As we reach the end of another busy and successful term, this newsletter captures something very special about life at �Ʒ��ջ�: the depth of talent, commitment and care that runs through our whole community.

This culminated yesterday with a moment that brought this firmly into view: opening our new climbing wall. It was genuinely heartening to see so many students, families, staff and friends of the school come together to mark the occasion. Even more powerful was seeing the wall immediately come alive, filled with activity, laughter, challenge and encouragement. It is already clear that this will be a space where confidence is built, resilience is tested and enjoyment is shared.

This project has been a long time in the making, and I would like to offer my sincere thanks to everyone who has played any part in making it a reality, particularly those who have given their time, energy and generosity through sustained fundraising. Projects like this only succeed when a community cares enough to join together and dream big, and when that happens, great things really do follow.

Elsewhere in this newsletter you will see many further examples of that same spirit in action: students excelling on stage, in competition, through service, scholarship and creativity, and staff going well beyond the everyday to provide rich and meaningful opportunities. Thank you for the trust, support and ambition you continue to place in the school and in one another.

I hope you enjoy reading this snapshot of a vibrant half-term, and I look forward to all that the summer term will bring.

Dr James Hunt
Headteacher

Torquay Boys’ Grammar School welcomed over 50 employers, universities, alumni, and community partners to its biggest Careers Expo yet on Friday 6 February 2026. Held in the Cavanna Centenary Hall, the event brought the entire school community together, giving students from all year groups the chance to explore an extraordinary breadth of professions, pathways, and possibilities.
From engineering, aviation, law, and healthcare to creative industries, advanced manufacturing, local government, and the armed forces, the Expo showcased the wide range of opportunities available to students as they consider their next steps and “Dare to Dream”. The atmosphere throughout the day was vibrant and purposeful, with employers praising the curiosity and confidence shown by �Ʒ��ջ� students.
Caroline Shimmin, Careers Lead at �Ʒ��ջ�, reflected on the significance of the event:
“This was our biggest Expo to date, and the effort behind it is always worthwhile when you see students fully engaged, making connections, gaining confidence, and opening doors to their future pathways. The conversations happening around the hall today were truly inspiring.”
Headteacher Dr James Hunt also praised the event, recognising its role in expanding students’ horizons:
“Opportunities like this are vital in helping our students open their minds to ambitious futures. The energy in the hall was palpable, and it was wonderful to hear students reflect on how their experiences are preparing them for exciting possibilities beyond sixth form at �Ʒ��ջ�. We are immensely grateful to the parents, local businesses, alumni, universities, and friends of the school who gave their time so generously.”
Rhys Davies, from Bridge Education Consultancy, highlighted the wider importance of the Careers Expo, explaining that
“it’s incredibly encouraging to see delegates from such a range of careers engaging with students’ and he described the school’s ‘holistic approach’ to supporting students to explore their futures.
This year, �Ʒ��ջ� also became the first school to take part in a pilot scheme exploring innovative ways to build stronger links between the curriculum and local Torbay businesses — including several world-leading organisations in their fields. Led by Bridge EOC, this pioneering work aims to ensure that students see clear, real-world connections between what they study in the classroom and the industries shaping the future.
The Careers Expo continues to be a key moment in the school calendar and a testament to the strength of �Ʒ��ջ�’s partnerships with industry, higher education, and the local community. This year’s event not only informed students about future pathways but also encouraged them to imagine themselves stepping confidently into them.

To see a full list of the employers and providers who helped to make the �Ʒ��ջ� Careers Expo so inspiring, click here

Dear families

We’re nearing the end of a very full and purposeful half term. Across the school there has been real growth: in learning, in confidence, and in the daily habits that help students thrive. Your partnership in ensuring students arrive ready to learn, equipped and prepared, makes a genuine difference, and we are grateful.

You may have noticed that our long-awaited climbing wall project is finally taking shape. The cladding panels are now being added, and it is exciting to see this initiative, many years in the making, coming together at last. We look forward to seeing students enjoy this fantastic new facility, hopefully, before Easter.

It has been a pleasure speaking with so many of you at parents’ evenings and open events over the past few weeks. My thanks also go to everyone who supported the Parents’ Association quiz night, which raised much appreciated funds towards some upcoming grounds initiatives.

