School Strike for Climate Action UK > Friday 15th March > reports from Devon and Sidmouth

Exactly a month ago, students around Devon went on strike:
Futures Forum: School Strike for Climate Action UK > Friday 15th February > reports from Devon

They also took action in Sidmouth:
Futures Forum: School Strike for Climate Action UK > Friday 15th February > reports from Sidmouth

They have been out again today across the county: 



Students throughout Devon take to the streets again for climate change protest - live updates - Devon Live
Students are gearing up for another climate strike this Friday | News | Dartmouth Chronicle
George Monbiot and youth climate activist webchat – as it happened | Opinion | The Guardian
British Teenagers Want Radical Action On Climate Change And Say They're Not Taking No For An Answer

And again in Sidmouth, as covered by the Herald: 

‘Planet is dying around us’ - Sidmouth youngsters protest on climate change

PUBLISHED: 15:22 15 March 2019 | UPDATED: 15:35 15 March 2019

Clarissa Place

Students of Sidmouth College took to the streets to protest about climate change. Picture: Sam Cooper

Chants of ‘go green’ echoed through the streets of Sidmouth as students decided to walk out as part of a nationwide strike to protest climate change.

More than 80 Sidmouth College students, armed with placards, walked down into the town centre, joining thousands of other youngsters calling for governments to take action.

A nationwide strike occurred in the town last month, which more than 30 people attended.

Siblings Alfie and Will Crick said they walked out after reading about the work of 16-year-old Swedish student Greta Thunberg, who founded the youth strike for climate movement.

Nobel Peace Prize nominee Greta called on students strike across the country on Friday (March 15).

The brothers said: “We feel that governments need to listen to young people. They need to make companies replace plastic packaging and to work seriously on reducing greenhouse gases. This is why we are skipping school today.”

Among the young environmentalists’ concerns was engaging more young people to learn about the issue.

A 16-year-old pupil said: “We want the government to commit to a climate emergency and she [the Prime Minister] sits down and talks to young and old and we get to have a say on what we can do. Young people need to know more, we put posters up and a lot of people didn’t know about it. Kids need to know what climate change is.

“It’s our future and we do not get a say, the planet is dying around us and there has to be something we can do to change that. We’re trying to make the world better, it’s a peaceful protest.”

Sidmouth College said it was aware of any students who had left the site.

Martyn Dudley, vice-principal said: “It is a national campaign, there are larger protests going on in Exeter and other cities today. We knew the national campaign was happening today and we had sent out information to parents. We support climate change and the children are really passionate about making a change. We continue to look at ways we can support this in school, and the college and student body have already made many changes to reduce our impact on climate change.

“We did inform parents that the college would not be able to authorise students going on these marches and that it was a choice parents and children needed to make. At break time there was a number of students campaigning, when the bell went the majority of students went back into lessons. Around 80 students left the school site to continue to support the campaign with 55 students returning at lunchtime for their afternoon lessons.”

Sidmouth College students stage walk-out as part of climate change strikes | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
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Fairtrade Fortnight in Sidmouth > starts Mon 25th Feb

It all starts tomorrow:
Futures Forum: Fairtrade Fortnight in Sidmouth > Monday 25th February - Sunday 10th March

With a more detailed programme from the Fairtrade newsletter: 

Exciting news - Fairtrade Fortnight begins on Monday!

We have our new Sidmouth Fair Trade Group banner at the Library.

A quick reminder of what is happening locally.

Monday 25th FEBRUARY - Sunday 10th March 

Displays during all of Fairtrade Fortnight in SIDMOUTH LIBRARY - also raffle with Fairtrade gifts from local businesses.

FRIDAY  1st March 2:30 presentation and a chance to meet  Veronica Browne a Fairtrade Banana Grower from St Vincent in the Windward Islands.

Fairtrade Refreshments, Stalls, (including craft, food, and Waitrose Foundation) information and Fairtrade tombola.

In the morning Veronica  will visit Sidmouth College and be part of a workshop on Fairtrade and Bananas.

SATURDAY 2nd March 10:30 am   Coffee Morning and storyteller Tony Sparkes at Sidmouth Library samples and information about Fairtrade and the raffle continues.

SUNDAY 3rd March 9:30 - 12 pm  FAIRTRADE  & LOCAL BREAKFAST and coffee  at the Methodist Hall with Fairtrade craft and food stalls 

There is a service in the church at 10:30 am - come  if you wish - people will remain in the   Hall for conversations , selling from the  stalls and serving coffee.

