Mountain biking in Wales, Careers Fair and Art trip

Mountain Biking in WALES

The Mountain Bike Club headed to North Wales on Friday afternoon, setting off in a heavily laden minibus with a trailer full of bikes and an iconic destination in mind, Coed y Brenin Forest Park. The long journey was all part of the adventure, building anticipation for the weekend of riding ahead.

One of the core experiences for any true mountain biker is travelling somewhere new to explore unfamiliar trails and terrain. Coed y Brenin, home to Britain’s first purpose-built mountain bike trails, has set the standard for every bike park and trail centre since, making it the perfect place for the club to put their skills to the test.

As with all good road trips, though, not all was smooth sailing. An extended journey from Torquay featuring tractors that didn’t have anywhere to pull over, a bus satnav that refused to believe the road was closed, and a diversion that challenged even Mr Brett’s ability to take a minibus to places where it was not meant to go saw the group pull into our campsite at roughly 9pm. With tents up, spaghetti bolognese eaten the students hit their sleeping bags and woke to an amazing view they hadn’t been able to see when they arrived.

One bacon and sausage sandwich later and the group piled into the bus for the short hop from the campsite to the trails. The day started with a blast around the Minotaur loop – a machine-built flow trail and something very different from our normal trails. Fast and flowing with berms and rollers it rewards the riders who can read the trails and ensures everyone emerges with a grin after each descent. Ending at the far end of the valley near a waterfall, there’s a short traverse back up the valley to the trail hub.

After a break, next up was Cyflym Coch (Red Fox), which is a classic loop at Coed y Brenin. With flowing singletrack peppered with more challenging rocky sections, this started to test some of the students, and they rose to the challenge, especially considering one of them only started mountain biking in September! Students rode some iconic Welsh descents, such as the flowing corners of DreamTime, the fast straights of Uncle Fester and the rocks of Pink Heifer. At this point (and after one student’s third puncture of the day…), it was time to call it a day and make our way back to the campsite for a shower before heading into Blaenau Ffestiniog for fish and chips. Sunday was then a day for packing the kit away and hitting the road home. Will they be back? Absolutely!

Thanks are due to Mr Whelan for organising and leading the trip, to Mr Brett for helping with driving, camp administration and keeping the students fed and to Mr Spittle for volunteering his time to assist in leading the riding.

year 11 results evening

It was great to welcome our Year 11 students into school on Thursday evening to collect their mock exam results.

The morning began with a talk from Mr Gale in The Platform, where he spoke about the importance of revision planning and the expectations we have for students in the final stretch towards their GCSE exams. His message was clear: with the right approach, effort and support, every student can achieve something they’re proud of this summer.

After the talk, students collected their mock results and had the opportunity to speak to their teachers to get personalised advice and guidance on how to improve further.

Well done to all of Year 11, this is an important milestone on the road to your final exams. Keep going!

willow at british gymnastics championships

Willow-Mae recently competed in the prestigious British Gymnastics Championships, held at the impressive M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool. At just 11 years old, she was one of the youngest gymnasts taking part in the event.

Performing in front of thousands of spectators and TV cameras, Willow-Mae took the incredible experience in her stride — sharing the arena with world and Olympic medallists including Jake Jarman, Harry Hepworth and the returning Jessica Gadirova.

Willow-Mae competed across all four disciplines: floor, bars, vault and beam. In a field of 40 of the top young athletes in the country, she finished a highly respectable 29th overall, with a particularly impressive performance on the bars earning her a top 10 finish.

We are incredibly proud of Willow-Mae’s achievement and can’t wait to see what she goes on to accomplish next!

Careers Fair 2025

As part of our PSHE day, Torquay Academy hosted our annual Careers Fair, which welcomed 65 employers, apprenticeship providers, colleges, and universities.

It was our biggest and best one yet!

Every student had the opportunity to visit the Fair, allowing them to engage in purposeful conversations with future training providers and employers.

The students were fabulous and really embraced the opportunity to ask questions and find out more about future careers.

A massive thank you must go to all our visitors who gave up their time to support our students in learning more about their futures and careers.

PSHE Day

For the last of our PSHE days this year, we had the careers fair, which all year groups attended (see separate write-up above).

Unfortunately, the theatre company wasn’t able to join us this time, but the years 7 and 8 had a video version of Chelsea’s story, which explored child sexual exploitation and grooming, while the year 10 students watched ‘Invictus’ which looks at resilience, overcoming adversity & mental health. It aims to raise awareness of different forms of childhood adversity and inspire hope.

The year 7 students took part in a session on first aid where they practiced CPR, all of the school has now had some CPR training. They also looked at issues surrounding gender and alcohol misuse. The final sessions looked at how online relationships vary from those in ‘real life’ and the importance of being aware of our digital footprint.

