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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.”

Kingsbridge Hits It for Six: Kingsbridge Primary School Named ‘School of the Term’ by Devon Cricket

Kingsbridge Primary School has been named Devon Cricket’s ‘Chance to Shine’s - School of the Term’ following the successful delivery of a six-week cricketing programme to the entire school. 

Led by South Devon Community Coach Niall Leahy, the cricket curriculum focused not only on developing physical skills and tactical understanding, but also on building personal and social confidence among pupils — particularly in Years 5 and 6.

To mark the achievement, Niall returned to Kingsbridge to present the school with a ‘Chance to Shine - School of the Term’ certificate and a brand new cricket kit bag. The school now plans to build on the momentum by organising a small-sided cricket tournament in the coming weeks.

At Kingsbridge Primary School, the PE curriculum is designed to ignite a passion for movement, build healthy habits, and inspire lifelong participation in sport and physical activity. 

Through a progressive approach, they support children to develop not just physical skills, but also the social, emotional, and cognitive tools to thrive, both in sport and across the wider curriculum. By the end of their primary journey,  pupils are equipped with the confidence, competence, and motivation to lead active, healthy lives.

Gareth Howells, Headteacher at Kingsbridge Primary School, said:

"We were so impressed with Niall’s well-planned and progressive curriculum. He delivered every session with enthusiasm and passion, which had a huge impact on the children’s engagement and enjoyment. The programme helped our pupils grow in their physical cricket-based skills, but also in teamwork, confidence and sportsmanship."

Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said:

"We’re absolutely thrilled to see Kingsbridge Primary recognised in this way. High-quality sport is a powerful tool for personal development, and this programme is a great example of how our schools bring learning to life in every way. Congratulations to the whole team."

Kingsbridge Primary’s Early Years Team Wins National Teaching Award for Outstanding Innovation

Kingsbridge Primary School is celebrating a momentous achievement as the school has been honoured with a Bronze Award in the category of ‘Early Years Team of the Year’ at the 2025 Pearson National Teaching Awards. 

The Pearson National Teaching Awards were founded in 1998 by Lord Puttnam to recognise the life-changing impact schools and teachers can have on the lives of the young people they work with. 

Recognised for its outstanding commitment and impact, Kingsbridge Primary School has not only transformed children's academic journeys but also their confidence, communication skills, and personal growth.

Through thoughtful innovation, KPS staff have introduced a pioneering model that combines Reception and Year 1 pupils, allowing for a slower-paced, deeply personalised learning experience. This approach has significantly boosted oracy and vocabulary development, enabling children to become articulate, confident communicators at an early stage.

The team’s dedication is reflected in its bespoke small-group teaching, collaborative planning with educational coaches and specialists, and a proactive approach to professional development. 

Outdoor learning is another standout aspect of the provision. From treasure hunts and mud kitchens to vegetable gardens and balance bikes, children are encouraged to explore, create, and take thoughtful risks, developing essential life skills through play.

Beyond the classroom, the Early Years team is a driving force behind the Kingsbridge Community Hub. Their inclusive work, including collaborations with organisations like The Fidget Project to support children with sensory processing differences, exemplifies their commitment to every child’s success.

Ofsted has also praised the school's early years provision, noting children’s rapid development of independence, strong routines, and the consistent prioritisation of reading and phonics from the moment they join Reception.

The team’s success is a testament to their joyful professionalism, collaborative ethos, and unwavering belief in every child’s potential. Kingsbridge Primary School continues to shine as a beacon of excellence in early years education.

Gareth Howells, Headteacher at Kingsbridge Primary School, said:

“This award is a true reflection of the passion, dedication and creativity of our Early Years team. Their work transforms lives every single day, helping our youngest learners grow in confidence, curiosity and communication. We’re incredibly proud to see their efforts recognised on a national stage.”

Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said:

“We are thrilled that Kingsbridge Primary School’s Early Years team has received this well-deserved national recognition. Their innovative approach and unwavering commitment to every child’s development exemplify the very best of what education can achieve. They are a credit to our trust and an inspiration to the wider sector.”

Kingsbridge Primary Showcases Coaching Culture to Visiting Educators

Kingsbridge Primary School welcomed 15 visiting educators this month, 13 from Wales and 2 from the Reach Academy, as part of the Pembrokeshire 100 professional development programme. The visitors spent the morning observing how Kingsbridge Primary School has embedded a strong coaching culture among staff that is transforming teaching practice and driving rapid improvement.

The day was led by Assistant Headteacher, Miranda Martyn, a trained instructional coach, who offered insight into the school’s coaching model and its tangible impact on classroom learning. Instructional coaching is a way for teachers to receive one-on-one support to improve their teaching skills, helping them to deliver even better lessons and boost student learning. Kingsbridge Primary headteacher, Gareth Howells, also shared his personal journey into school leadership, giving visitors a deeper understanding of the school's development and vision.

The visit, organised by Suzannah Wharf, director of education at Education South West, highlighted Kingsbridge Primary’s commitment to continuous improvement and its growing role as a model of best practice within the education community.

Feedback from the visitors was overwhelmingly positive, praising the school’s balance of “humility, enthusiasm, realism, and drive” and commending the professionalism of staff throughout the morning.

Kingsbridge Primary is proud to be part of a growing movement focused on teacher development and instructional excellence and looks forward to supporting more schools on similar journeys in the future.

Gareth Howells, headteacher at Kingsbridge Primary School, said:

“It was an absolute privilege to host such passionate educators. We’re incredibly proud of the coaching culture we’re building here. It’s collaborative, reflective, and deeply focused on improving outcomes for every child. Seeing our staff share this with such professionalism was a real highlight.”

Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said:

“Kingsbridge Primary School is quickly establishing itself as a beacon of excellent practice. Hosting colleagues from across the UK and sharing their journey with such openness is a testament to the strength of leadership and the positive culture in the school. It’s exciting to see the seeds of what will become a powerful coaching hub.”

Kingsbridge Primary School Recognised Nationally for Supporting Premature Children

Kingsbridge Primary School is proud to announce that it has been officially awarded The Smallest Things Prem Aware Award, recognising the school’s commitment to understanding and supporting the needs of children born prematurely.

Awarded by The Smallest Things, a national charity dedicated to raising awareness around premature birth, this recognition celebrates schools and early years settings that go the extra mile in supporting children who may face additional challenges as a result of being born early.

The award follows months of dedicated work by the school to increase awareness and embed inclusive practices across its classrooms and support systems. Staff have engaged in training and development to better understand how premature birth can impact learning and development, with a particular focus on areas such as processing speed, memory, visual-spatial skills, attention, and mathematics.

Premature birth can have lasting effects, even when a child doesn’t have formal special educational needs. Research shows that children born preterm are more likely to experience learning difficulties compared to their full-term peers, making the school’s proactive approach even more important.

With an average of two to three children in every classroom born prematurely, Kingsbridge Primary School is proud to be part of a growing national movement that puts awareness and early support at the centre of education.

Parents of children born prematurely are encouraged to speak with the school about any specific support their child may benefit from as they progress through their educational journey.

Gareth Howells, headteacher at Kingsbridge Primary School, said:

“We are incredibly proud to be recognised as a Prem Aware School. At Kingsbridge Primary school, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. This award reflects our commitment to supporting all children, particularly those who may face unseen challenges, so that they feel valued, understood, and equipped to succeed.”

Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said:

“This award is a testament to the dedication of the staff at Kingsbridge Primary School and their unwavering belief in every child’s potential. The Prem Aware status exemplifies our Education South West’s mission to transform lives through education by creating nurturing, inclusive, and empowering environments for all children.”