SUNDAY 3rd March  Fairtrade Refreshments cake & coffee at the parish church of St Giles & St Nicholas after 10am Eucharist..

SUNDAY 3rd March 3pm - 4:30 pm Community FAIR & LOCAL Cream tea at St Francis Church Hall Woolbrook with stalls,  raffle  and  cake  followed by Evening service at 5pm if you wish. There is a large free car park and it is near bus stops.

Fairtrade stalls and information available at all of the above events and at the Tourist  information office and Sidmouth Herald and on our Facebook page via Sidmouth Council.

We do hope you  will be able to come to at least one of these events.

Supporting Sidmouth - Proud to be a FAIRTRADE TOWN

There will be other activities throughout Devon and across the country - especially in Fairtrade Towns.

The message is ‘SHE DESERVES A LIVING INCOME’

Chocolate is a treat for us. A living income is a human right for farmers.

So choose to buy Fairtrade and Local.

Find out more at Fairtrade Fortnight 2019

Wendy Spratling

Co-ordinator of Sidmouth Fair Trade Group

Supporting Sidmouth Proud to be a Fairtrade Town

Sidmouth Fair Trade Group - Home | Facebook

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Fairtrade Fortnight in Sidmouth > Monday 25th February - Sunday 10th March

The Sidmouth Fairtrade Fortnight is a great showcase for what's going in in farming in the so-called 'developing world' - and a great way to get to know the foods and products on offer under the 'fairtrade' logo - as shown during last year's event:
Futures Forum: Fairtrade Fortnight in Sidmouth > 26th Feb - 11th March
Futures Forum: Fairtrade Fortnight in Sidmouth > 'Meet the producer' talk > Wednesday 7th March

This year's fortnight looks just as inviting - as the Fairtrade newsletter shows:

FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT 2019 

is Monday February 25th – Sunday March 10th 

We are excited that Veronica Browne and Simeon Greene, Fairtrade banana growers from St Vincent, Windward Islands, in the Caribbean are visiting Devon for Fairtrade Fortnight. This is a wonderful opportunity to find out first hand, how much difference just choosing Fairtrade products makes to people’s lives.  The Banana Growers will be in Devon from St. Vincent for all of Fairtrade Fortnight.

Sidmouth Library will have a display for the whole of Fairtrade fortnight.

Friday March 1st Banana Grower visits Sidmouth

The morning will be spent at at Sidmouth College with Year 7 pupils.

Afternoon: there will be an Open meeting at St Teresa’s Hall - with a presentation about Fairtrade and Bananas with Fairtrade Refreshments and Sale of Traidcraft Crafts, food, as well as a display by Waitrose of their range of Fairtrade goods.

Fairtrade Assemblies at Sidmouth College and Sidmouth Primary School

Saturday March 2nd 10:30 The Library: storytelling and activities in children’s library

Coffee morning 10:30-12 noon

Sunday March 3rd

Everyone is welcome to the Community Fairtrade and Local Breakfast at the Methodist Hall from 9:30 – 12: 15 with Traidcraft craft and food stalls

Fairtrade Refreshments after 10am Service at the Parish church – and March 10th

Fairtrade Refreshments at St Teresa’s Hall after morning mass

Everyone is welcome to the Community Fairtrade and Local Afternoon Teas with Fairtrade stalls at St Francis 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Other Community Groups , churches and shops or workplaces may have Fairtrade displays, refreshments, Fairtrade tea parties etc – watch out for their publicity. 

Sidmouth Fair Trade Group - Home | Facebook

See also:
Fairtrade Fortnight | Fairtrade Foundation
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School Strike for Climate Action UK > Friday 15th February > reports from Sidmouth

It's happening across the country:
Futures Forum: School Strike for Climate Action UK > Friday 15th February > reports from Parliament Square and beyond

And across the county:
Futures Forum: School Strike for Climate Action UK > Friday 15th February > reports from Devon

It's also been happening in Sidmouth, as covered by the Herald:

Protesters call for climate change action in Sidmouth

PUBLISHED: 12:52 15 February 2019

Beth Sharp

Students standing up and calling for change with a climate change protest in Sidmouth. Picture: Sarah Hall

The young and old gathered together to take a stand, protesting over climate change in Sidmouth.

