Welcoming Our New Year 7s
It was a real pleasure to welcome our new Year 7 students to Torquay Academy on Thursday as they began an exciting new chapter in their education.
We have been absolutely delighted with the way they have approached their first two days. They have been a genuine joy to work with, settling quickly into school life and making an excellent impression on everyone they have met. Their tutors have spoken incredibly highly of their attitude, enthusiasm and conduct.
Miss Essam-Wood, their Head of Year, and Miss Pappin, the Assistant Principal who provides the year group’s senior leadership link, have also been full of praise for them. Moving into secondary school is a significant step, but our newest students have approached the experience with confidence, maturity and a real willingness to get involved.
Thursday began with a welcome from their tutors and Heads of House before students toured the school, completed their literacy assessments and learned about the routines and expectations that will help them thrive at Torquay Academy. They also enjoyed a House quiz before coming together for a final assembly.
I particularly enjoyed leading that assembly at the end of Thursday. It was a lovely way to reflect on an extremely positive first day and to celebrate how well Year 7 had already begun to embrace life at TA.
An Exciting Extra-curricular Fayre
A real highlight of Thursday was the Extra-curricular Fayre, where Year 7 discovered the enormous range of clubs, activities and opportunities available to them at Torquay Academy.
The fayre gave students the chance to explore new interests, speak to staff and begin deciding which activities they would like to join. The aim is for every Year 7 student to take part in at least one club, helping them build friendships, develop new skills and make the most of everything our school has to offer.
It was wonderful to see so much enthusiasm around the fayre, and the photographs capture the excitement brilliantly.
A Fantastic First Fun Friday
Year 7 rounded off their first two days at Torquay Academy with a brilliant Fun Friday packed with friendly competition, teamwork and plenty of fun.
The playground was transformed for a carnival game extravaganza, giving students the chance to take on a variety of entertaining challenges alongside their new friends. There was a fantastic atmosphere as students encouraged one another, represented their tutor groups and threw themselves enthusiastically into every activity.
The sporting challenges were equally popular, with students testing their accuracy in netball and basketball shooting competitions before stepping up to take part in a penalty shootout. These activities gave everyone another opportunity to get involved, build their confidence and enjoy being part of their new school community.
It was the perfect way to end an extremely successful first week for Year 7. We have been delighted by their enthusiasm, conduct and willingness to participate, and their first Fun Friday gave us another glimpse of what a wonderful year group they are going to be.
Learning the TA Way
On Friday, Year 7 joined the rest of the school for the first day of this year’s TA Way programme.
Their day included practising our core routines and line-ups, exploring the habits and target-setting that support success, understanding online homework expectations and learning how to approach revision effectively. They also began thinking about their longer-term aspirations through the Climbing Your Career Mountain activity.
These first two days have given Year 7 a strong introduction to our expectations, values and opportunities. We could not have asked for a more positive start from them, and we are excited to see what they will achieve.
Record Numbers Return to Sixth Form
Thursday also saw us welcome a record number of students into Year 12 following another highly successful set of GCSE results.
Their induction began by celebrating that success and welcoming students into our Sixth Form community. Throughout the day, they met their tutors and subject teachers, considered their future aspirations and explored what successful Sixth Form study looks like.
There was also time to build new friendships over hot chocolate and pastries, hear advice from current Year 13 ambassadors, explore the Sixth Form through a passport challenge and finish with the Great Sixth Form Quiz.
On Friday, Year 12 began the TA Way programme with sessions focused on becoming a Sixth Former, academic and professional behaviour, effective study, support and the routines that will help them succeed. We are thrilled to welcome such a large and ambitious new cohort and look forward to supporting them over the next two years.
A Brilliant Start for the Whole School
The rest of our students returned on Friday, bringing the whole Torquay Academy community back together for the new academic year.
Every year group began its TA Way programme, revisiting the routines, expectations and habits that underpin success at our school. It was fantastic to see our corridors and classrooms full once again and to witness such a purposeful, positive start across the academy.
We have been enormously impressed by the way our students have returned and look forward to another exciting and successful year at Torquay Academy.
CCF Team Makes School History with Three Peaks Sunrise Challenge
Torquay Academy CCF has made school history by successfully completing an incredible Three Peaks Sunrise Challenge, climbing the three highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales over three days, with the unique goal of reaching each summit in time to experience the sunrise.
This was the first time the CCF team had attempted the challenge, setting a new benchmark for adventure and achievement in the history of the school.
The adventure began at midnight on Monday as the team travelled north to Scotland and the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK. After settling in for a short rest, alarms sounded at 0040 hrs and the team prepared to tackle their first peak.
With head torches on, the cadets began climbing through the darkness, relying on one another and showing determination with every step. Their efforts were rewarded with an incredible sunrise from Ben Nevis. It was the perfect way to mark the completion of peak number one. The team made their way safely back down and were ready for a well-earned breakfast by 0800 hrs.
With camp packed away, there was little time to rest as the team travelled south to the Lake District and their next challenge: Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain.
Arriving in the late afternoon, the focus turned to recovery and essential “body maintenance”, followed by a good meal and an early night. Another very early alarm followed, with the team beginning their ascent of Scafell Pike at 0130 hrs.
Once again, the cadets climbed through the darkness before being rewarded at the summit with another spectacular sunrise. With two mountains now successfully completed, the team descended for breakfast before packing up and heading towards Wales for the final stage of the challenge.
The last stop was Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), the highest mountain in Wales. After another evening of refuelling and preparing tired legs for one final effort, the team were up and ready to begin their final ascent at 0100 hrs.
Despite the physical demands of the previous two days, the cadets showed outstanding resilience and teamwork as they tackled their third mountain. Reaching the summit and witnessing their third sunrise in three days was an unforgettable moment and the perfect way to complete this unique challenge.
By 0800 hrs, the team were safely back down, marking the successful completion of the Three Peaks Sunrise Challenge before beginning the long journey home to Torquay.
Over three demanding days, the cadets climbed Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon, managing fatigue, travelling hundreds of miles and repeatedly waking in the early hours to begin their climbs in darkness.
This was about far more than reaching three summits. It was a challenge of resilience, determination, teamwork and commitment. Every member of the team played their part, supporting and encouraging one another when the going became tough.
To witness the sunrise from all three peaks was a remarkable achievement and a fitting reward for an outstanding group of young people.
The CCF team can be incredibly proud of what they have accomplished. They have not only completed an extraordinary challenge but have also created a new chapter in the history of Torquay Academy.
Please take a moment to view pictures from the event on our X (Twitter) page, @CCFtorquay.
Ex-student Returns to Torquay United
We were delighted to see former Torquay Academy student Callum Morton return home this summer after signing for Torquay United for the 2026/27 season. After leaving the club’s youth system in 2015, Callum continued his apprenticeship at Yeovil Town before joining West Bromwich Albion in 2017. He went on to gain valuable first-team experience during loan spells with Braintree Town, Northampton Town, Lincoln City, Fleetwood Town and Peterborough United.
One of the highlights of Callum’s career came during his first spell with Northampton. He scored eight goals in 12 appearances, including three during the play-offs, and found the net in their 4-0 League Two play-off final victory over Exeter City at Wembley in 2020. He was named Man of the Match as Northampton secured promotion to League One. Permanent moves to Fleetwood Town and Salford City followed, along with spells at Forest Green Rovers, Northampton again, Bristol Rovers and Worthing. We are incredibly proud of everything Callum has achieved and thrilled to see him return to his hometown club.
