With the pressure from changes in education and the increasing accountability from Ofsted we are seeing many schools nationally finding they have no time to develop those additional life skills that are so important particularly those transferable skills that are essential for employers.

Despite this it was fantastic to attend the citywide launch of our Employability Passport which Mrs Moreton our Information, Advice and Guidance Co-ordinator has been developing for several years at DHSB.

The passport, which is now in partnership with Eggbuckland Community College, the 1000 Club and Plymouth City Council, will take place in all Plymouth secondary schools.

It was brilliant to see Mrs Moreton, supported by some of our students, talking so passionately and confidently about the positive impact that the passport has made in our school. It was exciting to hear that so many businesses in the city are committed to supporting the programme.

Pictured is Mrs Moreton with Tom Cahill, Edwin Tsang, Tom Showell, James O’Connell, Tom Jones, Daniel Farnham, Sam Lenthall and Yasin Soliman.

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

As a school we are strongly committed to supporting the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award as once again the skills and experiences developed through this programme will give our students the edge when they progress to higher education or employment.

Mr Huq has confirmed the following numbers of students have signed up for the award scheme this year.

Bronze 103 Silver 14 Gold 18

Bronze and silver expedition training took place last weekend and students and staff will be out on Dartmoor again over the next two days.

Special thanks to all of our staff who provide these opportunities outside of their day to day responsibilities.

Charity Support

Students began their fundraising for Heart Radio’s Global’s Make Some Noise charity appeal yesterday by collecting £848.69 (mufti-day funds).

More charity events are being planned.

Very well done to Peter Clifford 10P who completed the arduous 52km Tour de Moor across South Dartmoor in 3hrs 37mins last Sunday.

Peter is raising money for St Luke’s Hospice, a very worthwhile local charity.

DHSB in London

Mr Forte and Mr Shahin were invited to be two of just seven individuals in the UK to be trained and accredited as European ENABLE Ambassadors. They completed their initial training in London this week and will now train colleagues to use these new resources both in our school and in neighbouring schools.

ENABLE (European Network Against Bullying in Learning and Leisure Environments) is funded by the European Commission and the aim of the programme is to combat bullying in school by making a change to the whole school climate including students, teachers, parents and the wider community around the school.

At the heart of ENABLE is a firm belief that a holistic, all-school approach based on improving the emotional wellbeing of young people is the key to tackling and eliminating bullying.

I was also in the capital on Tuesday when I attended a reception at the House of Commons. I was able to speak to Nicky Morgan, Secretary of State for Education, and talk to her about the fantastic things happening here at DHSB.

I was also delighted to pick up a copy of the London Evening Standard and to see former student James Anderson featured in the business section!

Sports News

The Sixth Form B team beat Plymouth University 6 – 1 on Wednesday afternoon to climb the Devon Wednesday League table.

Mr Strang reports an excellent 70 – 0 win against Ivybridge Community College for the Year 7 Rugby B team last evening.

And finally, this week saw the final session of the new DHSB Surf Club which has been enjoyed by staff and students this term.