Students standing up and calling for change with a climate change protest in Sidmouth. Picture: Sarah Hall

More than 30 people met in Market Place on Friday (February 15) as part of a nation-wide movement.

Thousands of youngsters were expected to take part in the mass walk out across the UK as part of an international youth campaign which demands action reaches this country.

Students are urging the government declare a climate emergency and take active steps to tackle the problem, communicate the severity of the ecological crisis to the public and reform the curriculum to make it an educational priority.

Sidmouth residents Richard Fuell and Julie Stoyel, who organised the Sidmouth protest, said: “Lots of people were very supportive of what we were doing, although we did have one man challenge us - his attitude was that he will be dead before any changes take place. It was disappointing that there weren’t more people but it was well received.

Students standing up and calling for change with a climate change protest in Sidmouth. Picture: Sarah Hall

“The signs are there and we need to do something - the children are the ones that are going to be affected. The protest helped the public realise there is a problem and raised awareness. We need to do something or nothing is going to change on our planet.

“It needs to come from a high power - when David Attenborough did a programme about plastic everyone started talking about it. Renewable energy is there but people don’t know about it and they don’t want to change because there is nothing in it for them. In 50 years time we will be dead but our kids will be suffering.”

Devon County Council says the aims and objectives of the movement ‘are consistent with those of the council whose cabinet has recommended that the authority declare a ‘climate emergency’ at a full council meeting next week.

Councillor Roger Croad, Devon County Council’s cabinet member for the environment said: “There is no doubt there is a climate emergency and unless something is done, climate change will affect people, the environment, business and our prosperity.

“We fully support the objectives of young people to reduce carbon emissions and DCC has been working hard for many years to ensure that we are on course to meet the IPCC’s carbon reduction recommendations. We are working with strategic partners to develop a plan to ensure that Devon meets the internationally recognised target of carbon neutrality by 2050. If we are to stem the increase in global temperatures everyone of all ages and all walks of life has to work together.”

Anna Taylor, of UK Student Climate Network, said: “We’ve had enough and we’re making sure our voice is heard. We’re ready to let politicians know we won’t accept anything less than a commitment to protect the planet for the good of everyone.”

The National Association of Head Teachers said it did not condone students being out of the classroom to take action.

Protesters call for climate change action in Sidmouth | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
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Sidmouth Science Festival >>> Unkindest Cut: an exploration of the mind's inner workings >>> Saturday 6th October

The Science Festival starts in earnest next weekend:
Futures Forum: Sidmouth Science Festival >>> "science in our lives" >>> Friday 5th to Sunday 14th October

It is very much about 'science in our lives' - the theme of this year's event:
Sidmouth Science Festival - Home | Facebook
Sidmouth Science Festival: Thursday 27 September to Sunday 14 October 2018 inclusive | Sidmouth Science Festival

This includes our inner lives - and one event will address the issue of young people and mental health - which is very much a current issue:
Futures Forum: Urgent calls for a long-term mental health programme to provide preventative action and ongoing support for young people in the Sid Valley

With details of a very different kind of event on the Festival's website: 

Unkindest Cut: an exploration of the mind's inner workings - at 11am, 1pm and 3pm

Saturday 6th October 2018 11:00 AM

Location/Venue: The Ham Sidmouth EX10 8XR

Outside it seems to be a shipping container much like any other. Inside though, it’s a fortress of ideas – intimate and intense, alluring but alarming, contained yet spilling over.

Unkindest Cut confines and entwines dance, performance, text, film and an intricate light installation to explore how our own minds cope – and sometimes don’t – with modern life, confronting audiences at close quarters with complex issues around young people and mental health.

The shows take place at the following times:

• show 1:  11.00-11.30am
• show 2:  13.00-13.30pm
• show 3:  15.00-15.30pm

Unkindest Cut: an exploration of the mind's inner workings - at 11am, 1pm and 3pm | Sidmouth Science Festival

And an excellent piece in the Herald on-line today: 

Unkindest Cut dance show staged at Sidmouth Science Festival

PUBLISHED: 08:30 30 September 2018

Philippa Davies

Unkindest Cut explores the mind's workings, through expressive dance. Picture: Kathy Hinde

Students take part in creative workshops before the show, to explore emotions and record words and phrases for the soundtrack

Experiences and emotions of local young people will be woven into the soundtrack of an expressive dance performance, to be staged during the Sidmouth Science Festival.

