Kingsbridge Principal Takes School Phone Debate to the House of Lords

This month Tina Graham and Tom Chisholm, principal and assistant principal at Kingsbridge Community College attended a powerful round table discussion in the House of Lords, joining primary and secondary school leaders to discuss the benefits of banning smartphones in schools and the importance of backing such measures with legislation. South Devon MP Caroline Voaden was also at the event. 

At the event, headteachers shared how existing bans in their schools have simplified routines, reduced stress, and allowed staff to focus on teaching rather than managing devices. They emphasised that a statutory ban would be particularly transformative for vulnerable children, helping to tackle inequality and ensure that all students have uninterrupted learning time.

Dr Emily Barrett, an educational psychologist working with the Safer Screens initiative, highlighted the cognitive and emotional impact of smartphone use on young people. She noted that when teenagers use phones to avoid social anxiety, they miss crucial opportunities to develop resilience, cope with everyday stressors, and engage fully in learning and peer interactions.

The discussion also included voices from across the education sector, including a London primary head who stressed that any government committed to reducing inequality must support schools through legislation, and Executive Head Alison Ramsay from Ringwood, who called a statutory ban “the simplest and most transformational act” to improve the life chances of children.

This event underscores the growing national conversation around technology, learning, and wellbeing in schools, as educators, policymakers, and parents work together to ensure that young people can thrive both academically and emotionally.

Tina Graham, Principal at Kingsbridge Community College, said:

"At Kingsbridge Community College, we are committed to supporting the wellbeing, focus, and positive development of all our students. Piloting a smartphone-free environment has already shown the difference it can make, helping students engage more fully in lessons, interact with one another, and build resilience. Being part of the House of Lords discussion was a powerful opportunity to share this experience and to advocate for a wider approach that benefits all young people. I firmly believe that giving students protected, uninterrupted time each school day allows them to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally."

Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West said:

"We are proud of the work our schools are doing to support student wellbeing and learning. Tina’s participation in the House of Lords discussion highlights the practical impact of smartphone-free environments and the importance of national legislation to give all children the best chance to focus and develop healthy relationships with technology."

 

 

 

Kingsbridge Principal Takes School Phone Debate to the House of Lords This month Tina Graham and Tom Chisholm, principal and assistant principal at Kingsbridge Community College attended a powerful round table discussion in the House of Lords, joining primary and secondary school leaders to discuss the benefits of banning smartphones in schools and the importance of backing such measures with legislation. South Devon MP Caroline Voaden was also at the event.  At the event, headteachers shared how existing bans in their schools have simplified routines, reduced stress, and allowed staff to focus on teaching rather than managing devices. They emphasised that a statutory ban would be particularly transformative for vulnerable children, helping to tackle inequality and ensure that all students have uninterrupted learning time. Dr Emily Barrett, an educational psychologist working with the Safer Screens initiative, highlighted the cognitive and emotional impact of smartphone use on young people. She noted that when teenagers use phones to avoid social anxiety, they miss crucial opportunities to develop resilience, cope with everyday stressors, and engage fully in learning and peer interactions. The discussion also included voices from across the education sector, including a London primary head who stressed that any government committed to reducing inequality must support schools through legislation, and Executive Head Alison Ramsay from Ringwood, who called a statutory ban “the simplest and most transformational act” to improve the life chances of children. This event underscores the growing national conversation around technology, learning, and wellbeing in schools, as educators, policymakers, and parents work together to ensure that young people can thrive both academically and emotionally. Tina Graham, Principal at Kingsbridge Community College, said: "At Kingsbridge Community College, we are committed to supporting the wellbeing, focus, and positive development of all our students. Piloting a smartphone-free environment has already shown the difference it can make, helping students engage more fully in lessons, interact with one another, and build resilience. Being part of the House of Lords discussion was a powerful opportunity to share this experience and to advocate for a wider approach that benefits all young people. I firmly believe that giving students protected, uninterrupted time each school day allows them to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally." Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West said: "We are proud of the work our schools are doing to support student wellbeing and learning. Tina’s participation in the House of Lords discussion highlights the practical impact of smartphone-free environments and the importance of national legislation to give all children the best chance to focus and develop healthy relationships with technology."      

CareYourWay Inspires Students at Kingsbridge Community College Careers Fair

The CareYourWay South Devon team recently attended a careers event at Kingsbridge Community College giving students from years 7 to 13 the chance to explore a wide range of career paths and speak directly with local organisations about their futures.