Year 8 students also looked at the effects of alcohol and cannabis and what influences our use or misuse of these. They also look at ways to manage gambling-related influences and our decisions. Students looked at ways of managing what they are watching and how to select appropriate viewing. Finally, students looked at the pressure to share sexualised images and the consequences of doing so.

The year 9s had two hard-hitting sessions on Domestic Abuse and Exploitation. This was followed by sessions on looking after our mental health, how to form safe relationships only and the choices relating to an unplanned pregnancy.

Year 10 students looked at sources of help for issues connected to alcohol and drugs; they also looked at ways to manage their lifestyle to improve their health. They looked at different forms of work and the deductions to expect from their pay. We also had a session on loss, grief and connected emotions.

Year 11 Dance Rehearsals

This week, the year 11 dancers have had their final rehearsal before their exam on Wednesday.

They have been working really hard to create a 7 minute dance from scratch around the theme of 'Joint Effort'. We have got dances around friendship, Covid and bullying, Miss Walklin is really proud of how hard they have all been working and cant wait to see you shine on wednesday!

kevin foster visit

It was a pleasure to welcome former MP for Torbay and former Cabinet Office, Wales Office, Transport and Home Office minister Kevin Foster to Torquay Academy today.

An early start saw a welcome by our Head Boy and Head Girl, who attended a private reception with Kevin Foster before the assembly to 6th form. I spoke in my capacity, introducing the UK Political system and the importance of democratic participation, before Kevin spoke about careers in politics and how we can get involved. Hopefully our 6th formers feel more civically engaged after the session.

During period 2, we opened up a Q&A with myself and Kevin Foster, to which 66 interested students attended. Their questions ranged from domestic policy surrounding the pavilion and strand, to national issues including party leadership, immigration and parliament. All students conducted themselves in an exemplary manner, and we had representatives all the way from Y7-Y13.

Kevin even had the opportunity to take some individual photos afterwards! It was a great event, and I look forward to continuing political education here at TA in the future.

High Performance Academy

Last week, Dr. Ezzy Pearson, a space journalist for the BBC's Sky at Night and author of the book 'Robots in Space', came to speak to our High Performance Academy students about the history of space exploration. Many of our HPA students have been researching the colonisation of Mars or designing robots of their own this term so the talk tied in nicely with what they have been learning. Dr. Pearson's incredible knowledge about space and her engaging style inspired our students and they had many challenging questions for her after the talk. I was so impressed with their understanding of space and their curiosity to discover more. Hopefully, some of them might even experience space for themselves in the future!

Year 7 Mini Project: Exploring Art Across Time and Continents

Our Year 7 students have been on an exciting artistic journey, exploring key artworks from different continents and time periods. Through this mini-project, they discovered how artists care, talk, make, play, shape, and share through their work, using art as a universal language to express ideas, emotions, and culture.

Students experimented with a range of techniques, including collage and oil pastel transfer, allowing them to develop their creativity and presentation skills. By studying a diverse selection of artworks, they gained insight into how art has evolved and how different cultures and societies communicate through visual storytelling.

The project has sparked curiosity, encouraged hands-on exploration, and inspired some fantastic creative responses. We’re incredibly proud of their engagement and can’t wait to see how they continue to grow as young artists!

Sonic Visions at Blue Walnut Cafe

This week the Blue Walnut Café played host to an enchanting evening of music, creativity, and cinematic soundscapes as the Creative Arts department proudly launched the inaugural 'Sonic Visions'. This intimate event, held in the café’s renowned 23-seater cinema—reputedly the UK’s smallest public cinema—brought together the worlds of music technology and acoustic performance in an evening celebrating the arts.

At the heart of the evening was the work of our talented Music Technologists, who undertook the challenge of stripping all sound from short film clips of their choice and reimagining them with original music, sound design, and foley. The result was nothing short of extraordinary, with attendees commenting on the professionalism of the work on display, many remarking that they ‘forgot’ they were listening to student work. The depth of creativity and technical skill demonstrated left a lasting impression on all who attended.

The live music performances throughout the evening provided a perfect complement to the cinematic soundscapes. Year 13’s Oliver Lucas set the tone with a breathtaking solo piano recital, including highlights such as Beethoven’s Sonata Pathétique, which captivated the audience. Later, Ava Story and Emilee Payne brought warmth and soul to the Blue Walnut, leading the crowd in a heartfelt, piano-vocal set that had everyone singing along.

As the night progressed, Year 12 group Midnight Groove took to the stage, delivering an energetic and dynamic performance. With fantastic interplay between vocalists Henry McManus and Luca Cronje, their upbeat set had the audience fully engaged, rounding off the student performances with style and flair.

