head boy and girl
We are delighted to announce the appointment of our new Head Student Team following a rigorous and highly competitive interview process.
After carefully considering a strong field of candidates, we are proud to introduce our student leaders for the year ahead:
Head Boy, Lewis Watt
Deputy Head Boy, Jim Billingham
Head Girl, Lyra Bowstead
Deputy Head Girls, Emma Matthews and Abi O’Leary-Black
Each of these students impressed the interview panel with their maturity, commitment to the school community, and clear vision for how they want to support and represent Torquay Academy. The process challenged students to reflect on leadership, responsibility, and service, and the quality of responses demonstrated just how much talent we have within our student body.
As a team, they will play a vital role in leading student voice, supporting school events, and acting as ambassadors for the values and culture of our school. We are confident that they will approach this responsibility with integrity, energy, and a genuine desire to make a positive difference for others.
Congratulations to Lewis, Jim, Lyra, Emma and Abi. We are incredibly proud of you and look forward to seeing the impact you will make over the coming year.
Year 9 Cadets Bushcraft Trip – Footsteps of Discovery
Last weekend our Year 9 cadets set off to North Devon for an exciting bushcraft experience at Footsteps of Discovery. The aim of the camp was simple: learn essential outdoor skills, push comfort zones, and enjoy life in the wild.
The cadets arrived on Friday evening and, with head torches on, made their way into the wood block where their sleeping shelters were already set up. Once bags were dropped, a well-earned pasta meal was served to fuel the evening ahead.
With wet weather rolling in, the team moved straight into lessons on fire-making. Cadets learned how to select the right wood for kindling, how to build and sustain a fire, and even explored which everyday disposable items could be used to heat water or act as survival aids. After a couple of hours of hands-on learning, everyone gathered around a pit fire for hot chocolate and the mandatory marshmallows—always a highlight.
Lights-out came early to prepare for the next busy day. Reveille sounded at 0630hrs, followed by a hot breakfast at 0800. The fantastic team at Footsteps of Discovery made sure everyone was well fed and ready for action.
The morning’s activities included fire-making using different traditional and modern methods, as well as rope-work sessions where cadets learned quick-release knots and practical cordage skills. After lunch—served under clearing skies—the fun continued with axe throwing and catapulting, testing accuracy, focus, and confidence.
By mid-afternoon, the cadets made their way out of the wood block to meet the coach returning them to Torquay Academy. It was an amazing experience for our younger cadets, each returning home with new life skills, new knowledge, and even an appreciation for washing up after meals!
A huge thank you to the Footsteps of Discovery team for an unforgettable weekend in the wild.
year 7 golden lunch
On Friday the 5th we celebrated the students who got into the Gold level of the Effort Board. They celebrated with pizza, chips, chocolate and Christmas fun! We are so proud of all the effort that year 7 have put in since starting with us and we are excited to see who ends up in the Gold Level for Cycle 2!
Well done, everyone!
year 8 celebration breakfast
year 9 gold effort
Year 9 with their gold coins after their brunch celebration.
english with miss james-mellitt
This cycle, 7T5 has been looking at Robin Hood and the morality behind his actions. Diving into understanding the corrupt actions of Prince John and why Robin Hood was a hero for justice. 7T5 have been writing powerful, persuasive speeches explaining why Robin Hood is a hero of the people, using the techniques of direct address and emotive language.
cross country
Huge congratulations to Leon Snell and Annalise Little, who both represented Torquay Academy brilliantly at the Devon Championships Cross Country Race in Exeter today.
The Under 15 boys and girls races are always fiercely competitive, yet both students rose to the occasion. Leon finished second in the boys' race, and Annalise third in the girls', an exceptional achievement for both runners.
Their performances mean they have qualified to represent Devon at the South West Championships in January, and they have also secured automatic qualification for the National Cross Country Final in Nottingham in March.
We are incredibly proud of Leon and Annalise for their talent, determination, and commitment to their sport. They continue to show what is possible through hard work and pride in their performance, and we wish them every success in the next stage of competition.
fun friday
There was a brilliant festive atmosphere across the school this afternoon as students enjoyed our final Fun Friday of the term. Each year group took part in a Christmas themed activity filled with music, laughter and plenty of competitive spirit.