In-House Trainer, Rob Gidley, and Head of Brand & Marketing, Anna Potgieter, represented CareYourWay, chatting with students about the rewarding world of care and sharing insights into the training, standards, and technology that underpin the sector, including the innovative Whzan Digital Health monitoring equipment. Joining them was the team’s training mannequin, Doris, who helped bring practical demonstrations to life.

Students also learned about the many ways CareYourWay care teams bring joy and connection to local communities, from their ‘Outstanding’-rated service for its clients, to wider community initiatives such as their festive ‘Present for a Pensioner’ scheme that has helped combat loneliness at Christmastime since 2016.

As proud Friends of the College, CareYourWay is committed to supporting the local community and helping the next generation discover how varied, meaningful, and rewarding a career in care can be.

The team is already looking forward to supporting future careers events and continuing to engage with young people across the region.

Tina Graham, Principal at Kingsbridge Community College, said:

"It was fantastic to welcome CareYourWay to our careers fair. Our students gained real insight into the care sector, saw the impact of technology in supporting communities, and left inspired by the passion and dedication of the team. Events like this are invaluable in helping young people explore future career options.”

Anna Potgieter, Head of Brand & Marketing at CareYourWay, shared:

"As a former student of the College, it was a genuine pleasure and privilege to return and support current students in exploring the wide range of opportunities available to them. As a leading local provider, we’re committed to engaging and inspiring the next generation - highlighting just how rewarding this line of work can be, with multiple pathways to suit different ambitions, whether as a long-term career or a stepping stone to other ventures. As proud Friends of KCC, we’re excited about what the future holds.”

 

CareYourWay Inspires Students at Kingsbridge Community College Careers Fair The CareYourWay South Devon team recently attended a careers event at Kingsbridge Community College giving students from years 7 to 13 the chance to explore a wide range of career paths and speak directly with local organisations about their futures. In-House Trainer, Rob Gidley, and Head of Brand & Marketing, Anna Potgieter, represented CareYourWay, chatting with students about the rewarding world of care and sharing insights into the training, standards, and technology that underpin the sector, including the innovative Whzan Digital Health monitoring equipment. Joining them was the team’s training mannequin, Doris, who helped bring practical demonstrations to life. Students also learned about the many ways CareYourWay care teams bring joy and connection to local communities, from their ‘Outstanding’-rated service for its clients, to wider community initiatives such as their festive ‘Present for a Pensioner’ scheme that has helped combat loneliness at Christmastime since 2016. As proud Friends of the College, CareYourWay is committed to supporting the local community and helping the next generation discover how varied, meaningful, and rewarding a career in care can be. The team is already looking forward to supporting future careers events and continuing to engage with young people across the region. Tina Graham, Principal at Kingsbridge Community College, said: "It was fantastic to welcome CareYourWay to our careers fair. Our students gained real insight into the care sector, saw the impact of technology in supporting communities, and left inspired by the passion and dedication of the team. Events like this are invaluable in helping young people explore future career options.” Anna Potgieter, Head of Brand & Marketing at CareYourWay, shared: "As a former student of the College, it was a genuine pleasure and privilege to return and support current students in exploring the wide range of opportunities available to them. As a leading local provider, we’re committed to engaging and inspiring the next generation - highlighting just how rewarding this line of work can be, with multiple pathways to suit different ambitions, whether as a long-term career or a stepping stone to other ventures. As proud Friends of KCC, we’re excited about what the future holds.”  

Kingsbridge Community College Students Showcase Creativity in ‘Sixth Sense’ Art Exhibition

 

Students from Kingsbridge Community College are showcasing their creative talents in a special A-Level Art and Photography exhibition titled “Sixth Sense”, currently on display at Harbour House in the town.

The exhibition, running until the 21st March, features an impressive collection of work created by A-Level students, exploring themes of perception, identity, imagination and the world around them through a range of artistic media. Visitors can view the exhibition Tuesday to Saturday, 10am–5pm.

The exhibition highlights the depth of creativity and technical skill developed by students through the college’s Art, Craft and Design curriculum. At Kingsbridge Community College, art is seen as a powerful way for students to express creative skill and imagination, producing work that communicates ideas, emotions and messages while developing confidence, resilience and critical thinking.

Throughout their studies, students explore a wide variety of artistic processes and techniques, including drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, textiles and mixed media. They are encouraged to experiment, take creative risks and develop personal responses to themes and ideas, building both technical expertise and their own artistic voice.

The “Sixth Sense” exhibition provides an opportunity for students to present this work to the local community, celebrating their achievements while demonstrating the importance of creativity and artistic exploration in education.

The exhibition also reflects the college’s commitment to enrichment and creative opportunities beyond the classroom. Students regularly take part in workshops, collaborations with practising artists and visits that connect them with the wider creative industries.

Tina Graham, Principal at Kingsbridge Community College, said:

“Art enables students to respond to the world in a personal and expressive way. Through projects like this exhibition, our students are able to showcase their creativity, explore powerful ideas and develop the confidence to share their artistic voices with a wider audience.”

Matthew Shank, CEO of Education South West said:

“It’s fantastic to see the creativity, imagination and technical skill our students have developed on display for the community. Exhibitions like ‘Sixth Sense’ highlight how important the arts are in education, giving young people the confidence to express their ideas, explore different perspectives and develop their own creative voice. We are incredibly proud of the students from Kingsbridge Community College for the dedication and originality they have shown in producing such an inspiring body of work.”

 

 

 

Kingsbridge Community College Students Showcase Creativity in ‘Sixth Sense’ Art Exhibition   Students from Kingsbridge Community College are showcasing their creative talents in a special A-Level Art and Photography exhibition titled “Sixth Sense”, currently on display at Harbour House in the town. The exhibition, running until the 21st March, features an impressive collection of work created by A-Level students, exploring themes of perception, identity, imagination and the world around them through a range of artistic media. Visitors can view the exhibition Tuesday to Saturday, 10am–5pm. The exhibition highlights the depth of creativity and technical skill developed by students through the college’s Art, Craft and Design curriculum. At Kingsbridge Community College, art is seen as a powerful way for students to express creative skill and imagination, producing work that communicates ideas, emotions and messages while developing confidence, resilience and critical thinking. Throughout their studies, students explore a wide variety of artistic processes and techniques, including drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, textiles and mixed media. They are encouraged to experiment, take creative risks and develop personal responses to themes and ideas, building both technical expertise and their own artistic voice. The “Sixth Sense” exhibition provides an opportunity for students to present this work to the local community, celebrating their achievements while demonstrating the importance of creativity and artistic exploration in education. The exhibition also reflects the college’s commitment to enrichment and creative opportunities beyond the classroom. Students regularly take part in workshops, collaborations with practising artists and visits that connect them with the wider creative industries. Tina Graham, Principal at Kingsbridge Community College, said: “Art enables students to respond to the world in a personal and expressive way. Through projects like this exhibition, our students are able to showcase their creativity, explore powerful ideas and develop the confidence to share their artistic voices with a wider audience.” Matthew Shank, CEO of Education South West said: “It’s fantastic to see the creativity, imagination and technical skill our students have developed on display for the community. Exhibitions like ‘Sixth Sense’ highlight how important the arts are in education, giving young people the confidence to express their ideas, explore different perspectives and develop their own creative voice. We are incredibly proud of the students from Kingsbridge Community College for the dedication and originality they have shown in producing such an inspiring body of work.”      

 

Kingsbridge Sixth Form Media Students Go Behind the Scenes at the BBC

Sixth form media students at Kingsbridge Community College have gained valuable insight into the news industry as part of an exciting interactive workshop with the BBC.

The group spent the day at the BBC news studios in Plymouth as part of their journalism module. As well as getting a tour of the studios, students got first-hand experience of live broadcasting, appearing on BBC Radio Devon as part of an interview about mobile phone use with presenter Caroline Densley.

Georgia Hamm was one of the students interviewed: 

“The radio production is so much more intimate and fun than I imagined. It opened up a realm of opportunities that I didn’t even know existed by letting me get involved with this live broadcast. I got to see that the jobs are all suited to the individual, utilising their strengths. “

Students also learned about interview techniques and got to put them into practice, questioning a panel of BBC staff, including some young apprentices. They got to take part in a host of interactive tasks which helped them to understand the importance of fact checking sources and providing impartial reports.

Student Art Lawrence described the experience as eye opening:

“It was very interactive and really exciting to gain behind-the-scenes access. It’s totally changed my perspective on how BBC radio and TV are made and produced and has made me realise how stimulating the job roles are. It gave us exposure to a fun and relaxed, yet engaging and productive work environment.”

The students will now be writing and publishing their own original news stories as part of their course.

Wat Kirby, Head of Media at Kingsbridge Community College said:

“Rhetoric and reality are a far cry apart and it’s wonderful to see students experiencing a busy newsroom and getting to practice the theoretical skills they’ve learned in class. Experiencing a professional environment like the BBC lets them see how the real world operates and start to think about how they might fit into that world.

