Witheridge CofE Academy

04/09/2026

01/09/2026

📚 Secondary School Admissions for September 2027 Are Now Open!

Devon residents only (excluding Plymouth and Torbay): If your child is starting Year 6 this term, you can now apply for their secondary school place through Devon County Council.

✅ You can express a preference for up to 3 schools.

Apply online via our Citizens Portal:
🔗 https://oneonline.devon.gov.uk/CCSCitizenPortal_LIVE/en

⏰ Deadline: Midnight on 31 October 2026

Late applications will be considered after all on-time submissions. If your preferred school is full, you may be offered a place at a school further from home, and any transport arrangements would be your responsibility. To give your child the best chance of securing a preferred school, please apply on time.

Need help?

Our step-by-step booklet and full admissions guidance can be found here:
🔗 https://www.devon.gov.uk/children-families-education/education/school-admissions/apply-for-a-secondary-school-place/

🎓 Let's make sure your child gets the best possible start to their secondary school journey!

30/08/2026

Don't miss out on Free School Meals.

Check your eligibility today: https://orlo.uk/free-school-meals_xymob

✅ Do you receive Universal Credit?

From September, more families will be able to access free school meals for their children. Even if you haven't been eligible before, it's worth checking and applying.

Both families eligible under the targeted scheme and those eligible under the expanded scheme will receive free school meals.

Don't miss out. Check your eligibility today: https://orlo.uk/free-school-meals_xymob

20/08/2026

We currently have four exciting opportunities across TEAM Multi-Academy Trust and the application deadlines are fast approaching ready for the new school term.

If you’re looking for your next role and would love to make a real difference for children and their communities, take a look at our current vacancies at the following primary schools - Witheridge CofE Academy, Pilton Bluecoat Academy and Umberleigh Academy.

📢 Applications are closing soon, so now’s the time to apply!

👉 View our current vacancies and find out more:
https://www.teamacademytrust.com/vacancies

14/08/2026

It is with great sadness that we share the heartbreaking news of the loss of former Witheridge pupil, Sky Chapman on Tuesday 28th July.

Sky, along with her brothers and sisters, was part of our school family from Preschool right through to Year 6, and many of our staff and families will remember her with great affection. Sky’s family have also been a much-valued part of our school community for many years. Dave was our school caretaker, and Mandy worked in our Preschool for many years, caring for and supporting so many children and families over that time.

Our thoughts, love and deepest condolences are with Dave, Mandy, Oakley and all of Sky’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.

A Sky’s Memorial Fun Day will be taking place this Saturday 15th August at Witheridge Sports Club from 12 noon onwards to raise funds to help support the family with funeral arrangements.

We would like to help advertise this event to all of our current parents and encourage our community to come together in support, remembrance and celebration of Sky’s life. Please see the advert below for full details.

Thank you for showing kindness, love and support to the Chapman family during this very difficult time. 🩷 🕊️🙏

11/08/2026

Partial solar eclipse tomorrow on Tuesday 12th August.

Many of the children may remember the collective worship led by local astronomy enthusiast Steven Smith at the beginning of July, when he shared his passion for astronomy and introduced the children to the upcoming eclipse. His visit sparked great curiosity and excitement across the school community.

Tomorrow evening, we look forward to the partial solar eclipse and Steven and other astronomy enthusiasts would like to warmly welcome everyone to join them outside the Witheridge Parish Hall from 6.00pm on Tuesday 12th August to enjoy this exciting event together

The eclipse is expected to reach its maximum coverage at approximately 7.15pm, so fingers crossed for clear skies! 🌤️ Families, friends and members of the wider community are all very welcome to come along and experience this remarkable celestial event together.

A huge thank you once again to Steven for inspiring our children and for helping bring our community together for what promises to be a memorable evening.

Please see how to make a pin hole projector:

22/07/2026

🌞 And that's a wrap for another fantastic school year! 🌞

From all of us here at Witheridge CofE Academy, we'd like to wish everyone a wonderful summer break! ☀️

A huge thank you to all our parents, carers, guardians, Witheridge C of E Primary Academy PTFA, Team Premises and Team Multi-Academy Trust for your continued support throughout the year. We truly appreciate everything you do to help make our school community so special.

To our amazing children – thank you for embracing our school values every day, encouraging one another, building each other up, and making us incredibly proud. You have all achieved so much this year!

A special good luck goes to our wonderful Year 6 children as they begin their exciting secondary school journey. We know you'll continue to shine and we wish you every success in this next chapter. 🍀✨

Enjoy a safe, happy and restful summer, and we'll look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday 7th September.

From all the staffing Team at Witheridge CofE Academy 💙📚🌻

21/07/2026

📣 Parents and Carers of children in Year 5 - make a note in the calendar of this important date! 📣 You can sign up for an email or text reminder too! 👍

21/07/2026

A huge thank you to our fantastic House Captains this year – Mason ❤️, Josh 💙, Lily-Sue 💛 and Bella 💚. 🌟

You have represented our school brilliantly, leading by example, encouraging your teams, supporting school events and being wonderful role models for our younger pupils. We are so grateful for all of your hard work, enthusiasm and commitment throughout the year. Thank you for everything you have done – we are incredibly proud of you all! 💙💚❤️💛

As we say goodbye to one team of House Captains, we are delighted to introduce our new House Captains for the coming academic year:

⭐ Jessica 💙
⭐ Milo 💛
⭐ Freddie 💚
⭐ Olly ❤️

Congratulations! We know you will embrace this important responsibility with enthusiasm, kindness and courage as you help to lead your houses and continue to live out our school vision of "Encourage One Another and Build Each Other Up."
We can't wait to see all that you achieve in your new roles.

Well done everyone! 🎉

Many thanks,

Miss Ratcliffe
Head of School

21/07/2026

Today we celebrated a very special handover as we thanked our outgoing Head Girl, Betsy, and Head Boy, Alfie, for their outstanding leadership this year. 🌟

Betsy and Alfie have been exceptional ambassadors for Witheridge C of E Academy, leading with kindness, confidence and integrity. They have represented our school with pride, supported school events, welcomed visitors and younger pupils, and truly lived out our vision to "Encourage One Another and Build Each Other Up." We are incredibly grateful for all they have contributed and know they will continue to achieve great things as they move on to the next stage of their education.

We are also delighted to announce our new Head Girl and Head Boy for the coming academic year.

Congratulations to Taya, our new Head Girl, and Khalid, our new Head Boy! 🎉

We know you will be fantastic role models for our school community and will embrace your new responsibilities with enthusiasm, compassion and courage. We are excited to see you grow into these important leadership roles and wish you every success for the year ahead.

Congratulations to all four pupils on this wonderful achievement! 💙