Year 7 and Year 8 put their knowledge to the test with our Christmas Quiz. Teams worked together to tackle rounds on seasonal trivia, festive films and quick fire challenges. There was lots of excitement as groups raced to get their answers in and the winning teams celebrated some well deserved bragging rights.
Year 9, Year 10 and Year 11 transformed The Platform into a lively Christmas Karaoke venue. Students took to the microphone with confidence and enthusiasm, singing everything from classic carols to modern favourites. The performances were full of energy with plenty of applause and encouragement from their friends.
It was a lovely way to bring the week to a close and a chance for everyone to unwind as we head towards the end of term. A huge thank you to all staff who helped run the activities and to every student who joined in so positively.
We are already looking forward to the first Fun Friday of the new year.
food technology with mrs haines
Mrs Haines' classroom has been super busy with the Christmas buildup in creating and producing Christmas themed food products for the holidays .The KS4 students who study Hospitality and Catering as a vocational subject have been focused on completing some written assignments on two dishes of their choice for two different age groups and this has challenged their written and practical skills in the application to the tasks. The most difficult practical task was completing an apple lattice tart which involved not only preparing the pastry but also meticulously decorating and presenting the work.
Pudding Club has again been a great success this year what I like to see is just how the students appreciate it and how they begin to develop basic cake and sponge skills to entertain and impress their family members.
Thank you so much to all those students of mine that send me photos' of the food and baking dishes that they make in their spare time. It makes me so proud to see their passion and enthusiasm for Food and Nutrition.
ta alumni
Ryan Wilson, a former Torquay Academy pupil from year 7 through to completing 6th form within the TA Football Academy, has recently graduated with Honours in Football Business and Finance from UCFB (University Campus of Football Business) at Wembley Stadium.
spanish club
Students have been putting their Spanish skills to the test in Thursday's club by learning some card games in the target language with Ms.Mewett and our foreign language assistant Malena. All GCSE Spanish students are welcome to join on a Thursday after school in Miss Hammett's classroom - C207.
8T7 Spanish have been working hard on learning how to form and use the past tense in Spanish. We have done lots of mini whiteboard practice to make sure they are really understanding the concept, really great efforts from the whole class!
This week year 11s were able to take part in a taster session for A-level subjects. Some of the Spanish cohort had a session to discover what the course consists of and where the subject could take them in the future. They had the opportunity to talk to one of our year 13 Spanish students to find out how she has found the course so far.
art roundup
This week in the art department has been full of creativity and festive warmth. Our Year 8 students have been busy with dynamic figure-drawing sessions, sketching soldiers and exploring posture, balance and gesture. Nearby, Year 7 filled the classroom with seasonal cheer as they designed Christmas cards beside a cosy, crackling fire — perfect inspiration for winter-themed artwork. Meanwhile, Year 12 artists took their practice to new heights, experimenting with etching techniques and sculpting expressive clay busts that showcase both skill and imagination. A wonderfully productive week all round.
learning legend
Year 7 - Noah Harding
Students of the Week
Year 7 - Bobbie Shannon and Oakley Wise
Year 9 - Jessica Stoyle and Max Kapusta
Year 10 - Edi Ferencz Csibi and Allanna Butler
Year 11 - Alex Nagy and Emilia Hunt
ELITE UK FOOTBALL EXPERIENCE | PRO:DIRECT ACADEMY @ TORQUAY ACADEMY
We are incredibly proud of Toby Lee and Colby Britton, who have just returned from an unforgettable four-day elite football experience representing the Pro:Direct Academy at Torquay Academy.
In partnership with LLS – Your Tour and Soccer Profile, Toby and Colby took part in a high-performance UK Training and Talent ID event designed for ambitious 16 to 18 year olds seeking exposure to genuine professional environments. Over the course of the trip, they experienced first-hand what life is really like for academy-level players, training, competing, and being assessed in settings used by professional clubs.
The experience included training at some of the most prestigious football facilities in the country, including the Manchester City Etihad Campus, Wolves Academy, and Wrexham AFC. Throughout the week, the boys worked closely with coaches from each of the professional clubs they visited, gaining valuable insight into the standards and expectations of academy football.
They were also fortunate to spend time learning from Gary Monk, former Premier League player and manager, who is also an ex-student of Torquay Academy. His involvement added an inspiring personal connection and provided first-hand insight into the journey from academy football to the professional game.