Tina Graham, Principal at Kingsbridge Community College, said:

“In today’s increasingly competitive world, it’s crucial to futureproof students with the practical skills they need to get ahead. By working with key industry players like the BBC, we can not only inspire students but also give them the tools to forge a successful career.”

 

 

  Kingsbridge Sixth Form Media Students Go Behind the Scenes at the BBC Sixth form media students at Kingsbridge Community College have gained valuable insight into the news industry as part of an exciting interactive workshop with the BBC. The group spent the day at the BBC news studios in Plymouth as part of their journalism module. As well as getting a tour of the studios, students got first-hand experience of live broadcasting, appearing on BBC Radio Devon as part of an interview about mobile phone use with presenter Caroline Densley. Georgia Hamm was one of the students interviewed:  “The radio production is so much more intimate and fun than I imagined. It opened up a realm of opportunities that I didn’t even know existed by letting me get involved with this live broadcast. I got to see that the jobs are all suited to the individual, utilising their strengths. “ Students also learned about interview techniques and got to put them into practice, questioning a panel of BBC staff, including some young apprentices. They got to take part in a host of interactive tasks which helped them to understand the importance of fact checking sources and providing impartial reports. Student Art Lawrence described the experience as eye opening: “It was very interactive and really exciting to gain behind-the-scenes access. It’s totally changed my perspective on how BBC radio and TV are made and produced and has made me realise how stimulating the job roles are. It gave us exposure to a fun and relaxed, yet engaging and productive work environment.” The students will now be writing and publishing their own original news stories as part of their course. Wat Kirby, Head of Media at Kingsbridge Community College said: “Rhetoric and reality are a far cry apart and it’s wonderful to see students experiencing a busy newsroom and getting to practice the theoretical skills they’ve learned in class. Experiencing a professional environment like the BBC lets them see how the real world operates and start to think about how they might fit into that world. Tina Graham, Principal at Kingsbridge Community College, said: “In today’s increasingly competitive world, it’s crucial to futureproof students with the practical skills they need to get ahead. By working with key industry players like the BBC, we can not only inspire students but also give them the tools to forge a successful career.”    

Kingsbridge Students Gear Up for Safer Driving

Students at Kingsbridge Community College have taken part in a road safety workshop this month run by Learn2Live, an organisation which works to highlight the dangers young drivers face. 

Representatives from Learn2Live came along to the college to give a presentation. The talk included expert speakers from Local Authority Road Safety Teams, Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service, Devon and Cornwall Police, South West Ambulance, and Devon Air Ambulance.

Over the past five years young drivers in Devon and Cornwall have been involved in over 4,800 collisions, this represents 25% of all collisions despite young drivers only representing around 7% of licence holders. To help address this, the workshop was specifically designed to get young people thinking about road safety and to help them better appreciate specific dangers and consequences when on the roads.

Attendees fed back that they gained useful, practical insights into how their behaviour when driving can impact not only their safety but the safety of others. 

Tina Graham, Principal at Kingsbridge Community College, said: "Being a rural college, many of our students are on the road regularly, often driving long distances. This workshop was a vital opportunity for them to understand the real risks and make safer choices behind the wheel."

Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said: "With so many young drivers involved in collisions, it’s crucial we equip our students with practical knowledge. Road safety isn’t just about rules; it’s about protecting lives, and initiatives like this make a real difference."

Kingsbridge Students Gear Up for Safer Driving Students at Kingsbridge Community College have taken part in a road safety workshop this month run by Learn2Live, an organisation which works to highlight the dangers young drivers face.  Representatives from Learn2Live came along to the college to give a presentation. The talk included expert speakers from Local Authority Road Safety Teams, Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service, Devon and Cornwall Police, South West Ambulance, and Devon Air Ambulance. Over the past five years young drivers in Devon and Cornwall have been involved in over 4,800 collisions, this represents 25% of all collisions despite young drivers only representing around 7% of licence holders. To help address this, the workshop was specifically designed to get young people thinking about road safety and to help them better appreciate specific dangers and consequences when on the roads. Attendees fed back that they gained useful, practical insights into how their behaviour when driving can impact not only their safety but the safety of others.  Tina Graham, Principal at Kingsbridge Community College, said: "Being a rural college, many of our students are on the road regularly, often driving long distances. This workshop was a vital opportunity for them to understand the real risks and make safer choices behind the wheel." Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said: "With so many young drivers involved in collisions, it’s crucial we equip our students with practical knowledge. Road safety isn’t just about rules; it’s about protecting lives, and initiatives like this make a real difference."