In September 2005 the school gained Humanities Specialist Status, with Geography, History and Citizenship the lead subjects. Now in its fourth year, partnerships have been established with a wide range of organisations, providing many opportunities for staff, students and the wider community. This supports the school’s drive to raise standards within the school and wider community and to make Churston a centre of excellence in education. A whole school approach, creativity, internationalism, partnership, further facility development… these are the themes that symbolise Humanities Status.

Partnerships include… GlobalEd; Met Office; South Devon Geographical Association; Torbay LA; Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust; Devon Wildlife Trust; Galmpton History Society; Primary and Secondary School links.

For example, our work with Devon Wildlife Trust, where a Project Officer has been seconded to the school to support the School’s Force for Change programme. With student representatives, this will drive further forward our understanding of what sustainable development means, and aim to reach the ambitious target of being a fully sustainable school by 2020. Ultimately, we are aiming to create an organisation that is sustainable to act as a model for others to follow.

David Lewis

October 2008