2nd at the National Innovation Challenge
We are buzzing with pride after three of its brilliant teams were shortlisted for the prestigious National Innovation Challenge, vying for a prize trip to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston! This is a truly fantastic achievement, with our school making up three of the final ten school teams nationally.
The innovative projects showcased the diverse talents within our current Year 10 GCSE Product Design students. "Wrap n’ Bloom," conceived by Maisie Sandercock, Alba Fogarty, and Ellie Farthing, presented edible confectionery packaging with a plantable flower seed-infused tray – a sweet treat with a green conscience! Adam Sadlick, Harry Paull, and Harrison Richards developed "Addatree," a fitness tracker app designed to encourage active lifestyles by reducing carbon footprints and planting trees with each milestone achieved.
However, it was the "RAV - Robotic Algae Vacuum" that made it to the final three in the entire country! This ingenious device, envisioned by George O'Hanlon, Oliver Cocker and Barnaby George, is designed to be deployed in open water to filter poisonous algal blooms and encourage biodiversity. It was inspired by George's personal experience with an algae bloom during a family holiday to Canada.
George, Oliver and Barnaby were invited with family members and Mr Hadley to a dazzling black-tie gala dinner and presentation evening on Friday, July 11th, at the IET Savoy Place in London. The event kicked off with drinks and stunning views over the River Thames, accompanied by the live sound of an award-winning violinist. The gala dinner was compèred by former Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq and featured a keynote speech from Richard Pennycook CBE of the Department for Education.
The boys did an exceptional job presenting their idea on stage, captivating the audience. While they didn't clinch the overall prize, they were highly commended and proudly received a trophy for their ground breaking work. The evening also featured a mesmerising performance by David Penn, the technology magician and Britain's Got Talent finalist, leaving everyone stunned. This incredible experience has truly inspired George, Oliver and Barnaby to pursue future careers in STEM subjects, marking a significant milestone in their academic journeys.
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Mrs Watling - National Teaching Awards
We are incredibly proud to share that Mrs Watling, our Designated Safeguarding Lead, has been awarded a Highly Commended award in the Lifetime Teaching category at the National Teaching Awards.
Mrs Watling (who isn't retiring yet!) has had an extraordinary 43-year career at Torquay Academy, which has been defined by unwavering dedication to the most vulnerable students in our community. From her pioneering work with Looked After Children and Young Carers to the safeguarding systems she has built, her influence has transformed lives, shaped local policies, and raised the standard of care across the region. She has always believed that no child’s start in life should limit their future, and her actions have reflected that belief every single day.
Mrs Watling is not only a champion for students, but also a mentor to colleagues, a trainer of staff, and a deeply respected figure in the wider safeguarding community. Her impact will continue to be felt at Torquay Academy for years to come, through the systems she’s created, the professionals she’s inspired, and the lives she’s changed.
This national recognition is a fitting tribute to a truly exceptional teacher, one whose quiet determination, compassion, and integrity have made a lasting difference. We are very proud of her and this recognition of her dedication to the students of our school.
Barcelona trip
After months of hard work, planning and delivering a truly memorable Summerfest 2025, our sixth form music students earned a well deserved reward….. an unforgettable trip to the Catalonian capital, Barcelona.
Barcelona is a city that brims with culture, history, and a thriving live music scene — the perfect destination for our talented young musicians to unwind, be inspired, and broaden their horizons.
Our adventure began with an evening at the iconic Hard Rock Cafe, where students enjoyed a meal surrounded by memorabilia from rock legends such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bruce Springsteen and Metallica. Afterwards, we strolled along the beautiful Barcelona promenade, soaking in the atmosphere of this vibrant city and capping off a magical first night in the city.
Day two started with a visit to Gaudí’s breathtaking Sagrada Família. This world-famous, unfinished masterpiece left everyone in awe. We followed this with a spot of shopping and the chance to savour some of Barcelona’s renowned culinary delights.
