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Newton Abbot students take part in bird making textiles session at Bovey Craft Festival 

Year 10 students from Coombeshead Academy in Newton Abbot, part of Education South West, flocked to a recent textile workshop where they hand stitched pictures of birds.

The Textiles students took part in the workshop at the Bovey Craft Festival this month, which was run by textile artist, Poppy Treffry.  The workshop consisted of a freehand embroidery session during which the students created a collection of birds that will feature in the GCSE coursework portfolio at this year’s summer show at CREATE. 

The school houses the CREATE Creative Arts Academy, which is home to specialist studios and teachers offering learning in an exciting range of creative courses.  CREATE offers Art & Design, Photography, Textiles, 3D Design and Graphics offering young people a doorway to a successful future in diverse and rewarding careers.

The Coombeshead students were specifically invited to attend the workshop due to the creative curriculum offered at the school and Coombeshead was the only school asked to take part.

Helen Coulson, Headteacher at Coombeshead Academy said:

“I am delighted that our students were invited to take part in this exciting workshop thanks to the recognition of the strong focus we place on promoting the arts at Coombeshead.  It was a brilliant opportunity for our students to directly learn from successful, local creatives not only how to improve their artistic skills, but how to run a business.”

Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West said:

“I would like to say a big thank you to the Bovey Craft Festival and to Poppy Treffy for hosting our textiles students.  At Education South West we believe that all children should have the chance to find a creative outlet that they love and we are so pleased with the range of art subjects on offer at Coombeshead CREATE.  The birds the students made look fantastic and I look forward to seeing them displayed at the summer show!”

More information:

• Coombeshead Academy was rated Good by Ofsted in 2023.
• Inspectors noted that based on the ‘Coombeshead Commitment’, leaders plan a broad range of extracurricular activities, experiences and trips, over 20 clubs run each week, including learning Latin, plant care, a community orchestra and various sports.

• Education South West is a trust of nine primary schools, four secondary schools, one all through school and a University Technical College all based in Devon. 
• Education South West is focused on creating a culture which supports and challenges all whilst also working with those in and outside their community of schools to improve all.  
• All Education South West schools have UNICEF Rights Respecting accreditation, which recognises their commitment to creating safe and inspiring places to learn, where children are respected, their talents are nurtured and they are able to thrive.
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