Welcome to Kingsbridge Primary School

Community Unites at Kingsbridge Primary School to Support Next Generation

Kingsbridge Primary School held a special breakfast this month bringing together business leaders, volunteers from charitable organisations and elected officials for a discussion on how to help the children of Kingsbridge thrive. A wide range of community leaders were present including Matthew Shanks the CEO of ESW, Councillor Samantha Dennis and Tina Graham, principal at Kingsbridge Community College. 

Kingsbridge Primary School pupils were on hand to welcome the guests and headteacher, Miranda Martyn, gave an opening speech about how schools are a place where communities come together to support the next generation so that they can flourish in society. She outlined that KPS is aiming for every child to leave them with the academic accomplishments, communication skills and rich experiences to enable them to choose their life path, rather than having it defined by circumstance. 

Those attending foundout more about the Kingsbridge Community Hub based at the school, a space already making a real difference in the lives of local families for the last six months. Located in the building that once housed the Sure-Start Children's Centre, the hub offers facilities to charities like Action for Children, The MotherBorn Collective CIC, The Fidget Project and the Citizens Advice Bureau. 

Ms Martyn explained that the aim of the hub is to support families from ‘cradle to career’. With the goal being to provide Kingsbridge residents with the resources and services that they require to ensure that children get their needs met from birth, and arrive at primary school ready to thrive in their education. 

The Strengthening Communities Lead at ESW, Nick Banwell then addressed the group and asked them to complete an exercise mapping what they saw as the strengths and challenges of the town. He said that it was helpful to understand what the community really needs, rather than just working on assumptions.

Though Kingsbridge and the surrounding area are beautiful, many attendees raised the fact that there are limited local resources and that many residents must drive a long way to access services. Concerns were also raised about hidden pockets of deprivation in the town, as well as the sustainability of services organised by long standing, but small groups of volunteers. 

Rob Coles, the Deputy CEO of ESW, then talked about the launch of the trust’s Leading Great Lives Foundation. He mentioned that over one in four children in the South West live in poverty and that the region has some of the lowest rates of social mobility in England. 

Mr Coles informed the group that the new charitable foundation has been set up by ESW to eventually establish and run community hubs across all their schools which will provide access to family services, social activities and educational support. He said he hoped in the future the hubs would be able to expand into providing healthcare and dentistry services and the trust is exploring how to make this happen. 

Miranda Martyn, headteacher at Kingsbridge Primary School, said:

“Schools are at the heart of every community, and Kingsbridge Primary School is determined to ensure that every child leaves us ready to thrive in life. Our vision is simple, to give children the knowledge, skills and experiences to choose their own path, not have it dictated by circumstance. The community hub here is already changing lives, and today’s event showed how powerful it can be when we all come together with one shared goal to help children flourish.”

Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said:

“Our children only get one chance at education, and it is our collective responsibility to make sure that chance counts. Too many families in the South West face barriers caused by poverty, rural isolation and a lack of access to services. By working together, we can remove those barriers and create opportunities that allow every child to lead a great life. The new foundation and our network of hubs will play a vital role in making that vision a reality.”

Kingsbridge Primary School Holding First Coaching Hub Event 

Kingsbridge Primary School is holding its first coaching hub day on Wednesday the 8th October. Educators from schools across the country are being encouraged to come along and find out more about how KPS staff practice coaching. 

The school was officially recognised as a coaching hub earlier this year, a prestigious national accolade awarded to only a handful of schools using Steplab’s evidence-based tools to drive world-class professional development.

Visitors will enjoy a dynamic day of professional learning exploring how instructional coaching can drive school improvement and create a thriving culture of professional development. The programme will feature interactive discussions on coaching quality, practical professional development strategies, and will provide opportunities to share experiences and reflect on next steps. 

Kingsbridge Primary School’s approach centres around instructional coaching, with every teacher receiving fortnightly coaching using diagnostic tools, rehearsal strategies, and high-quality feedback.

You can secure your place here.

Miranda Martyn, Headteacher at Kingsbridge Primary School, said:

“We’re incredibly proud to be recognised as a Steplab Coaching Hub and to share the work our staff are doing to make professional development more meaningful and impactful. 

“Instructional coaching is at the heart of everything we do, helping every teacher to grow, improve and ultimately deliver the very best for our pupils. This event is a fantastic opportunity to open our doors, learn together and celebrate the power of coaching in education.”

Kingsbridge Primary School to Host Business Breakfast

Kingsbridge Primary School is hosting a special ‘Business Breakfast’ on Thursday 2^nd October 2025 between 9:30am and 11:00am 

The event aims to bring together business leaders and key local figures in education to help strengthen community ties. Attendees will have the chance to engage with members from the school and town communities and learn more about the work of the Kingsbridge Community Hub, a space already making a real difference in the lives of local families.

Located in the building that once housed the Sure-Start Children's Centre, the hub offers facilities to charities like Action for Children, The MotherBorn Collective CIC and The Fidget Project, with more community partnerships expected in the coming months. 