In the afternoon, we headed to the city’s famous beach to catch some rays and play ball games with a beautiful glistening Mediterranean backdrop.
No trip to Barcelona would be complete without experiencing its celebrated jazz scene. We were lucky enough to hear some of the city’s finest jazz musicians, catching the brilliant Out of Space Band at the legendary 23 Robadors an intimate venue that captures the true spirit of live jazz, typical of the Catalonian freewheeling spirit. We leave Barcelona inspired, enriched, and just the right amount of tired.
These students have given so much this year and achieved wonderful things already. We can’t wait to see what they will do when they return as Year 13s. Well done to all our music students, they had earned every moment of this incredible experience and were a privilege to take away.
Manchester City training camp
On Tuesday and Wednesday, our Year 8 football squad enjoyed an unforgettable two-day tour of Manchester City.
The first day kicked off with a fantastic training session at the world-class Etihad Campus, led by Manchester City’s professional coaching staff. The facilities were outstanding, and the staff made our boys feel incredibly welcome. Dressed in the famous sky blue of City, the lads looked the part and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Following training, the group was treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the Etihad Stadium. It was a real eye-opener for our players, filled with photo opportunities and memorable moments to treasure. A visit to the club shop gave everyone the chance to pick up some souvenirs for themselves and gifts for family and friends.
After checking in at the hotel, the team enjoyed a sit-down meal before heading out for an evening of ten-pin bowling. The healthy competition and laughs shared made for a perfect end to a packed first day. With rooms sorted and excitement high, it was time to rest up.
Day two began with a breakfast meeting to run through the day ahead, fuelling up with a hearty English breakfast and fresh fruit. The squad then returned to the Etihad Campus for a second session with City’s coaches. Once again, the boys were challenged and inspired, thriving in the professional academy environment.
After the session, there were more photo opportunities and time to chat with staff before heading to the academy restaurant for a well-earned lunch. With full stomachs and happy memories, the squad boarded the coach for the journey home.
This tour was a truly special experience—one our players will remember for a long time. The social bonding, personal growth, and inspiration gained from being in a new and elite setting will no doubt benefit the group as they look to build on an incredible double-winning season.
Memories made. Opportunities taken. A perfect way to close out the school year.
year 12 goeography fieldwork in london
The Year 12 Geographers enjoyed a great 2 days in London comparing regeneration in East London. Students compared the regeneration that occurred in the Docklands area (now known as Canary Wharf) to the regeneration that occurred as a result of the London 2012 Olympics in Stratford. An early 6am start did not deter the students who worked incredibly hard all day, racking up 24,000 steps for Day 1 alone!
theme parks
Over the course of a few days, students enjoyed visits to three popular local theme parks: Woodlands, Splashdown, and Crealy. They threw themselves into the rides, water slides, and a wide range of fun activities on offer at each park. It was great to see them having such a good time together, making the most of the experience and enjoying some well-earned fun with friends.
in-school Activities
Students in school enjoyed a fantastic few days packed with fun and varied activities led by our brilliant staff. From hands-on Science experiments and creative Art sessions to a lively Quiz, Bake Off, and Craft workshops, there was something for everyone. Students also had the chance to get active with Sports or unwind with Movie time and Board Games. It was a great opportunity to try new things, spend time with friends, and enjoy a brilliant time together.
Inflatables
A huge thank you to Ant and Riviera Events for transforming our sports hall into an inflatable wonderland! Each year group had the chance to enjoy a fantastic session packed with energy, laughter, and brilliant activities. From inflatable axe-throwing and basketball to a bouncy castle, penalty shootout, and an epic inflatable run, there was something for everyone. Students also took on full-size Tetris, mini-car racing, giant table football and more. It was a brilliant way for everyone to let off steam and enjoy some well-deserved fun together.
