South Dartmoor Community College - Newton Abbot

Will

Prison in school uniform. When I was there if it wasn't the students making your life hell it was the teachers. Biggest lie to come out from that place is "We don't tolerate bullying" when half the teachers were freely doing it. Plus the PE teachers were evil psychos. If you're reading this then please don't send your kids there. They'll only end up suffering with mental trauma in the future. Close that damn place down!.

rosa R.

I’m really sad to hear all these bad reviews - I really thought this was a great school and actually considered moving to the area at one point so my son could go there. Sadly the story of its demise sounds very similar to what has happened at my son’s current secondary - new head, behaviour policy and reward system made overly punitive, all stick and no carrot, lots of creative options removed. He lost the faith and good will of the kids & the teachers, so terrible atmosphere there, bullying, staff leaving in droves, the school failed st ofsted, went into special measures and has therefore been force-academised. It is actually looking up a bit now, but I’m not alone amongst parents in wondering if the whole thing was a stitch up. Be warned!

Martin P.

I personally found it was a very good school, but that was only personal. I had very few problems and feel I got on well here because I was well liked, I cannot speak for the rest of the pupils as some were disliked. Rugby was great, had Chealsea football foundation there. A pretty good place. Yet had problems with the Science department. Even messed up my sets at the start of year 11, putting me in a lower set, due to changes as we had the year 10 science exams. Never sorted, but may had to be changed. Left to go to Wales, never got to see where I could’ve gone from there. Year 10 was good though. It was a fluff up that could’ve been dealt with.

yamuna E.

As a student at SDCC I feel that the number one priority should always be the students education, however it seems this school views their reputation above the quality of education these students receive. As this is supposed to be one of the best schools in this area I would expect them to notice the negative impact these policies are having on their students. Taking girls out of lessons for skirt length and material, thus missing significant learning time, on the first day alone there was around 10-15 students having to wait in student reception and missing their learning, a few were also sent home. This is only one of the newly inforced rules that are damaging the actual community of the school. These issues where not always here, the system was always the same but when the leadership changed to mr collins new rules were set in place and students became distressed and angry, again taking the energy and attention away from the actual learning or proccess of learning.

In my opinion schools are here to teach students how to be inquisitive and how to put ourselves forward in the world, rather than blind obedience. Citizens that sit quiet and keep your head down, serve neither their community nor themselves. Feelings of being repressed and ignored can only add to the stresses of school life, especially for the year 11s this year who are already under enough pressure about their GCSEs and it will not be aiding the year 7s as they will be coming straight from primary schools where the rules are much much more relaxed. This is not the way a school should be, especially in an 'outstanding community college'.

Ant ?. B. J.

I studied here for secondary education. and At first it was great, but as the years went on the schools only praise system has been abolished, the uniform which used to be rather lenient has gotten out of hand. The environment has been flooded in eyesores and unnecessary fencing, increasing the feeling of being helpless as a student especially with the lack of help they give you with exams. My advice is just to not go here for your education if you want to actually succeed.

Fakecheeseandpineapple B.

I went here for secondary and sixth form, and at first it was a wonderful school. But after a new person of staff appeared, things began to change. The praise system that was in order before got abolished, whilst the consequence system became more severe, leaving many students to feel as if they were only getting punished, and they would not get recognised for their hard work. I also find that due to budget cuts, certain departments which are absolutely wonderful are being undermined in order to make the school seem more 'academic'(such as the Drama, music and art departments). This is completely the wrong approach. It dismisses entirely the needs of the student and what they aim to achieve after education, since those subjects which may be helpful in their career choice(such as drama) is now only available to them in after school in 'Twilight' sessions which is not only demoralising to the student, but also to the entire department. On top of that, if any student dare speak up about how they feel about the school and its changes, they are made to feel as if they were a troublemaker.
On top of that the uniform rules have gotten out of hand. I realise, as many do, that a uniform could be useful, and since the school has one it should be worn properly. However, it has gotten to the point where whether a student hasn't their pen, or hasn't their tie perfect is more important than a students education. If a student is caught with an untucked shirt twice a week they get a detention; three or more isolation.
On top that the headteacher does not seem to understand the weather conditions. Everyone is aware of the hot humid weather we have had recently. But there is a silly rule that at break and lunch times students must wear their blazer, and in class are not allowed to remove it without permission from the teacher. This is all very good and well until you get the weather we have had recently, and the students are not allowed to remove their blazers. Those blazers are black, hot and heavy. To force any student to wear this item under these conditions is not only cruel but a breach of human rights. I for one am appalled at how downhill this school has gotten.
The school itself has many fine qualities, but it has unfortunately been overshadowed by the idiocy of those in charge.

Hayden H.

Don't put your children here the school is a prison reflection room is the cell and the teacher are the guards they will crush them and make them lose interest and don't even get me started on how they handle kids with extra needs

Scott S.

Best school for SEN, my son Jack did brilliantly at this school compared to other secondaries in the area.