Staff and students at The Somerset Performing Arts Centre for Education (SPACE) based at Heathfield Community School, are celebrating excellence today after receivinh their results for the Level 3 University Arts London Extended Diploma in Performing and Production Arts and the Extended Project Qualification.
In the UAL component (worth 3 A-levels) a staggering 71% achieved a distinction (the same number of UCAS points at 3 A*s at A-level) and 25% achieved a merit. All 100% passed.
In the Extended Project Qualification, 100% achieved a C or higher, 52% achieved a B and 35% scored an A grade.
This has opened many doors for the graduates to embark upon rich and varied progression routes including musical theatre at Chichester University, LMA and Emil Dale Academy, game animation at Falmouth University, production arts at Bristol Old Vic, music at Royal Holloway, a degree in education at Bristol University and performing arts and commercial dance courses at the prestigious Stella Mann.
Course Director David Duthie said: “We are once again thrilled that the hard work of these talented students has paid off and we wish them every success for their bright careers. We are also looking to the future, gearing up to welcome a new cohort in September and we are almost full to the brim!”
Today marks SPACE’s first set of results since Heathfield Community School confirmed it will join the Cabot Learning Federation in the autumn.
Hannah Jones, Principal said: “We are delighted that our SPACE company members have achieved fantastic results once again. It is testimony to their dedication and hard work, as well as the quality of teaching and technical support they have received in their two years with us at Heathfield. We wish them all the very best as they move on to their next steps, in education and the performing arts industry.”
Cabot Learning Federation Chief Executive Steve Taylor said: “We are immensely proud of these post-16 students. Against the backdrop of the uncertainties and difficulties of recent years, they have shown great resilience and richly deserve the excellent set of results they have achieved today.
“Whether they now plan to move into higher education or the world of work, we wish them every success in their next step – and hope they will continue to show the talent and dedication they have displayed throughout their years of education. Thanks to the team of colleagues who have supported these students over the course of their school careers, and in particularly over the past two years.”
We have not long returned from a brilliant trip to Paris with 40 students from Year 8 + Year 9.
During the trip we visited a French market town and undertook a town trail to get our bearings and we visited a snail farm and learnt all about the tradition of eating snails in France! We also spent the day at Parc Asterix and got to see the famous characters.
Our final day was spent in Paris where we climbed 300+ steps up the Eiffel Tower (some brave students went even higher!) and then we had a river boat tour of some of the famous Parisian monuments. We finished our day with a daredevil trip about the Arc de Triomphe roundabout.
It was a brilliant trip and the students were exemplary!
‘Heathfield Writers’ Club celebrates a year of writing with a selection of their work. We’ve spent this academic year being inspired by art, news events and fantastic photography. From poetry to fan fiction, haikus to short stories, we hope you enjoy reading this anthology. Perhaps you’ll be inspired to write yourself!
Heathfield Writers’ Club takes place once a week at lunchtimes, for all year groups – everyone is welcome.’
Copies of the anthology are available in Reception, or please contact Mrs Martin at the school for a PDF version.
PIC: Emily, Ebony-Rayne and Rachel (L to R) from Writers’ Club
The smash hit musical Grease has been staged by an extremely talented cast of students from The SPACE in Taunton.
The cast of 35 students from Heathfield Community School’s post 16 centre successfully sold out six shows, including a matinee attended by students from five local secondary schools.
Their version of the much-loved tale of American high schoolers in the rock ‘n’ roll 1950s featured a set and production created by The SPACE staff and was supported by a live professional six-piece band.
Following a whirlwind summer romance, leather-clad greaser Danny, played by Fin Gudge, and girl-next-door Sandy, played by Bella Roberts, are unexpectedly reunited when she transfers to Rydell High for senior year. But can their fledgling relationship survive the trials and tribulations of teenage life, as the couple try to be true to themselves and rekindle that summer love once more?
Grease is the celebration of a shifting decade, where America threw over tradition for freedom and adventure. The SPACE production celebrates being true to yourself, the one that you want!
Jenny Bowley, Assistant Course Director and choreographer, and Emily Moll-Colman, Acting Teacher and show director, said: “We are thrilled with the show, a production that was made possible by the incredible team effort of everyone involved.
“Every person played an important role in making this production a success, and we are immensely proud our company members’ hard work and dedication. We look forward to seeing what our talented company members can bring forth in the future.”
Heathfield Community School students have recently been celebrating their achievements in local and national writing and debating competitions.
The debating talents of Heathfield students Cerys Turner and Erika Vaidotaite took them all the way to Oxford University. In a first for Heathfield, Erika and Cerys qualified for the finals of the prestigious Oxford Schools’ Debating Competition. The girls made it through to the finals after qualifying from the South of England round in which they competed against 50 other schools and colleges.
Cerys and Erika performed with great credit throughout the day. The competition followed the Parliamentary debating format and the two girls argued for or against four different motions against a host of national and international schools and colleges. With motions such as ‘In areas of socioeconomic deprivation, this house would prioritise training students in vocational skills as opposed to traditional academic subjects’ the girls approached the finals day with consideration and courage.
Founded in 2020, the Heathfield School Debating Society consists of students from Years 9, 10 and 11 and meets weekly to debate topical issues.
Simon Bament and Anna Chamberlain, Heathfield Debating Society coordinators, said: “We are so proud of Cerys and Erika. They were brilliant ambassadors for their families, the Debating Society and Heathfield Community School.
“Every student in the Heathfield Debating Society should also feel a sense of pride; they constantly challenge, support and encourage each other and Cerys and Erika represented their peers at Oxford with dignity and determination.”
Meanwhile, Heathfield’s Writers’ Club has also been celebrating the achievements of two of its members.
Joshua Dow and Elsie Ryder were announced as winners of the under-18s category in the Tacchi-Morris Page is Printed competition. Joshua and Elsie both wrote beautiful poems, which earned them first prize.
Claire Martin organiser of the writer’s club said: “The members of Writers’ Club meet every week to share their love of writing and develop their own responses to various prompts. It’s fantastic that Elsie and Joshua’s hard work has been recognised with these awards. Well done to both of them.”
Two students have been praised for their heroic effort in saving a lost dog that they rescued a dog from a busy main road.
Eliza Collins and Breanna Chibueke, both in Year 9 at Heathfield Community School, spotted Elsa the labradoodle on the loose on a busy major road. The girls didn’t hesitate and managed to catch the dog and hold on to it until Eliza’s mum Jodie Cornwall arrived to collect them and return the dog safely to its owner Sally Talbot.
Elsa has gone missing twice before through a hole in the garden fence and both times she has been taken a pet superstore where Sally collected her. Sally has now found the hole in the garden and blocked it up.
Sally said: “Huge thanks to Eliza and Breanna for rescuing my little dog Elsa from the busy road on their way to school and waiting with her until Eliza’s mother arrived to return her to me.
“I was really worried about her. The girls probably saved her life, and I can’t say how grateful I am, they are a credit to their parents and Heathfield school. Thank you, Eliza and Breanna.”
Eliza & Breanna said: “We were walking to school near the Beefeater at around 8.15am when we saw a dog in the middle of the road. At first the dog ran to us, but quickly ran off again. We followed the dog into a hedge where we picked her up. We stayed with the dog until Eliza’s mum came then we took her back to her owner.”
Hannah Jones, Principal of Heathfield Community School, said: “We couldn’t be prouder of these girls and their actions. They recognised that Elsa was in danger and acted quickly and responsibly to potentially save the dog’s life and get her safely home. Well done to them both!”
