Percentage and tables can be deceptive and need to be treated with care.  Moreover, schools place great value on students’ achievements in the wider field.  The wide curriculum offered by our schools provides some wonderful opportunities for young people to express themselves; to develop their interests, skills and confidence, and to find lifelong interests which will enrich their whole lives.  All Devon secondary schools provide opportunities in music, sport, drama, outdoor education and a host of other activities: it is important that these aspects are valued and developed.

The Arts in Schools

Devon schools are committed to using the arts as a tool for achieving positive educational and personal outcomes for their students and staff.  Dance is particularly strong and the County’s schools are known nationally for their commitment to raising the standards of dance by working with professional dancers and by supporting interested teachers.  Arts activities are often run in partnership with artists and local communities, and the County has an arts education partnership, DAISI (the Devon Arts in Schools Initiative), which provides advice, support and project management to develop this work.

A large number of County-wide music groups and ensembles are organised by Devon Youth Music, and there are first-class opportunities for students to perform in public.  In addition, most schools run orchestras and choirs, and some have developed more unusual specialisms such as African drumming or a balalaika ensemble.  In addition to traditional services, shows or events are run every school; many of these productions are ambitious musicals which involve students in everything from stage design and building to using sophisticated lighting rigs, as well as music, dancing, acting, make-up, costumes and stage management.

Trips and Visits

Students have the opportunity to travel widely in pursuit of their interests and courses of study.  In addition to arts, sporting and outdoor education-related activities, there are many trips as part of schools’ exchange programmes with another European country in order to support and develop students’ foreign language skills.  Some schools use the exchanges for their work experience, or as part of an educational Activities Week.  Students in Devon are able to take part in a wide range of curriculum-related activities – often part of technology, geography or media studies – throughout the UK, and further afield.

Sport

A wealth of sport is played by young people at Devon secondary schools, and many students continue their interest in sport long after they have left school.  A recent survey identified over 1200 school teams in almost 20 different sports, including hockey, rugby, soccer, netball, tennis, athletics, basketball, table-tennis, sailing and swimming.  Selected players have represented Devon in competitions across the country, and some have progressed to national honours, travelling to many parts of the world to represent England.  Devon students have won national recognition in a wide range of sport, including gymnastics, cricket, rugby, athletics, hockey, judo and yachting.

Outdoor Education

Devon schools take full advantage of the opportunities presented by Dartmoor and by Devon’s coastal and countryside areas to pursue outdoor activities and to gain residential experience.  There are opportunities for students to take part in caving, canoeing, climbing and other adventurous pursuits, such as the Ten Tors event.

Work Experience

The great majority of 15-year-olds have the experience of working for a least a week outside school in a business of some kind, while the Young Enterprise scheme gives the opportunity for students to experience setting-up and running a business.  Business Enterprise and Industry Days are organised, and managers of many businesses act as mentors or advisers to pupils.

Other Activities

The outline above is far from exhaustive.  Every school takes part in raising money for good causes; there are exhibitions of students’ work in art, video and textiles; older students assist younger ones through homework clubs or visiting primary schools.  There are visits to art galleries and museums, and to musical and dramatic performances.  Many students take part in environmental work – for example through the Action at School project, in which students have investigated and devised ways to help their school to conserve energy and water, and to reduce waste.

Specialist opportunities are offered to students through pre-driving courses, personal effectiveness programmes, thinking skills courses and health awareness education.  Students are able to develop their debating and public speaking skills through opportunities such as the Rotary Club’s “Youthspeaks” programme, and schools’ own debating clubs.

The students who attend Devon schools have wonderful opportunities to extend themselves through this wide range of activities.  It is a great pleasure to record their activities and achievements in this way.

Phil Norrey
Director of Education, Arts and Libraries