Adding a special touch to the evening, we were privileged to welcome back former student Eloise Simpson, now studying at Falmouth University. Eloise treated us to a sublime set of covers and originals, showcasing the immense talent that has taken her to the likes of Boardmasters and Abbey Road Studios. Her performance was an inspiring reminder to our current students of where dedication and passion for music can lead.

Sonic Visions was a night to remember—one that not only celebrated the creative potential of our students but also reinforced the power of music and sound to transform and elevate storytelling. We are so proud of everyone involved.

Exploring Narrative and Remnants: Year 11 Plaster Cast Experiments

Our Year 11 Art students have been diving into exciting experimental processes as part of their exam projects, exploring the themes of Narrative and Remnants. Inspired by the sculptural works of Rachel Whiteread and the Boyle Family, students have been using plaster casting techniques to capture traces of objects, textures, and spaces.

Whiteread’s ghostly, architectural casts provided a starting point for exploring negative space, while the Boyle Family’s hyperreal surfaces encouraged a close study of textures and forgotten details in the environment. Through these influences, students have been casting everyday objects, surfaces, and even sections of drain covers in school, seeking to tell stories through what is left behind.

The results so far are both thought-provoking and visually striking—layered impressions of memory, time, and place. As students refine their ideas, they continue to experiment with materials and composition, pushing their creative responses further. We can’t wait to see their final outcomes.

Our Year 10 students have been working hard on their mock exam pieces, responding to the theme of Identity in diverse and personal ways. Their work reflects a broad range of influences, from selected artists to individual experiences and interests.

Some students have been designing and creating items of clothing, inspired by key artists, using textiles and mixed media to express personal and cultural identity. Others have explored Surrealism, using dreamlike imagery to represent the subconscious mind. More personal themes have also emerged, with some students tackling powerful topics such as domestic abuse, incorporating bold slogans to raise awareness and spark conversation. Others have drawn from their hobbies and landscapes, capturing elements of their everyday lives and surroundings in creative and unique ways.

The variety of approaches and techniques has led to an impressive collection of thoughtful and visually striking pieces. We’re incredibly proud of their creativity and can’t wait to see their take on our next theme 'Human Form'.

Torquay Academy CCF Cadet Bulletin

Last Wednesday’s CCF training session commenced with a full contingent parade and kit inspection. Cadets demonstrated high standards of discipline and turnout, setting a strong foundation for the evening’s activities.

Following the parade, the RAF section engaged in a comprehensive training session focused on leadership and first aid. Cadets developed essential skills in decision-making, teamwork, and emergency response, reinforcing their capability as future leaders.

The Army section divided into five specialized groups, each undertaking a different area of training:

Air Rifle Training – Cadets refined their marksmanship skills under the guidance of trained instructors, ensuring safety and precision.
Field Craft – Tactical movement and survival techniques were practiced in a controlled environment, enhancing cadets’ operational knowledge.
Map Reading – Fundamental navigation skills were put to the test, reinforcing the importance of spatial awareness and route planning.
St John’s First Aid – Essential first aid techniques were reviewed and practiced, preparing cadets for real-world medical situations.
Drill – Cadets worked on discipline and precision in drill movements, improving coordination and synchronization as a unit.

Additionally, the senior cadets continued with their CFIT training, delivering lessons to further develop their instructional skills and leadership capabilities.

To conclude the evening, all cadets assembled for a full contingent rehearsal in preparation for next week’s Cadet Presentation. This final session ensured that everyone is well-prepared and confident for the upcoming event, showcasing the hard work and dedication of our CCF members.

Art Trip to Birmingham – A City of Inspiration and Culture

Our recent art trip to the vibrant city of Birmingham was nothing short of inspiring.

Led by Mrs Lynch, The Year 12 & 13 A Level Photography and Art students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the bustling metropolis that is Birmingham, with its rich, artistic and cultural gems.

The trip was packed with exciting visits to key locations that truly showcased the diversity and creativity of the city. Our first stop was The Ikon Gallery, a contemporary space that offered a thought-provoking mix of exhibitions. The students had the chance to engage with modern art in a way that will undoubtedly influence their own work, sparking new ideas and creative pathways.

We then explored Brindley Place, where the architectural landscape was both dynamic and inspiring. The area’s blend of historic and modern structures provided a perfect backdrop for photography students to capture stunning urban shots. The juxtaposition of old and new was a key theme throughout the trip, reminding us how art evolves in conversation with its surroundings.

A real highlight was visiting the incredible building that houses the Birmingham Town Library. Its striking modern architecture, with bold, circular designs and gleaming facades, left us all in awe. The design of the building itself was an artwork, and students were inspired to think about how architecture and space can influence artistic expression.