While much of the festival is all about the outside world, the show Unkindest Cut focuses on the human mind and explores how it copes, or sometimes fails to cope, with modern life.

The show is touring science festivals around the UK, starting with Sidmouth. Before each festival, its producers invite young people from the area to take part in creative workshops, exploring how to express emotions through movement, using a traditional Indian dance technique called Bharata Natyam.

Artistic director and choreographer Subathra Subramaniam said:

“I teach some Bharata Natyam gestures and basic movements. We then have a discussion about what it is like to be a young person in the world today. We pick out words and phrases, and think about how we could express them through creative movement, also using music, rhythm and words if they would like to.”

Recordings of some of those words and phrases are then digitally altered and used as part of the soundtrack of the dance performance, played through special speakers giving the effect of words whispered in the ear.

As well as providing dramatic sound effects for the dance performances, different for each festival, the workshops aim to give young people the freedom to explore their feelings, including negative or frightening ones, in a creative and safe environment. Students from Sidmouth College were among those invited to take part in the sessions leading up to the science festival performances, which take place on Thursday, October 4 until Sunday 7th.

Unkindest Cut aims to raise awareness of some of the issues troubling young people. But fittingly, the performances themselves are also part of a scientific project. Subathra Subramaniam believes that dance can help people understand scientific concepts. The reactions of audiences, particularly their emotional responses to the show, is being researched by a senior fellow in science communication from the University of the West of England, who will publish her paper on it next year.

Unkindest Cut dance show staged at Sidmouth Science Festival | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
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Sidmouth Science Festival >>> "science in our lives" >>> Friday 5th to Sunday 14th October

The Science Festival preview started this weekend - and takes off in earnest on Friday 5th October:

Sidmouth Science Festival: Thursday 27 September to Sunday 14 October 2018 inclusive

The 2018 Festival will run from Thursday 27 September to Sunday 14 October 2018 with over 100 events including walks, talks, hands-on activities and exhibitions.

For an At-A-Glance downloadable version of the programme follow the link in this sentence.

Our 2017 photo albums are available for you to view by clicking on the link and any videos will be available on our Youtube Channel.
See our Festival Reports page for an overview of the 2017 Science Festival, plus event reports and videos on what happened.

Our Festivals depend on the generosity of donors and on grants. We make every effort not to charge for events so that they are accessible to all. If you wish to donate please click on our Virgin Money Giving link.  If you enjoy and support the Festival you can also become a Friend of the Sidmouth Science Festival.  Follow the link to find out more.

The Festival theme will continue as “Science in our Lives” to reflect how important the STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Maths and Engineering) are to everything we do nowadays. We aim to promote curiosity in the young, to inspire them to consider a STEM career in a rapidly changing employment market, in addition to encouraging self-confessed nonscientists to engage with science in fun ways, including art, drama and music and hands-on activities. We also provide talks by experts in their fields for those looking for something more technically challenging. 

Sidmouth Science Festival: Thursday 27 September to Sunday 14 October 2018 inclusive | Sidmouth Science Festival 

Sidmouth Science Festival - Home | Facebook

With a very nice overview of the event from the Herald:
Sidmouth Science Festival 2018 | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald

And from the Visit Sidmouth site: 

Sidmouth Science Festival- October 5th - 14th 2018

 

The seventh Sidmouth Science Festival runs from Friday 4th to Sunday 14th October 2018 with the theme of “Science in our Lives”.

The events during the week will cater for all ages and abilities with projects and demonstrations taking place in schools and colleges and throughout the town. Serious science talks and fun hands-on events take place on Super Science Saturday13th and at the Family Fun Day on Sunday 14th at the Norman Lockyer Observatory.

Ada Lovelace Day on Tuesday 9th October, an international celebration of the achievements of women in science, will feature eminent female scientists.

Various community groups will contribute events during the week, too.

In 2017 guest speakers included Dame Julia Slingo FRS and Prof Julian Dowdeswell from the Scott Polar Research Institute, as well as TV personalities Adam Hart Davis and Dallas Campbell. There was a dedicated Earth Science Hall, visit to a brewery and bat identification. The Family Fun Day included two model jet car races as well as many other activities for young people. Two weather balloons were launched and tracked with data being relayed back to the Observatory. The interactive Science trail along the seafront proved popular with families, too.

So there is something for everyone!

