Congratulations Torpoint Community College!

It is fitting to begin the academic year with formal announcement of ‘reaccredited’ Quality Mark Beacon School, Torpoint Community College (TCC): a third school to successfully achieve ‘Quality Mark’ status since 2016. This summer, they secured ‘redesignation’ of their status – and we are delighted to reaffirm TCC’s continued commitment to quality, highly specialised provision for, and experience of, Holocaust teaching and learning.

Full details of TCC’s established curriculum and enrichment offer regards Holocaust education and active global citizenship, can be found here.

In summary, the report identifies and speak to key strengths, including:

• Strong, deep roots embedded within the school curriculum. The centrepiece of TCC’s excellence in Holocaust education is built upon the foundation of its constant pursuit for quality teaching and learning. The quality of teaching and learning about the Holocaust and range of provision and opportunity to engage with this complex past is excellent. The Holocaust is a central and distinctive feature of History and College’s wider curriculum offer.
• Considerable thought, planning and innovation. The ambition of the scheme of work and wider provision plan for Holocaust education at TCC is outstanding, particularly in History, but also across the curriculum.
• Quality Holocaust teaching and learning. The innovative inclusion of strategies, materials and Poland study visit experiences is exceptional, as are the artistic and creative responses opportunities that the scheme of work/scheme of learning provides; all this whilst retaining historical disciplinary integrity, rigour and skills. The College ensure access for all, a learning space that is respectful and inclusive – to students, of subject matter, victims and survivors, an environment where both empathy and critical thinking reside and as a result powerful learning conversations and educational ‘journey’s’ take place.
• Innovation and engagement. The College continues to use its Quality Mark Beacon School status to share best practice with others. It is outward facing and keen to engage with creative projects like #Leon111, support and enrich regional initiatives like ‘Cornish Stories of Survival’, or take up national invitations to participate, such as #HtFMeUs. Despite challenges, these are seen as opportunities to embrace and the outcomes for all reveal their value.
• A truly whole-school, community approach and culture. Beacon School status plays a crucial part in securing excellent SMSC provision and this should be widely celebrated. The initiative has proven important in and of itself, but also for its contribution to whole college priorities like Global Learning, FBV, citizenship, healthy schools and Prevent. It has also successfully linked with the College’s UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools work. Beacon School work at TCC contributes to personal development and supports safeguarding and civics in a powerful and meaningful way, drawing on cognitive and affective approaches. Collectively, the holistic impact is significant and transformative.
• The students. Torpoint students are magnificent ambassadors for the College and are articulate and insightful advocates of quality Holocaust education provision and its impact. They are genuinely interested in and enthused by teaching and learning about the Holocaust. They enjoy studying it and want to know more.
• An inspirational Lead Teacher, supportive colleagues, CLT engagement and leadership. The regard with which UCL Beacon School status is held is testament to the inspired leadership of a hard-working Lead Teacher and CLT who understand the significance of Holocaust education – these components, working and communicating effectively, have been fundamental to the College’s Beacon School success.
• Responding to the 2016 EBIs. Despite its successes in Holocaust education, TCC is not complacent. Senior and middle leaders are proud of successes and strengths to date, whilst able to identify potential weaknesses or areas for innovation and development and are increasingly outward looking, open to opportunity and innovation.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and engaging in research informed practice. Pedagogical practice in Holocaust and genocide education at the Torpoint Community College is underpinned by research-informed practice and access to quality CPD via UCL

We are thrilled to recognise Lead Teacher, Mrs Charlotte Lane, her SLT Link, Mr Golding, colleagues across the college and Head Teacher, Dr Plumb, for their dedication, innovation, professionalism, and leadership – their values are lived and not simply laminated.

The full report identifies a range of outstanding practice embodied within the TCC ethos, culture, formal and hidden curriculum, that is research-informed and secured in UCL pedagogical principles.

Reviewer, Nic Wetherall MBE remarked:

‘Across the college there is a deep commitment to empowering ALL learners and a respect and regard for the learner. Relationships and principles of respect, empathy and inclusion underpin belief that teaching and learning about the Holocaust is a right, and that it is about safeguarding for the future. There is ample evidence to suggest that because of the work that is taking place at TCC, its learners have important opportunities to become the informed, empathetic, actively engaged, enriched and empowered local, national and global citizens we need. And for that, I wholeheartedly commend and congratulate all who are involved in the college’s Beacon School activities.’

Despite a global pandemic, TCC have retained their status as a true ‘Beacon’. They continue to work on innovative Holocaust related projects, regional initiatives, and special events, alongside securing a creative and challenging curriculum that draws on student curiosity and is responsive to need. They are a reflective and forward-looking college community who are open to share best practice, partner and connect. The respect afforded testimony and the relationships built, recently with Bernie Graham and family, is profound and speaks to the colleges’ values, educational vision, and Lead Teachers’ passion, integrity and skills. The review found TCC’s regard for research-informed practice, application of Centre pedagogic principles enriches the provision, opportunities and experiences of learners – both in terms of Holocaust teaching and learning and generically.

Achieving Quality Mark status at any time is a significant achievement, to do so during a pandemic, is more impressive and commendable.  Successful accreditation is testimony to sustained hard work and innovation. It remains our pleasure and privilege to partner with the school, Charlotte, and colleagues, and to support TCC’s work. We offer our congratulations to TCC staff, students, families’, and community. At a time of political, social, economic and global uncertainty; rising hate, division, denial and distortion, conflict and migration, TCC’s work offers a timely antidote: a reminder of what a school, a teacher, and community can do.

The Quality Mark scheme is a great way to celebrate and share best practice and is both developmental and forward looking. Beacon School alumni considering undertaking the Quality mark process should contact Head of External Relations and School Partnerships Nicola Wetherall  or read more here.

Learn more about Torpoint Community College: https://www.torpoint.cornwall.sch.uk/