Testimonials

I wanted to say thank you for a super open evening this week. My year 6 son, who is currently at a very small school and therefore is quite daunted by the prospect of secondary school, really enjoyed the experience. The effort the teachers had gone to to make their subjects friendly and appealing was evident and I was especially impressed as I know staffing is stretched at the moment. He’s now really excited about starting college next September, which is down to your hard work and thoughtfulness.

— Email from a parent of a prospective Y7 student, 2021.

My husband and I both wanted to say thank you for your tireless work in actioning the constantly changing guidance around the pandemic and for the clarity and detail of the messaging about arrangements. We feel you are doing everything possible to make sure the return to school is as safe and as smooth as it can be under the circumstances. We are fully in support of everything you’re doing and felt we wanted to let you know this.

— Email from parents of students in Y9 and Y11, September 2021.

Thank you Okehampton College for organising and all the staff for running this week [summer school]. My daughter was not looking forward to moving up to big school and was begging to not have to go ("can’t I just start in nursery again?"). After the fabulous time she has had this week she is now looking forward to starting and has new friends already.

— Facebook post from parent of students in Y6, August 2021.

Having received your recent newsletter, I feel compelled to send a quick message of appreciation. I can only imagine the difficulties that you have faced over the past year and a half and how exhausted you must all be. My son has continued to enjoy school during this time, to feel safe & structured, and has made good progress which is a testament to everyone's hard work.

— Email from a parent of a Y9 student, July 2021.

Many thanks for clarifying the new rule changes. The expectations of student behaviour are clear, concise and to be frank, perfectly sensible... We fully support the school... and are incredibly grateful for the dedication of all staff in their part in raising well-rounded, well educated children.

— Email from a parent, May 2021.

You have done — and do do — a brilliant job, in such a tough time (understatement).

— Email to all Staff from parents of a Y11 student, May 2021.

I would like to express my most sincere thanks for all that the college team have done to keep our students safe during this challenging time. Working in the NHS and being responsible for the welfare of my employees and patients, I appreciate first hand what emotional, psychological and physical efforts are placed in getting through each day. I admire and respect the way the college have positively approached the pandemic.

— Comment from a parent in response to a 'Keeping in Touch' survey, 2020.

Well done all. I think you've been doing a fantastic job in extremely challenging times. We appreciate your dedication, professionalism and bravery in keeping the education system going and our young people engaged. You are valued. Thank you.

— Comment from a parent in response to a 'Keeping in Touch' survey, 2020.

I know with absolute certainty that we are extraordinarily priveliged to have such an impassioned and empathetic individual teaching our children at Okehampton. If only Lloyd George, Clemenceau and Kitchener had opportunity to receieve such an education from this teacher in their childhood. This is absolutely inspirational to read; especially now. These children will carry and shre this experience their entire lives.

— Comment from a parent on Facebook responding to a teacher's daily write up of a school visit to London, 2019.

Last Friday my wife and I visited Montacute House with a friend. While we were there a group of students from the College were busy studying aspects of the house and its history. We were so taken by their excellent courtesy and consideration for other visitors, by their application to the tasks that had been set, and by their general demeanour, that we felt you ought to know what a splendid advertisement we thought they were. Schools receive much criticism these days. We're delighted to redress the balance in some small way by passing on our compliments, and by congratulating the staff who had carefully prepared and supervised such a worthwhile visit.

— Letter from a member of the public, 2019.

Further to our meeting last week I am writing to thank you and through you all the staff who have been involved in my son’s care and education during his time at Okehampton. I have watched him 'blossom' at Okehampton where he has had, not only an excellent education in academic terms, but also guidance in developing as a person. This has been largely due to the interest and enthusiasm from his teachers and the encouragement of the staff in everything he undertook at school. I especially appreciate the fact that he was able to visit Okehampton College one day a week for the year before he started - a first I think for the college and one that I would recommend to anyone with a 'gifted' child. Also the fact that the college provided two mornings for revision for GCSEs during the holidays. I know that he will really miss Okehampton but I am sure that with the start it has given him he will do his best with A levels and I hope and believe that he will be going to University. It is a credit to the teachers that he has put on his application to college that he would like to be a teacher!

— Letter from a parent, 2019.