Sidmouth Science Festival - Visit Sidmouth

With a pretty cool example here from last year:




sidmouth science festival high altitude balloon flight - YouTube

Meanwhile, the Festival is getting more and more mentions - for example:
New perspective on planting plans in Sid Valley | Sidmouth Herald
Norman Lockyer Observatory gets council loan for classroom | Sidmouth Herald
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Talking plastic with Sidmouth College "really encouraging"

The Sidmouth Plastic Warriors under Denise Bickley and John Hammond gave a presentation to the Chamber of Commerce earlier today:
Futures Forum: Plastics Week in Sidmouth >>> helping businesses go plastic-free @ Chamber of Commerce breakfast > Wednesday 9th May

A week ago, they were in the schools: 

Sidmouth College Assemblies April 2018

Posted on May 9, 2018

Sorry for the oversight but I had forgotten to tweet about these very important events on April 25th and 26th. Myself, Guy Russell (Jurassic Paddle Sports and Sidmouth Lifeboat) and Jo Earlem (Author, Tuamor the Turtle) went in on the invitation of the College to talk to the entire school, split into two halves of Years 7-12, over two consecutive mornings.

What had prompted this was the mess around the College, between the Primary School to the College, and around the Youth Centre. I had asked the College to talk to their children but they called my bluff and asked me in, much to my terror. So we manned up, and with the other two by my side I found the strength from somewhere to get started – and guess what, actually enjoyed it.

I started off by talking about the Warriors, and what had prompted the decision to start us, and what we had achieved so far. Then Guy spoken beautifully about his experiences around the world and what the sea means to him. Also he told the audience about how him and his team clean the beach each morning, and he had taken along the #2minutebeachclean board and talked them through that, encouraging them to come along and pick up a few bits and put it in the bin near him. There were some familiar faces to Guy in the audience and so it was great to see the connection between generations, and hopefully the link to the sea and our coastal community, and taking responsibility.

Jo then spoke about what inspired her to write Tuamor, and we left a copy of the book with the Co-Principal, Martyn Dudley, so he could pass it round to the tutor groups and all the school could have a look at it. We discussed the idea that potentially the older children could go to primary schools to read it to younger children.

I showed them a short video of a Ted Talk which talks about the life of 3 plastic bottles – one goes into landfill, one drifts down a river (and a 3rd which is recycled but I cut that bit out as we want to REFUSE and REDUCE before we encourage RECYCLE!). It illustrates how plastics are made and what the dangers are.

I then talked again, about how as teenagers they may feel powerless, that they can’t change the world. With the illustration that a conservative estimate of 1 plastic bottle per person over 12 in the UK (ie who has buying decision authority!) means there would  55million bottles sold per week – per year in the UK alone that would be 2.86 BILLION bottles. When we are told that we only recycle about 50% (and don’t get me started on what actually counts as ‘recycled’) then that is still 1.43 BILLION bottles unaccounted for. So I encouraged them to think about the money spent marketing plastic drinks bottles etc to their age group, and how the industry treated them. Their £1 a day to spend on drinks can make a massive difference to the industry, and it can make them realise that they DO have power, they DO have a voice, and the only way to get industry to change is to either a) buy a tin of drink or b) don’t buy the drink, take a refill cup to school, save money for something much more interesting!

We also asked them to really think about their environment. They might feel weird picking up ‘someone else’s rubbish’ to start with, but if they start to think about it it is their world, their environment, and if they pick it up they will plant seeds with others and it will become normal. Peer pressure at their age is much more important than oldies like us telling them what to do, so I asked them in their own language to tell someone off for being an xxxx, and to use the bins!

Since doing the assembly we have heard back from Mr Dudley, and he said that several children reported back to him after lunch that the school canteen sells plastic bottles – that is being rectified! He has also asked his business manager to discuss plastic with the catering company to reduce their impact. Thirdly they are going to organise a litter pick around the school grounds, as they know there are issues with plastic in the grounds which has been covered over by leaves etc. This is all really encouraging and makes it so worthwhile.