On the theme of growth, today’s Careers Expo has been a real highlight of the term. The energy in the hall was palpable as students explored a wide range of opportunities and professions. We are immensely grateful to the parents, local businesses, alumni, universities, and friends of the school who gave their time so generously. I particularly enjoyed hearing students reflect on how their experiences at �Ʒ��ջ� are preparing them for exciting opportunities beyond sixth form.

You’ll find a full round-up of this half term’s achievements in next week’s newsletter, but in the meantime, do make sure you secure your tickets for Into the Woods: it promises to be a truly spellbinding production.

Dr James Hunt

Out of 2,400 youngsters on the moor, the first 12 back across the finish on Sunday were a combination of �Ʒ��ջ� and National Trust students, with the other teams finishing strongly also.  However, Ten Tors is not a race, and more pleasing than this were the stories of young people helping each other to success and the camaraderie this fostered.

A huge well done to the students and a huge thank you to all the staff and volunteers who made it possible for these students to grow as young men and make memories to last a lifetime. Thank you.

Mr A Brown

Torquay Boys’ Grammar School cast an outstanding spell of spooky delights over audiences recently with their rendition of The Addams Family. The collaboration from students at �Ʒ��ջ� and TGGS spanned over a 4-night run with the performances receiving well-deserved standing ovations on the final few nights.

Inspired by the characters created by Charles Addams, the book written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice utilises the lyrics and music of Andrew Lippa to create a comical feast that embraces the wackiness in every family. The story follows the extended Addams Family as they navigate their way through the things that spook them the most…growing up, love and normality!

Over 74 Addams Ancestors, Monsters and Ghosts gave terrifying performances as they helped and hindered the Addams family through their troubles. They were “guided’ through this by Piran Wills who gave an extravagant and genius performance as the deranged Uncle Fester. These family troubles stemmed from convincing performances from Evie Perkins and Reuben Tomlinson who portrayed a grown-up Wednesday Addams and her husband to be, Lucas Beineke, who are trying to bring their families together to announce their plans to marry. A planned dinner provides the perfect opportunity for Mal and Alice Beineke to meet the extended Addams Family; Barnaby Moules and Charlotte Key showed exceptional skill in the portrayal of the journey these parental characters go on and the changes they make to become an Addams. Hosting the dinner, Gomez and Morticia Addams, as played by Ed Butler-Cole and Hermione Whetton, are forced to make their own adjustments as their family and marriage are pulled to the absolute limit. Ed showed incredible versatility and leadership as the Addams matriarch, complimented by the un-nerving calmness and sultriness within Hermione’s performance. Combined with some excellent comical enactments from Seb Mabin and Keegan Weston as Pugsley, Rose Butler-Cole as Grandma and Elliott Hunt as the Addams Family butler, Lurch, the performance was Spooktacular!

Since the beginning of the process in September, students and staff have shown incredible commitment and creativity through a whole range of extended skills in costumes, props, set design, lighting, sound, music, and make-up to name a few. This year also sees one of the youngest orchestras in recent �Ʒ��ջ� shows, who did an outstanding job of tackling the deceptively tricky score. Fundamentally, they have gelled as an incredible group of talented, evolving, and supportive individuals of different age groups who all share the same passion; being on stage doing what they love.

Dr Hunt, �Ʒ��ջ� Headteacher, said, ‘this term’s performance of The Addams Family was a testament to the incredible dedication and talent within our school community. With over 1100 coming to see it over the 4-night run, it was truly a spellbinding showcase of six months of hard work by the 90 �Ʒ��ջ� students, 45 TGGS students, and countless staff and parents. This collaboration highlights the essence of our school family, where generosity and creativity come together to create something magical. Our community’s support and shared commitment is what makes events like this exceed expectations!’

If you were unfortunate to have missed this incredible show, the production team are already hard at work for the 2026 production which will be announced later this academic year. Keep an eye on /whats-on/ and our social media pages for this exciting next chapter of our story.

It’s been a great first week back, and hopefully that’s been the feeling for you at home too.

We welcomed our new year 7 on Tuesday, along with year 12, and both year groups experienced a special day of activities including music, problem-solving and discussion to get to know their new class mates, and become familiar with the school and year ahead.

The rest of the school returned on Wednesday, looking well-presented and willing to learn. Thank you to those at home that help get students here on time and in the right mindset to make the most of the opportunities at �Ʒ��ջ�.

I am sure we are all looking forward to the many events of the term ahead. Students should watch out for the the upcoming clubs and societies showcase, where they can find new things to get involved with, whilst you at home will be able to join us for celebration evenings, the Autumn Concert and Carol Service. