Our students and staff are celebrating today after we received a special letter of congratulations from the Secretary of State for Education, The Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP.  

The letter recognises the excellent outcomes that disadvantaged pupils across our school achieved at the end of the 2024/25 academic year, noting that our school’s performance places us among the very best nationally.  

Our Headteacher, Caroline Granville, said: 

“Receiving this recognition from the Secretary of State for Education is a proud moment for everyone at Coombe Dean School. It reflects the commitment, ambition and resilience of our students, and the relentless dedication of our staff who work tirelessly to ensure that every young person thrives, regardless of their starting point. We are especially pleased that this celebrates the achievements of our disadvantaged pupils and we remain firmly committed to improving life chances through high expectations, strong support and an inclusive, caring school community.” 

We are joined in our celebrations by six other primary and secondary schools which are part of West Country Schools Trust (WeST) who received similar praise from the Education Secretary – a sign of our group’s collective achievement and strength. 

Nat Parnell, CEO at WeST, said: 

“This recognition from the Secretary of State is testament to the unwavering dedication of our staff and the determination of our pupils. Across Westcountry Schools Trust, we believe that every child deserves the very best opportunities to succeed, regardless of their background. To see seven of our schools recognised among the best in the country for outcomes for disadvantaged pupils is something we are immensely proud of.”  

“This success belongs to the teachers, support staff, and school leaders who go above and beyond every single day to make a difference. Thank you also to our parents and families for their enduring support and whose role within our schools is so important.” 

In her letter to our school, the Secretary of State for Education said: 

“This success reflects the dedication of your staff and the hard work of your pupils. It shows what can be achieved when ambition and commitment come together. Thank you for everything you do to give children the best possible opportunities to succeed.”