Dx

Sidmouth College Assemblies April 2018 – Sidmouth Plastic Warriors
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Sid Valley HELP > bringing organisations together to share resources

Earlier in the year, a crucial community service closed:
Futures Forum: Sidmouth Help Link to close - but other voluntary organisations to maintain part of the services

But last month, a new service was launched:

Futures Forum: Sid Valley HELP launching next month

Organisations turn out as Sid Valley HELP launches - Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald


And last week, the Herald featured a cross-generational story: 

Sidmouth College pupils help create logo for Sid Valley HELP - Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald

The logo is an important feature of the service's website:
Sid Valley HELP – A new service for the Sid Valley

And Sid Valley HELP goes from strength to strength:

Thousands awarded to launch trailblazing help service in Sid Valley

PUBLISHED: 12:16 23 November 2017 | UPDATED: 13:04 23 November 2017

Beth Sharp

Di Fuller and Ian Skinner with George Chapman who designed the winning logo

Thousands of pounds have been awarded to a new trailblazing help service

The Herald previously reported that volunteers behind the Sid Valley HELP scheme needed to raise £60,000, to operate for its first three years.

Members of the Sidmouth Health and Care Forum, who are driving the project, lobbied Sidmouth Town Council at its latest meeting.

Di Fuller, the forum’s chairman, said once they were up and running they were confident they would be able to access nation funding and grants but they needed £5,000 to kickstart the project - which the council has now agreed to meet.

The new service is looking to continue the work of the Help Link Service, which closed in March after more than 20 years of helping people in the parish.

Councillors initially raised concerns about something similar happening to the new scheme, so invited representatives to talk about how this initiative was different.

Speaking at the meeting, Mrs Fuller said: “Our vision is that everyone in the valley will be able to access and make the best use of all the community services that are available and that community organisations can work together to respond to unmet needs.”

Mrs Fuller added there were numerous organisations in the valley which really helped meet the needs of the people, including everything from large charities such as Sidmouth Hospiscare to tiny groups which offered tea parties once a month.

She said the initiative, which was launched last month, aimed to bring all these organisations together to share resources.

Gill Ryall, CEO of Sidmouth Hospiscare, added: “Some organisations find it hard to attract volunteers, we don’t. We have volunteers who are asking for more to do.”

Cllr Dawn Manley said: “It’s absolutely brilliant – it has been welcomed by different agencies and is not replicating services.

“There is an absolute need for this. It is great you have started working on a website that is already bringing people together and all these amazing volunteers are asking for something to do.

“How lucky we are that you have dedicated your time to this voluntarily. It is the least the council can do, to support getting this going.”

Sidmouth Town Council award thousands to launch Sid Valley HELP - Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
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The general election in the West Country: the issues >>> education

One of the big issues during the campaign has been the funding of the NHS - and the confusion over the 'dementia tax':
Futures Forum: The general election in the West Country: the issues >>> health and social care

Another has been the funding of education.

Schools are a matter for County Councils, as attested during the last local elections:
Futures Forum: Devon County Council elections: the issues > school funding

But the cash comes from central government - and that is where many of the arguments have been:
Futures Forum: Town vs country: funding issues surrounding education, social care and councils
Futures Forum: Devon schools receive £290 per pupil less than the England average - and that is about to get even worse

Here's a useful overview from ITV - with a West Country perspective:
Wood's what if? Will education policy steer voters? | West Country - ITV News

And these arguments have spilt over into the pages of the Herald:

Breaking news & sport in Sidmouth | Sidmouth Herald
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Sidmouth Sea Fest: Saturday 13th May >>> getting arty with Creativity on the Coast

The full programme for the festival on the Ham is here:
Futures Forum: Sidmouth Sea Fest: Saturday 13th May >>> Variety Night including "Working the Sea" film premiere > and "Creativity on the Coast" workshops

Meanwhile, the Herald takes us to the College:

Community collaborates on Sidmouth Sea Fest artwork



Sidmouth College students pitched in creating a huge collaborative community art installation that will be displayed at Sea Fest tomorrow (Saturday). 

Community collaborates on Sidmouth Sea Fest artwork - Breaking news & sport in Sidmouth | Sidmouth Herald
Community collaborates on Sidmouth Sea Fest artwork
Breaking news & sport in Sidmouth | Sidmouth Herald
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Devon County Council elections: the issues > school funding

One of the top concerns in the County is the perception that schools are funded 'unfairly' by central government:
Futures Forum: Town vs country: funding issues surrounding education, social care and councils
Futures Forum: Devon schools receive £290 per pupil less than the England average - and that is about to get even wors

And it has become a party political issue locally.

