure! #CoombesheadAcademy #Ecuador2028 #GalapagosIslands #StudentExpedition #EnvironmentalConservation #AdventureAwaits
🌎EXCITING SUMMER 2028 EXPEDITION: ECUADOR & THE GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS!🌎
🌿🐢Calling all nature-lovers and adventurers! 🌿🐢
Coombeshead Academy students have an incredible opportunity to explore the breathtaking landscapes of Ecuador and the amazing Galápagos Islands in Summer 2028!
This four-week expedition will combine unforgettable adventures with meaningful environmental projects, from working in the spectacular Amazon rainforest to discovering the unique wildlife of the Galápagos Islands. Students will learn about conservation, experience one of the world's most extraordinary natural environments, and make a positive difference to the places they visit. 🦎🌴
📅 Assembly Presentation: Friday 16th October
📍 Location: The Study Cafe
Come along to find out more about this once-in-a-lifetime adventure!
#CoombesheadAcademy #Ecuador2028 #GalapagosIslands #StudentExpedition #EnvironmentalConservation #AdventureAwaits
🌎EXCITING SUMMER 2028 EXPEDITION: ECUADOR & THE GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS!🌎 🌿🐢Calling all nature-lovers and adventurers! 🌿🐢 Coombeshead Academy students have an incredible opportunity to explore the breathtaking landscapes of Ecuador and the amazing Galápagos Islands in Summer 2028! This four-week expedition will combine unforgettable adventures with meaningful environmental projects, from working in the spectacular Amazon rainforest to discovering the unique wildlife of the Galápagos Islands. Students will learn about conservation, experience one of the world's most extraordinary natural environments, and make a positive difference to the places they visit. 🦎🌴 📅 Assembly Presentation: Friday 16th October📍 Location: The Study Cafe Come along to find out more about this once-in-a-lifetime adventure! #CoombesheadAcademy #Ecuador2028 #GalapagosIslands #StudentExpedition #EnvironmentalConservation #AdventureAwaits
⚽️ A FANTASTIC START FOR COOMBESHEAD ACADEMY YEAR 9 FOOTBALL TEAM! ⚽️
What a way to kick off the season! 🙌👏
The Year 9 football team got their season off to a flying start with a fantastic win against a strong Plympton side in their first National Cup fixture! 🏆
The boys played some brilliant attacking football, showing great teamwork, determination and commitment throughout. A fantastic performance from everyone involved and a great way to start their cup campaign! 💪⚽️
Well done, boys: you’ve done Coombeshead Academy proud! 💙
Keep up the hard work and bring on the next round! 👏🔥
#CoombesheadAcademy #Year9Football #NationalCup #Teamwork #SchoolFootball #ProudMoment #belong.believe.become
⚽️ A FANTASTIC START FOR COOMBESHEAD ACADEMY YEAR 9 FOOTBALL TEAM! ⚽️ What a way to kick off the season! 🙌👏 The Year 9 football team got their season off to a flying start with a fantastic win against a strong Plympton side in their first National Cup fixture! 🏆 The boys played some brilliant attacking football, showing great teamwork, determination and commitment throughout. A fantastic performance from everyone involved and a great way to start their cup campaign! 💪⚽️ Well done, boys: you’ve done Coombeshead Academy proud! 💙 Keep up the hard work and bring on the next round! 👏🔥 #CoombesheadAcademy #Year9Football #NationalCup #Teamwork #SchoolFootball #ProudMoment #belong.believe.become