House carousel
Each of the year groups had a House Competition with a carousel of different activities. There were a wide variety of different challenges that were lots of fun: Music Quiz, Dingbats, Penalty shootout, Letter and numbers quiz, Ring toss & Buzzer line, Basketball shoot, Hula-hoop and Sack race.
Work experience
Our Year 10 and Year 12 students have been out on work experience this week, and they’ve been absolutely outstanding. We’ve received so many positive comments from employers, who have been incredibly generous in offering placements and supporting our students as they explored a wide range of careers. Staff who visited the students in their placements were full of praise, and it’s been wonderful to hear just how well they’ve represented themselves and the school. We’re extremely proud of them all and look forward to welcoming them back in Years 11 and 13 in September.
A special thank you to Pennywell Farm, who welcomed Mr Gale on his birthday with a message on the blackboard and a rosette!
Art Students Shine in 2025 Art Inspo Awards
A huge congratulations to three talented GCSE Art students who have captured the spotlight in this year’s Art Inspo Awards 2025, securing over 300 votes from students and staff in an inspiring celebration of creativity and originality across Year 9, 10 and 12.
Year 9 student Imogen Harnett took first place, earning 25% of the total votes for her breath taking pencil drawing. Her piece impressed the voters with it's precision, depth, and emotive detail.
In second place was Year 10 student Daisy Cosh, whose stunning hand-embellished corset blended fashion and fine art, showcasing incredible craftsmanship and a unique vision.
Will Kelly in Year 10 secured third place with a captivating surreal colour pencil study that invited viewers into a dreamlike world full of imagination and bold technique.
This year’s competition was made even more special thanks to generous prize donations. Art and food-related goodies were kindly provided by The Range in Newton Abbot and Poundland in Torquay. Adding a personal touch, a giant crocheted pencil plush was created and donated by Year 13 student Coral Rogers, who now runs her own creative business, Coral Creations.
The ARTi award not only celebrated the outstanding talents of young artists, but also showed the strength of community support and the inspiring paths former students continue to carve. Well done to all involved – the future of art is in excellent hands!
Sports Day
This year’s Sports Day was a brilliant celebration of athleticism, teamwork, and school spirit. The event took place across two action-packed days, starting with the heats and field sport finals on Monday, held within individual year groups. Students competed with real determination and enthusiasm, setting the stage for a memorable finale.
On Tuesday afternoon, we came together as a whole school for the final events, an inspiring occasion that brought students and staff together in celebration of sport. The running finals and house relays were the centrepiece of the afternoon, with many long-standing records broken and exceptional individual performances throughout. The atmosphere was fantastic, with students cheering each other on and proudly representing their houses.
We were incredibly impressed with the way our students embraced the day, from those breaking records to those competing for the very first time. Their energy, attitude, and sportsmanship were a credit to them and to the school. A huge thank you must also go to our staff team, whose behind-the-scenes organisation and support ensured the smooth running of both days.
Congratulations to all of our medal winners, and to everyone who took part and represented their houses so brilliantly. The success of this year’s Sports Day was fittingly celebrated in our final end-of-year assembly, a reminder of just how much we can achieve when we come together as a community.
You can see pictures of all of our winners on our Facebook post:
Torquay Academy House Golf Competition
Torquay Academy’s House Sport program has made an exciting addition to its calendar this year with the introduction of golf—and it’s already proving to be a big hit.
Following the huge success of November’s debut event at Teign Valley Golf Club, student interest in the sport has soared, with many now proudly joining Torquay Golf Club to pursue their passion.
Last week saw the second official House Golf Competition take place, with an impressive 34 students stepping up to the challenge. The event showcased outstanding talent, sportsmanship, and growing enthusiasm across all year groups.
A massive congratulations goes to Freddie Fenner, who delivered a remarkable performance to secure the title of 2025 House Golf Champion with an incredible score of 42 points.
2nd place-Jack Alcock (41 points)
3rd place-Leon Snell (39 points)
Well done to all who took part—this is just the beginning of an exciting golf journey at Torquay Academy.