Here is a piece out today on the Conservative Home website:


John Hart: Devon Conservatives are not complacent
– as the Lib Dems fight dirty


Published: April 14, 2017 23 comments

By John Hart


Cllr John Hart is the Leader of Devon County Council.

In Devon we are fighting hard to retain the majority we have enjoyed since our landslide victory in 2009. Currently the Conservatives hold 38 of the 62 seats on Devon County Council. Our nearest challengers are Liberal Democrats who hold 10 seats, Labour have seven seats – all in our major city in Exeter. UKIP have four and there are three Independents.

Boundary changes mean that the Council lose two seats so we need to win a minimum of 31 in May. In last year’s referendum most of the County voted for Brexit with the exception of Exeter and the South Hams. With Mrs May successfully triggering Article 50 and her double digit lead in the opinion polls, you might think we should have a comfortable victory.

However, I am counselling all my colleagues and candidates to avoid any complacency, particularly after all the electoral surprises we had last year both here and in the USA.

The Lib Dem’s are fighting the usual dirty campaign and trying to suggest we are responsible for school funding cuts because we are moving money within the education budget to support our most vulnerable children with high needs. Yet Devon Conservatives have a proud record in Devon of fighting for fair funding for our schools against all shades of Government and were founder members of the f40 group.

We have made strong objections to the proposed new national formula for education as it would reduce funding for nearly two thirds of Devon’s students. A key part of our election campaign is a specially set up electronic petition and we have strong support from our Members of Parliament on this issue. 

John Hart: Devon Conservatives are not complacent – as the Lib Dems fight dirty | Conservative Home

This is the take from the View News:

Devon Tories go against own policy on schools’ funding

By Peter Hodges April 13, 2017

DEVON Conservatives have launched a petition against their own Government, calling on them to properly fund the county’s schools.

East Devon MP Hugo Swire has signed the petition and has been vocal in his opposition of cuts that are being proposed across schools in the area.

The petition reads: “Each pupil in Devon received £290 less than the national average. Conservatives in Devon believe this is not right. The current/recent Government consultation is flawed and does not improve the situation. We therefore call on Government to increase the funding for the young people of Devon. We would ask you to support our petition for increased funding for the young people of Devon.”

The petition can be found at http://bit.ly/2o9g EAG

Schools across East Devon are set to see massive reductions in funding, after the Government launched their Fairer Funding Formula.

Honiton Community College Principal Glenn Smith described the cuts as “destroying our children’s future,” adding that the Government was “decimating our education system”.

Schools from across East Devon have spoken out against the cuts, as a majority will be affected by the new Government initiative.

Devon Tories go against own policy on schools’ funding - View News
Petition · John Hart: The Devon Conservative Group call on Government to properly fund Devon schools · Change.org

And this is the take from the Herald:


Devon schools will ‘lose thousands’ after controversial budget decision

11 April 2017  Tony Gussin

Schools will lose thousands of pounds following a controversial budget decision, it is claimed.

Sidmouth College

‘Worst case’ figures show the effect of Devon County Council’s (DCC) cabinet decision to transfer £2.2million from mainstream education to support provision for children with special needs.

This works out at £33 per mainstream pupil and schools across the Herald’s patch are set to lose a combined £102,927, according to figures provided by the authority to Liberal Democrat leader Alan Connett.

He said he had been told that, for some schools, the cuts would be less as a ‘minimum funding guarantee’ would kick in.

But DCC said the figures were out of date and based on 2015 pupil numbers.

It says every child in Devon is funded £290 less than the national average and recently education chief James McInnes wrote to the Prime Minister urging her to take action.

The council said reforms to the special needs system had seen it extended to the age of 25, but not enough money had been provided by the Government, with Devon’s ‘high needs’ segment set for a £4.7million overspend this year.

Defending the local budget transfer, a DCC spokesman said: “The money is remaining within education and the majority of it will stay within mainstream schools where the most pupils with special needs are educated.

“But we have had to re-adjust the balance from one area of the schools’ budget to another to compensate for the higher spend on education for children with special needs.”

Devon schools will ‘lose thousands’ after controversial budget decision - Breaking news & sport in Sidmouth | Sidmouth Herald

See also:
Revealed: How much money every school in Devon will lose in proposed education funding changes | Devon Live
Ministers can no longer ignore protests over the school funding crisis | Geoff Barton | Education | The Guardian
More schools to cut staff in East Devon | Devon Live
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