Somerset students meet the PM
Pupils from Whitstone School in Shepton Mallet met Sir Keir Starmer on a school trip. Source link
Exeter College And Petroc Merger To Go Ahead In January – Exeter Observer
Exeter College And Petroc Merger To Go Ahead In January – Exeter Observer
Exeter College and Petroc will merge in the new year to create what they say will be the largest college group in the South West with more than 16,000 students, nearly 2,000 staff and an annual turnover of £100 million. Following approval by each college’s board of governors, the new organisation – Exeter and North
Campaign to tackle drop in A-level language studies in south west
University of ExeterThe University of Exeter will lead the South West region's language studies networkA campaign has been launched to tackle a decline in the number of young people learning modern languages at A-level in south west state schools.A network of schools in Devon and Cornwall has joined forces with the University of Exeter to make modern language studies "more accessible".The university said it would lead the Languages For All programme across the south west following a successful…
Special needs school in Street will expand in 2026
A school that supports children with complex emotional and mental health needs is set to expand.Inaura School has been operating one of its four Somerset sites at Leigh Road in Street since 2023.Somerset Council has now approved plans for the school to extend into a neighbouring building on Leigh Road, creating places for four additional pupils. The project is scheduled to be completed by summer 2026.A school spokesperson said: "We are proud to have found this additional building…
US tariffs ruin education dreams for children in India’s diamond hub | Unemployment
Surat, India – In 2018, Alpesh Bhai enrolled his three-year-old daughter in an English-language private school in Surat. This was something he never imagined possible while growing up in his village in the Indian state of Gujarat, where his family survived on small fields of fennel, castor and cumin, with their earnings barely enough to cover basic needs.He had studied in a public school, where, he recalled, “teachers were a rarity, and English almost didn’t exist”.Recommended Stories list of…
OUR FAVOURITE PHOTOS OF 2025
2025 has been another stunning year for live music, and Louder Than War’s photographers have been there to capture it. From intimate gigs to arenas and festival stages, our cameras have documented the raw energy, passion, and artistry that make live performance unforgettable. This year has seen headline-grabbing shows, breakout performances, and long-awaited returns, each one offering a unique glimpse into the ever-evolving music scene. Melanie Smith: Whilst I didn’t shoot as many gigs as I’d like this…
Children in Weston retell nativity as a breaking news story
A group of children have recreated the nativity as a breaking news story set where they live.The production by the youth group from Haywood village church in Weston-super-Mare had reporters and presenters as well as the traditional roles of Mary and Joseph. The Reverend Fiona Mayne said she wanted to make the Christmas story more relatable.The nativity was filmed by former students at Weston College and University of the West of England (UWE) and will be shown to…
Nigeria secures release of 100 kidnapped children, reports say | Child Rights News
At least 153 students and 12 teachers taken from a Catholic school last month remain in captivity.Nigerian authorities have secured the release of 100 children who were among hundreds kidnapped from a Catholic school in northern Nigeria last month, officials and local media have reported.The 100 children arrived in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, and are set to be handed over to local government officials in Niger State on Monday, an unnamed United Nations source told the AFP news agency.Recommended…
Santa swim sewage protest at Gyllyngvase Beach cancelled
Kirk England,Environment and tourism correspondent, Gyllyngvase BeachandLisa Young,CornwallBBCSurfers Against Sewage asked people to protest on the beach about water quality instead of swimmingA Santas Against Sewage swimming event had to be called off due to sewage in the water prompting an onshore protest over pollution instead.Surfers Against Sewage Cornwall had planned the festive event at Gyllyngvase Beach, Falmouth for Sunday to raise awareness of water quality.On Friday the campaign group said South West Water had released storm discharge…
‘Santa O’Clock’ and ‘first padel championships’
Rise ProductionsChristmas celebrations have been taking place across the West Country as we officially enter December.Festive events have been staged across the county, with people of all ages enjoying seasonal fun. But it is not all about Christmas - the area also played host to the inaugural padel championships.Here is a selection of pictures from the region in our weekly round-up.BristolRise ProductionsHo Ho Ho: Santa O'Clock is the first grotto the Cabot Circus shopping centre is hosting since…
Inside South West schools where phones are locked away
Walk into Brannel School in the morning and you will see teenagers locking away their phones - each device slips into a special pouch that locks until the end of the day.The phones stay with the pupils, but they are out of reach.Brannel, near St Austell, Cornwall, is among a number of schools in the South West that are clamping down on phones due to the distractions they create.Head teacher Tristan Muller-Forster said the system tackled what he…
Devon theatre school seeks new home to store historic costumes
A theatre school in Devon is looking for a new space to store several decades' worth of costumes after a leak in its roof. Willow Tree Dance and Theatre Arts School, based in Tiverton, said the building it currently stored the items in including handmade clothing, wigs and accessories had a leak. The school hosts about 274 pupils aged 18 months and upwards and said it hosts at least three shows a year. It added thanks to its…