Education and Training Awards 2020

Jun20200 Most Inspirational Day & Boarding School - SouthWest England West Buckland School is a co-educational day and boarding school, situated in picturesque countryside in North Devon. Over the years, the school has helped countless students to realise their potential, and help them through their years in education to achieve their ideal grades. Recently, we profiled West Buckland to discover more about the extraordinary level of dedication the school provides to every single one of their students. West Buckland School is a co-educational day and boarding school, situated in picturesque countryside in North Devon. Since it was founded in 1858, the school has helped thousands of students to realise their potential and exceed their expectations. Recently, we profiled West Buckland to discover more about the extraordinary level of dedication the school provides to each of its students. With 650 pupils aged between 3 and 18, West Buckland is one of the highest performing schools in the South West. Over 75% of its students achieve A*-B in their A-levels and the school has been shortlisted for Boarding School of the Year in both 2019 and 2020. West Buckland specialises in developing the potential of each child beyond the confines of the classroom. Offering a vast range of extra-curricular activities, the school has made significant changes to the teaching schedule to allow for a greater balance of academic and non-academic activities. The staff encourage students to participate in a range of activities suited to the individual, as well as inspiring them to reflect on how that has contributed to their development and enjoyment. This technique helps to develop the values that West Buckland calls its Seven Cs: seven characteristics which include Critical Thinking, Creativity and Curiosity. The school has specialist Sixth Form facilities, including 70 single en suite study bedrooms which are amongst the best in the country. The high quality of its sixth form facilities allow day and boarding students from the UK and abroad to learn and socialise together, providing a great environment for A-level study and a stepping- stone to university life and a bright future. As for how the school achieves this high level of results; it is through a well-crafted combination of inspirational and engaging teaching methods. The school uses its surroundings to its advantage, by getting out into the beautiful countryside to provide living examples of what is being taught. Nature and outdoor activities are welcomed by students, so despite West Buckland’s rural location, the beautiful surroundings enhance the innovative and forward thinking approach. They were one of the first schools to have a full timetable of online learning and, in a recent parent survey, 93% of parents were happy with the live online learning provision their child had received during lockdown. North Devon is historically a place of relatively low household incomes so West Buckland works hard to reach out to local school children in the area via its active Outreach Programme. The school collaborates with the local state schools to share its facilities and expertise on a wide range of different subjects with children throughout the region. Fantastic collaborative learning in a range of arts subjects takes place every year across North Devon. Students at West Buckland love their school and are very proud to be there. The school runs a strong bursary and scholarship programme, ensuring the education is accessible to as many children as possible. As such, most students have a solid work ethic and understand the value of what a good education will mean for them once they enter the wider world. West Buckland has been teaching children for 160 years and in the last 12 years it has invested over £14m into its facilities. From a new sports hall to a new sixth form boarding house, a state-of-the-art creative arts building as well as the Michael Morpurgo library, the school has undergone an incredible transformation so the staff can continue providing students with an impeccable level of teaching. Most recently, a new Personalised Learning Department supports children who may need additional learning help and ‘chill zones’ create areas of quiet during the busy school day. With future expansion in the pipeline, we cannot wait to see what else the future has in store for West Buckland School, the most inspirational day and boarding school in the South West region. Contact: Bish Muir Company: West Buckland School Web Address: www.westbuckland.com