Dartmouth Academy sees jump in student numbers.
Dartmouth Academy has seen a 11.8% increase in pupils and students on roll since opening in 2010.
And the all-through Academy is preparing for even more children to join its rosters as it prepares for an £8.5million rebuild this year, which will see it with some of the best specialist education facilities in Devon.
18 pupils have joined the primary phase of the all-through Academy since October and more have applied to join this term. 22 students have joined the Academy’s Secondary phase and Sixth Form during the same period of time. The Academy now has 528 pupils and students - up from 472 in September 2010.
This increase in numbers means that plans to have a year-per-class in the Primary phase of the Academy have been brought forward by a full year. It is now planned to have this system in September 2013 or perhaps even sooner, depending on further admissions.
The rapid increase is incredibly pleasing to the Academy not least because numbers are rising whilst the number of children across South Devon is falling. Dartmouth is bucking a trend thanks to rising standards, improving results, hardworking staff and a family atmosphere, according to Principal Nick Hindmarsh.
“We are delighted that families in Dartmouth and beyond are turning to us to meet the educational needs of their children,” he said. “We have had a positive year for results: staff here are working incredibly hard to drive up standards and they are succeeding. We have a strong and relevant curriculum that is helping all students make better progress, and our rebuild means everyone is soon going to have facilities to be proud of here.
“There is an atmosphere of positivity and achievement, and it is inspiring parents and their children to choose Dartmouth again, to trust their local school. We foster a supportive, family atmosphere and it shows in the behaviour and attitude of our pupils and students, and we are proud of how well they are doing, ably supported by our hard working staff.
“Our jump in numbers and our rebuild mean 2013 is going to be a great year for Dartmouth Academy.”
First published March/April 2013 By The Dart