Award puts college on the map

BRAUNTON School and Community College is one of only two schools in the country to receive the prestigious Centre of Excellence accolade from the Geographical Association. On top of this the school has received the Quality Mark Award, which the highly res

BRAUNTON School and Community College is one of only two schools in the country to receive the prestigious Centre of Excellence accolade from the Geographical Association.

On top of this the school has received the Quality Mark Award, which the highly respected 115-year-old association says is rapidly becoming the benchmark standard for teaching geography.

Head of Geography at Braunton, Nick Langmead, said they were delighted to have been successful in gaining such a prestigious award, not only the charter mark but being named Centre of Excellence too.

"It's a real boost for North Devon geography," he said.

"We were amazed because they have only awarded two this year. As far as we're aware there's no one else in Devon and Cornwall that has this.

"It's a recognition for all the schools who work together as part of the North Devon Geography Consortium - Pilton, Park, South Molton, Bideford, Torrington and also West Buckland, with whom we work closely.

"This will help us apply for funding from other areas and become involved with even more projects."

Mr Langmead also thanked Exeter University and Devon County Council for their help and support in submitting the award bid.

To highlight its importance, David Lambert, chief executive of the Geography Association, said: "The Secondary Geography Quality Mark provides a 'must have' form of professional recognition for geography teams in secondary schools nationally. It is a professional development tool which supports 'living geography' in schools and at the same time helps to prepare the Self Evaluation Form for Ofsted.