Torbay school set to refocus on children with autism

Post published:December 4, 2025
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John AyresBBC Devon, TorquayBBCCombe Pafford School in Torquay currently supports children with moderate learning difficultiesA special school which supports children with moderate learning difficulties (MLD) and autism is set to switch its focus entirely to autism.It follows an Ofsted area inspection which highlighted Torbay was not meeting the needs of children with Special Educational Needs (Send).If plans are approved by the Department for Education, all pupils in the September 2026 intake at Combe Pafford School, Torquay, will need…

Alleged victims left ‘confused’ after Plymouth sex abuse

Post published:December 3, 2025
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People accusing a former defence solicitor of sexual abuse were left feeling "confused" by the alleged actions, a court has heard.Alan Harris, 72, of Thorn Park, Plymouth, is on trial at Winchester Crown Court accused of 12 charges of indecent assault, eight charges of sexual assault and two charges of rape, dating from 1989 to 2015.While summing up the case on Wednesday, Recorder of Winchester Judge Angela Morris said the alleged victims, who were clients of Mr Harris,…

University deepens its commitments to responsible research assessment

Post published:December 3, 2025
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The University of Exeter has joined a global movement aimed at transforming the way research is evaluated, making it fairer and more inclusive. The University has signed the Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment, a commitment by hundreds of organisations worldwide to recognise the diversity of contributions that go into research. As part of this, Exeter has also joined the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA). Historically, research assessment methods have sometimes relied upon publication-based metrics, such as citation…

Nancy Astor legacy lives on as Plymouth trust keeps giving

Post published:December 3, 2025
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A century after a charity was created by ground-breaking MP Nancy Astor, it is still changing lives in her city.Lady Astor made history in 1919 as the first woman to take a seat in the House of Commons, representing Plymouth Sutton.The Plymouth Astor Trust, founded by Lady Astor and her husband in 1925, has donated nearly £485,000 to causes across the city since 2006.Children's Wishes Plymouth, which received £1,000 from the trust, was among a number of charities…

Plymouth dog walker injured in late-night park attack

Post published:December 3, 2025
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A dog walker received a cut to his chest after being attacked in a park, police have said.Officers from Devon and Cornwall Police were called to reports of a serious assault in Yealmpstone Park in the Plympton area of Plymouth at about 23:30 GMT on 26 November.The force said a man who was walking his dog was approached by two unknown men and suffered an injury during an altercation which required hospital treatment. Police said officers were "not…

R360 delay is ‘positive news’ for Prem, says Exeter boss Rob Baxter

Post published:December 3, 2025
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Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter says the postponement of proposed global franchise league R360 is positive for the Prem.The new league was set to start next year, but has been put back until at least 2028. Most global unions and the British & Irish Lions had said players taking part in the event would not be eligible to play internationally. R360 had hoped to launch an inaugural event in October 2026, with eight men's sides and four…

Tom Cleverley hopes Vertu Trophy win can set Plymouth Argyle rhythm

Post published:December 3, 2025
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Tolaj's effort was again crucial - the Swiss striker has scored every Argyle goal since the start of October.But the 24-year-old will be suspended for the next three games after being sent off for violent conduct in the 3-0 home defeat by Northampton Town on Saturday. Tolaj will face no further punishment for his reaction to his red card after he kicked a ball towards the away fans at Home Park as he made his way to the…

Gary Caldwell: Exeter City ‘outclassed’ in Vertu Trophy loss, says boss

Post published:December 3, 2025
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Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell says his players were "outclassed in every department" in their 4-0 EFL Vertu Trophy loss at Luton Town.The Grecians made six changes to the side that were narrowly beaten at high-flying Bradford City on Saturday, but were second best at Kenilworth Road. Two Lasse Nordas goals either side of a strike from Shayden Morris put the Hatters 3-0 up before half-time. Zack Nelson added a fourth midway through the second half to comprehensively…

Julio Pleguezuelo: Plymouth Argyle defender impresses on return

Post published:December 3, 2025
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Plymouth Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley says he was impressed by Julio Pleguezuelo’s return from injury on Tuesday night.The 28-year-old defender played his first competitive game since the end of April in the 1-0 Vertu Trophy win at Leyton Orient, after recovering from knee surgery."I thought he was excellent tonight, he looked really assured, he played some really nice balls in the channel," Cleverley told BBC Radio Devon."He did all his defensive work professionally, dominated aerially and he…

University of Exeter to lead national modern languages campaign in the region

Post published:December 3, 2025
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A new campaign tackling the decline in the number of young people learning modern languages at A-level is being launched in the South West. Languages For All establishes a network of state schools in Cornwall and Devon working together to make advanced modern language study valued, possible and normalised in the region. Schools will collaborate to deliver joint A-level classes, either after-hours or online, ensuring that every 16-year-old can access the course if they wish to, even if…

Exeter helps lawyer and father of two beat cycling greats in his 40s

Post published:December 3, 2025
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Raising a family and working as a lawyer would keep most people busy enough, but not for one amateur cyclist who at the age of 41 is making a big name for himself in the sport – with support from experts at the University of Exeter through a service which is now open to all. Andrew Feather, from Bath, made international headlines in October when he beat four-time Tour de France winner and current World Champion, Tadej Pogačar,…

More than 100 arrests in county lines operation across South West

Post published:December 3, 2025
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Anna VarleSouth West home and social affairs correspondentBBCMore than 100 arrests were made across the South West in a week of police action against drugs and child exploitationPolice have seized guns and arrested more than 100 people across the south west of England in a week of police action against drugs and child exploitation.Operation Scorpion targets gangs who use young people to traffic drugs into the region from major cities. Police said 122 people were arrested across the…