Toby and Colby also took part in showcase fixtures against representative squads from Everton and West Bromwich Albion. These matches were filmed and analysed using professional academy processes, providing meaningful opportunities for feedback, reflection, and recognition. The trip was further enriched by live match experiences at Wrexham vs Bristol City and Everton vs Newcastle United, giving valuable insight into the pace, structure, and demands of senior football.
This experience is part of our growing partnership with Pro:Direct Academy, which continues to open doors for our students. Recent opportunities have included meeting Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo during a Puma boot launch, where students trained alongside him, as well as competing as part of a national Pro:Direct XI that regularly faces top professional academy sides in front of scouts from across the country.
Toby and Colby represented Torquay Academy and the Pro:Direct Academy superbly throughout, demonstrating maturity, commitment, and a genuine hunger to learn and improve. Experiences like this lie at the heart of our academy pathway, raising aspirations and creating meaningful opportunities for young people.
sixth form netball knockout
Unfortunately, the TA Sixth Form travelled to Truro with a depleted squad due to limited player availability, but they stepped onto the court with positivity and determination from the very first whistle.
It was a tightly contested match throughout — one that truly could have gone either way. TA started strongly, edging ahead in the first quarter and holding onto a narrow one-goal lead at half time. As the game progressed, determination intensified on both sides. Truro matched TA’s work rate and managed to nudge ahead going into the final quarter.
TA defended fiercely across the court, fighting hard to claw back the lead. However, the strength of the opposition, combined with injuries that forced changes on court, proved just enough to tilt the balance. The match finished in a narrow loss, bringing an end to our National Knockout journey.
Despite the result, it was a commendable performance from every member of the squad. You showcased resilience, teamwork, and true competitive spirit — and should be incredibly proud of what you achieved.
Squad: Frankie Skelly, Rosie Clarke, Eve Cameron, Tammy Westacott ©, Ellie Stone, Summer Connolly, Elspeth Herring, Millie Sneap
Opposition's Player of the Match: Eve Cameron
Players' Player of the Match: Millie Sneap
Coaches' Player of the Match: Millie Sneap
mixed years netball
It was a fantastic day of netball from the mixed Year 9, 10 & 11 squad at Tuesday’s tournament! The team played with real determination, working hard through every area of the court. They stuck tight to their players and showed real defensive strength, making it difficult for every opposition they faced.
When turnovers were won, the team worked intelligently to get free using a variety of movements, and the shooters finished strongly with some excellent goals.
Overall, the squad won 4 out of their 7 games — with two of the losses being by just a single goal. A brilliant effort from the whole team and a performance to be proud of! Well Done!
Squad: Molly Hollomby, Millie Swift ©, Connie Kinghorn ©, Kelsey Drew, Jacinta Ampomah, Alexa Lyons, Lilly Shaw, Grace Gatling
Oppositions Player of the Match: Alexa Lyons
Player’s Player of the Match: Connie Kinghorn & Kelsey Drew
Coaches Player of the Match: Jacinta Ampomah
U14 Girls Football
Fantastic win for the U14 girls away to Ivybridge. A great game to watch with both teams giving everything. Goals on the day came from
Mimi (2) Lottie, Freja, Izzie, Isla
Voted player of the match Mimi
Year 10 Football
On Monday the year 10 football team crashed out of the National cup with a 3-2 defeat to Gillingham school Dorset. TA never really got going and struggled to hit the high standards they have been setting. Early in the second half they found themselves 3-0 down. TA fought back to 3-2 before a last minute equaliser was ruled out. It was heart break for the team but the performance simply wasn't there.
Table Tennis Lessons
Over the last three weeks, our Year 7 and Year 8 students have been enjoying table tennis during their lessons. At each lesson, eight students compete in a round-robin playing system. We are currently running internal competitions for both populations, T and Q. The top four players from each group will compete for the titles of Year 7 Champion and Year 8 Champion.
Well done to all students involved for demonstrating excellent table tennis skills and a great level of sportsmanship.
