Blackawton Pupils Dive in to London Premiere of Sir David Attenborough's ‘Oceans’

A group of Year 3 pupils from Blackawton Primary School had the incredible honour of travelling to London this month as invited ambassadors to attend the premiere of ‘Oceans’, the latest film by Sir David Attenborough.

The special event brought together environmental leaders, educators, and young changemakers from across the UK, and Blackawton pupils stood out as shining examples of enthusiasm, curiosity, and impeccable behaviour. The invitation to attend the premiere was a result of the school’s ongoing work around sustainability and environmental education, areas that align closely with the messages of the film.

‘Ocean with David Attenborough’ is a powerful new documentary that premiered on Sir David Attenborough’s 99th birthday at London’s Royal Festival Hall. Featuring breathtaking footage and a compelling call to action, the film explores the beauty and fragility of the world’s oceans, highlighting urgent issues like climate change, pollution, and overfishing. The film supports global conservation efforts and offers a hopeful message about the potential for ocean recovery through collective action.

The day was not only unforgettable for the children, but also a powerful reminder of how education can connect pupils to the big issues of our time, equipping them to care for the planet and be part of a positive future.

Liam Fielding, headteacher at Blackawton Primary School, said:

“Our Year 3 children were absolute role models in every way during this amazing experience. From the moment they arrived, they represented their school and community with pride, and maturity beyond their years.

They embraced the day with excitement and respect, and their passion for learning about the natural world was clear to everyone they met. We are so proud of them.”

Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said:

“This was a truly unforgettable opportunity for our pupils to be part of something extraordinary. To attend the premiere of Sir David Attenborough’s latest film and represent their school as ambassadors is a testament to the values they nurture at Blackawton. Sustainability is a real strength of the school, and it’s inspiring to see such young learners engaging with global issues and showing such pride in protecting our planet. We couldn’t be prouder.”

Year 5 Get a Glimpse of the Future at Dartmouth Academy’s Activity Day

Dartmouth Academy Hosts Activity Day with Local Primary Schools 

Dartmouth Academy, part of Education South West, has held a Year 5 Activity Day with 76 pupils from Stoke Fleming Primary School, Blackawton Primary School, and the primary element of the all through school coming together for a day full of hands-on fun and learning.

The event was designed to give Year 5 students a preview of what to expect when they transition into Year 7 at Dartmouth Academy, offering them the opportunity to explore the school’s vibrant learning environment and its range of exciting academic and physical activities.

Throughout the day, the pupils took part in a series of engaging activities, including mind bending maths challenges, amazing art exploration, super science experiments, and fun physical challenges. These interactive sessions gave pupils a taste of the diverse learning experiences Dartmouth Academy has to offer while encouraging teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity.

Paul Girardot, Principal at Dartmouth Academy, said:

“We were thrilled to welcome local Year 5 students to Dartmouth Academy for an exciting and enriching day. This event is a wonderful opportunity for pupils to explore the subjects and activities that await them in Year 7, and we hope it sparks their enthusiasm for learning and joining our school community. We look forward to showing them all that Dartmouth Academy has to offer and how we can support their growth and development as they transition into secondary education.”

Matthew Shanks, CEO at Education South West, said:

“The Year 5 Activity Day is a fantastic initiative that allows children to experience a taste of the hands-on, engaging learning environment at Dartmouth Academy. It’s a great opportunity to prepare young people for success in Year 7 and beyond, ensuring they feel supported and excited as they take the next step in their educational journey.”

More information:

• Education South West is a trust of eight primary schools, four secondary schools, one all through school and a University Technical College all based in Devon.
• Education South West is focused on creating a culture which supports and challenges all whilst also working with those in and outside their community of schools to improve all. 
• All Education South West schools have UNICEF Rights Respecting accreditation, which recognises their commitment to creating safe and inspiring places to learn, where children are respected, their talents are nurtured and they are able to thrive.
• Dartmouth Academy is rated Good by Ofsted for Quality of education, Behaviour and attitudes, Personal development, Leadership and management and Early years provision.