News

Sam Eyre, the Curriculum and Team Area Lead for the Creative Arts at Coombeshead Academy has organised this year’s Devon Art Teachers Conference. 

Mr Eyre is also the South West Institute for Teaching Community Network Lead for Art & Design and Coombeshead Academy 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 school has a close creative partnership with MAKE Southwest and have often held the art teachers conference there.  CREATE collaborate with them on various projects and art workshops throughout the school year.

The 2024 Devon Art Teachers Conference was organised around the theme of ‘craft’ and allowed local teachers the chance to listen to inspirational talks, reflect on creative teaching practices and network with their peers. The group went on to spend the afternoon at Bovey Craft Festival seeing some beautiful work and talking to over 200 makers, artists and craftspeople.

Helen Coulson, Headteacher at Coombeshead Academy said:

“I am so proud of Mr Eyre for playing such a key role in supporting art teachers all across Devon.  We place such importance on the arts at Coombeshead and I know that the brilliant work Mr Eyre does puts us at the heart of arts teaching in the county.”

Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West said:

“At Education South West we want all children to receive a top-class education, whether they attend one of our schools or not.  The work Mr Eyre does organising the Devon Art Teachers Conference exemplifies the approach we want staff to take to support teachers and students across the region.”