The breakfast will also be an opportunity to hear more about what is happening in Education South West schools, such as Kingsbridge Community College, which is also part of the trust. Speakers from ESW will be there to tell people more about their new charitable Leading Great Lives Foundation, which has been created to help children thrive both in and out of school.

ESW’s ambition is simple but powerful: to ensure every family and young person in Kingsbridge is economically active and engaged in the life of the town. They believe that by working together as businesses, educators, and community leaders, we can create a future where opportunity and wellbeing are within reach for all.

If you would like to know more about the event, or if you would like to attend please email: Claire.Tucker@EducationSouthWest.org.uk 

Miranda Martyn, headteacher at Kingsbridge Primary School, said:

"We are really excited to welcome local business leaders into our school. Kingsbridge Primary is more than just a place of learning, it is a place at the heart of our community. This event is about building relationships that will help our children, families, and local businesses thrive together."

Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said:

"Education South West is committed to working hand in hand with our communities. The Business Breakfast is a chance to show how schools, businesses, and local organisations can support one another. Our new Leading Great Lives Foundation is part of that commitment, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to succeed not just academically, but in life."

Kingsbridge Primary School Choir Shines at Exeter Cathedral

Pupils from Kingsbridge Primary School had an unforgettable experience this term as they took part in A New Creation, a spectacular musical event at Exeter Cathedral in collaboration with Exeter Festival Chorus and Devon Music Education Hub.

The performance brought together primary school choirs from across Devon, along with the Devon Youth Choir, Youth Chamber Orchestra, professional soloists and musicians, and the renowned Exeter Festival Chorus. Singing in such a prestigious venue alongside seasoned performers was a proud moment for the young singers and a fitting tribute to the school's long-standing musical tradition.

The Kingsbridge Primary choir was led by Mrs Lowcock, who is retiring this week after an incredible 31 years of dedicated service to the school and its music programme. She said:

“It was a fabulous experience for the children, and we are so proud of how they performed. To sing in such a historic and beautiful setting is something they’ll always remember. It was a perfect way to mark my final week at Kingsbridge.”

At Kingsbridge Primary School, the teachers believe music is a vital part of every child’s development, supporting learning, creativity, wellbeing and communication. The school's goal is to provide all children with a rich and inspiring music curriculum, helping them grow in confidence as listeners, performers, and composers.

Through a wide range of activities, staff spark curiosity and a lifelong love of music in pupils, whether for enjoyment or a future career. Every child is encouraged to explore different styles and cultures, and to find their own musical voice.

Gareth Howells, Headteacher at Kingsbridge Primary School, said:

“This performance reflects everything that makes our school special, teamwork, creativity, and a love of learning that extends far beyond the classroom. We are immensely grateful to Mrs Lowcock for her years of musical leadership and to everyone involved in this wonderful opportunity.”

Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said:

“Opportunities like this give our young people a chance to build confidence, find joy in the arts, and make lasting memories. We’re incredibly proud of the Kingsbridge Primary choir and of Mrs Lowcock’s legacy, she has inspired generations of children through music.”

Kingsbridge Primary School Named Official Teacher Coaching Hub

Kingsbridge Primary School has been officially recognised as a coaching hub, a prestigious national accolade awarded to only a handful of schools using Steplab’s evidence-based tools to drive world-class professional development.

Following a rigorous evaluation visit, the school was praised for its exceptional coaching culture, underpinned by trust, collaboration, and a relentless commitment to teacher growth. The Steplab team highlighted the school’s “rigorous and carefully designed” professional development model, which has helped raise the quality of teaching and foster a supportive, thriving staff community.

The school’s approach centres around instructional coaching, with every teacher receiving fortnightly coaching using diagnostic tools, rehearsal strategies, and high-quality feedback loops. The school has been invited to host coaching hub visits from other schools across the country looking to improve their professional learning culture.

Miranda Martyn, assistant headteacher and certified coaching lead, managed the transformation alongside her colleague  Polly Gallagher. Both have helped embed a consistent model of great teaching and a deeply supportive approach to professional development.

Kingsbridge Primary School now joins an elite network of schools across the UK, Australia, and the Middle East that support others to build sustainable, high-impact teacher development programmes. The school will begin hosting coaching hub visits from the academic year 2025-26.

Gareth Howells, headteacher at Kingsbridge Primary School, said:

“We are absolutely thrilled to be named a Steplab Coaching Hub. This recognition is a testament to the incredible work of our staff and the collaborative coaching culture we've built together. It’s all about investing in our people, when our teachers thrive, our pupils do too.”

Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said:

“Kingsbridge Primary School’s coaching model exemplifies the very best of what professional development should be, evidence-based, inclusive, and focused on long-term impact. Becoming a Steplab Coaching Hub is a significant achievement, and we are proud of the team for leading the way both regionally and nationally.”