The colourful food markets gave us a sensory overload of vibrant colours, smells, and textures, providing rich material for students to explore in both their photography and art projects. The vibrancy of the market atmosphere was a perfect contrast to the quieter, more contemplative art galleries we visited later on.

A visit to the Bullring added an element of contemporary urban life to our trip, with its bustling energy and modern shopping environment. Finally, we ended our tour at the Birmingham City Art Gallery, where students had the chance to explore a diverse range of artworks, from classical pieces to contemporary installations.

This trip was not only educational but also deeply inspiring, providing both art and photography students with a wide variety of influences to draw from. Birmingham’s energy, diversity, and artistic heritage offered a perfect backdrop for our exploration of the creative world.

Music Academy Rocks Live Music Lunch

This Fun Friday, our Year 10 and 11 Music Academy students put on an incredible show at Live Music Lunch, performing soul classics, ‘Move On Up’, ‘This Is a Man’s World’, and Stevie Wonder’s ‘I Wish’, impressing everyone with their talent and energy.

These bands recently competed in the Music For Youth regional competition through Mentor Connects. We’re eagerly waiting to hear if they’ll make it to the National Festival for Youth Music in Birmingham, but no matter the result, we are so proud of their hard work and passion.

Keeping the vibes high, Dylan Nock supported with an upbeat DJ set, adding to the fun times......

A huge well done to all our performers and a big thank you to everyone who came to support them.

fun friday

Year 7 - Pandora Ferguson and Alex Nicholson

Year 8 - Jenson Tandy and Catherine Ramesh-Mani

Year 9 - Logan Clatworthy and Aalia Smillie

Year 10 - Analais Biggs and Rylan Chambers

Year 7 Netball FINALS

Our Year 7 A and B squads recently competed in the league playoffs, representing Torquay Academy with pride and dedication. Both teams faced tough opposition throughout the tournament, but they displayed incredible resilience on the court, demonstrating the hard work and skills they’ve developed throughout the season.

The players applied everything they have learnt to each match, showing fantastic teamwork, determination, and never giving up, regardless of the challenges. Their commitment to improve was evident, and their performance, and their performance in the tournament proved just how much progress they have made as a team.

Overall, both squads made us proud, and their efforts truly highlighted the strength and potential of our young athletes! Well done girls!

A Squad: Zenna Venter ©, Eva Thompson, Milly Skelly, Mimi Skelly, Dee Davies, Ela Uven, Mia Kost, Darcy Gibbings

B Squad: Myah Bishop ©, Sophia Hill, Poppy Hewings, Sophia Houghton, Achara Edmund, Bella Stevenson, Lottie Forrester

Coaches Players of the Day: Sophia Hill & Milly Skelly

Player’s Player of the Day: Sophia Hill & Mimi Skelly

Year 10 Handball Regional Finals

Our Year 10 handball squad travelled to Truro to compete for a place in the regional finals. Handball is being developed at TA though our diverse curriculum and we have seen massive improvements in skills and tactical understanding over the last year. We travelled with an A and B squad and showed some exceptional performances. We demonstrated tremendous progress in each game and have now qualified for the regional finals on the 28th April hosted by the University of West England. Congratulations to all involved.

Year 8 Dodgeball Regional Finals

Our Year 8 dodgeball team competed in the Regional finals held at Bridgewater last week. At TA we are concentrating our efforts on our non-mainstream sports alongside our mainstream ones to enhance the overall sporting diet our students are receiving. Last year our current year 9’s achieved a place in the National Finals in Nottingham so we travelled with the aim of repeating this success. At Bridgewater the standard was incredibly high and fiercely contested. We played 7 games against teams all over the South West and won 6 of them earning a place in the National Finals in Stoke-on-Trent on 3rd July. Congratulations to all involved with some incredible performances.

Year 9 Rosslyn Park National Rugby 7s tournament

The year 9 boys travelled to South West London this week to compete against some of the top rugby playing private schools in the country in the National 7s rugby competition. After a stop over in Reading the night before the boys took to the road early Tuesday to get ready for our first match against a top fee paying school. The boys played some outstanding rugby and kept the ball really well throughout their games. Rugby 7s is played on full sized pitches with only 7 players as opposed to the 15 in a normal team. So there is lots of space to run yet any mistake is brutally punished. It is fast paced, relentlessly tiring and an amazing game to play and watch. The boys did themselves proud and whilst the results didn't quite go our way we definitely competed with some of the best rugby playing schools in the country. Hopefully the boys have made some lifelong memories and been given an experience they will never forget. Well done to all involved.