We look forward to seeing even more progress and enthusiasm as the competition continues.
u16 boys vs heles school
governor's bronze certificates
Year 7 - Bonnie Beedle-Grigg
principal's gold certificates
Year 7 - Lewis Tandy, Nathan Hooper, Maisy Sellick, Charlie Pearson, Oakley Johnson, Frankie Tait, Lucy-May Stevens, Freddie Osborne, Issac Churchill, Scarlet Seton, Rupert Jones and Aimee Byrne
principal's silver certificates
Year 7 - Archie West, Immy Weeks, Scarlett Paton, Lucas Worrall, Soraya Underhill, Grace Sampson, Malakye Harvey, Alya al Ali, Lincoln Weston, Corey Watt, Baran Sular, Shia Davidson, Arthur Williams, Ludo Mudge, Kimberley Madge, Meelie Harvey, Isla Copping, Mason Bond, Elias Abbott, Jamie Smyth, Lorenz Hodgson, Sienna Tucker, Callan Woodward, Max Newman and Nathan Cameron
Year 8 - Poppy Pope, Lucy Matthews, Tyler Fudge, Kamile Degutyte, Rocco D'Alessandro and Georgina Morton
Year 9 - Lily-Jo Prior, Jesse Isemede, Jessica Stoyle, Logan Payne, Catherine Ramesh Mani, Alexa McCarthy, Seth McCann, Daisy Dorman, Christopher Csapo and Jax Biagott
principal's bronze certificates
Year 7 - Phoebe Herbert, Charles Hepburn, Lacey Dennett, Amelia Cony, Ruby Sambrook, Ollie Webster, Marcus Feasey, Archie Faulkes, Jax O'Connor, Taylor Norgaard-Welsh, Toby Giles, Louise Ennis, Alfie Clark, Jazz Morris, Archer Burton, Jordan Allington, Orla Cutajar, Oscar Bowyer, Isabella Hughes, Ethan Graham, Olivija Marsalkaite, Jaxon Bedford Laity, Layla Selley-Dillon and Fran Mildren
Year 8 - Freddy Bonner, Archie Kershaw, Oscar Josey, Ethan Halliday, Isla-Mae Gale, Zack Jeneway, Caiden Edmonds, Jack Lennox-Statham, Myles Bonnici, Ela Uven, Myla Thomas, Joe Matthews, Emilia Hedgecock, Braxton Biggs, Zafirah Faryal, Laila Stuttaford, Nora Gordon, Cole Washington and Sophia Houghton
Year 9 - Cordi Williams-Powell, Harry Rowlands, Nanma John, Oscar Deegan, Toryn Bond, Ania Rozanska, Jelani Ondo-Chamielec, Morgan Fisher, Jack Robinson, Ebany Fawkes, Jack Crabb, Gabi Cobain, Mila Cairney, Harlow Bown, Rudy Abdulla and Seren Chadwick
House stars of the week
Year 7
Brunel - Benji Kittow
Christie - Charles Blocksage-Tomicek
Darwin - Remy Beaumont Gray
Fawcett - Oscar Bowyer
Harrison - Jordan Allington
Kitson - Freddie Osborne
Nearne - Ayda Snell
Pengelly - Deanna Clarke
Year 8
Brunel - Erin Ayres
Christie - Kaiden Ilhan
Darwin - Gabrielle Stadalninkaite
Fawcett - Henry Cooper
Kitson - Chrlie Williams-Powell
Nearne - Megan Bushell-Sneap
Pengelly - Emilia Hedgecock
Year 9
Brunel - Luke Sandeman
Christie - Alana Houlihan
Darwin - Lucy French
Fawcett - Belle Silvester
Harrison - Harley Smith
Kitson - Oscar Deegan
Nearne - Bonnie Talbot
Pengelly - Aaron Pinto
Homework Stars of the Week
Year 7
Brunel - Fran Mildren
Christie - Roni Bates
Darwin - Mason Lee Williams
Fawcett - Ruby Ward
Harrison - Archer Burton
Kitson - Evie Voisey
Nearne - Finn McCaul
Pengelly - Archie West
Year 8
Brunel - Mabel Clatworthy
Christie - Sienna Hunter
Darwin - Lucy Matthews
Fawcett - Bailey Jones
Kitson - Darcey Partridge
Nearne - Teddy Shobbrook
Pengelly - Scarlett Slater
Year 9
Brunel - George Pitts
Christie - Harry Austin
Darwin - Gabi Cobain
Fawcett - Riley Harper
Harrison - Annalise Little
Kitson - Seth McCann
Nearne - BIllie-Jo Dolling
Pengelly - Ben Walters
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