Honiton Community College

Honiton Community College
Location
School Lane

, ,
EX14 1QT


50°48′06″N 3°11′27″W / 50.8016°N 3.19081°W / 50.8016; -3.19081
Information
TypeAcademy
MottoSuccess for all; Kind. Curious. Resilient.
Religious affiliation
none
Established1938
136912 Tables
OfstedReports
Staff124
GenderCoeducational
Age11 to 16
Enrolment650
HousesHembury, Blackbury, Hartridge, Roundball
Colours   
Blue and yellow
Websitehonitoncommunitycollege.co.uk

Honiton Community College is a comprehensive secondary academy school in Honiton, Devon, England. It was originally established as Honiton Secondary School in 1938, and converted to an academy in 2011.[1] The school educates around 650 students,[2] and employs approximately 150 staff.[3] The current principal is Mrs Brothwood, who follows Alex Kirkbride, who follows Glenn Smith, who in turn, took up the post in September 2009 following the retirement of predecessor Norman Tyson.[4]

The school held 'specialist' status in science from 2005 until the specialist schools programme ended in 2010.

Inspections

In 2022, the school was considered to have an overall effectiveness of 'requires improvement' by Ofsted.[5][6] As of 2026, the school's most recent inspection was in 2024, with a judgement of Good.[7]

Music

The school has a music department.[8] Music clubs include a Russian Balalaika ensemble, a Japanese Taiko group, a House Band and a Rock School.[8] The school's Honiton Music Centre is open to anyone living in the area.[8] The school has a recording studio.[8]

Campus and buildings

Honiton Community College Sport and PE building on 5 December 2017.
The Sport and PE building, opened in 2017.

Parts of the college's physical estate date back to its founding in the late 1930s, and the school has faced a legacy of poor construction for much of its history. In 1993, former principal Norman Tyson described it as 'hut city', and the college was then believed to have had the highest number of temporary classrooms in Devon.[9]

Capital investment of ~£5 million between 2011 and 2018 improved the school's infrastructure and facilities, with the introduction of a number of purpose-built facilities, including an AV suite, dance studio, gym, sports hall, and sixth form common area as well as a refurbishment of English and the old Science block.

Student activities

In September 2010, the school launched a student-led local radio station as 'Radio HCC' on 87.7FM (which has since stopped airing).[10] Students at the school also have an inactive YouTube channel.[11]

Controversy

In 2022, Andy Holt, vice-principal at Honiton Community College, was found guilty of bringing the profession into disrepute after buying drugs, condoms and underwear for a 20-year-old in exchange for sex.[12][13]

Notable former students

The entrance to the Honiton Community College campus on School Lane, Honiton
The entrance to the Honiton Community College campus on School Lane

References

  1. ↑ "Honiton Community College, Honiton | The Good Schools Guide". The Good Schools Guide. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
  2. ↑ Ofsted Communications Team. (5 November 2010). "Find an inspection report". reports.ofsted.gov.uk. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
  3. ↑ "The Ledger interview: Matt Burrell, Honiton Community College". Tes. 9 August 2017. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
  4. ↑ "Norman Tyson: The man who brought investment to Honiton college". Midweek Herald. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  5. ↑ Ofsted Communications Team. (5 November 2010). "Find an inspection report". reports.ofsted.gov.uk. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
  6. ↑ "Honiton Community College - GOV.UK - Find and compare schools in England". Find and compare schools in England. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  7. ↑ Berry, Sara (2024). "Inspection of Honiton Community College". Ofsted. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "David Turner hits the right note". 13 July 2026. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
  9. ↑ "Norman Tyson: The man who brought investment to Honiton college". Midweek Herald. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
  10. ↑ "Radio Station". Honiton Community College. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
  11. ↑ "honitonCCTV". YouTube. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
  12. ↑ "'Sugar daddy' teacher banned met vulnerable woman for sex". Somerset Live. 14 July 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2026.
  13. ↑ "'Sugar Daddy' teacher met vulnerable woman for sex". Plymouth Live. 14 July 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2026.
  14. ↑ "RFU - England". RFU. Retrieved 16 December 2017.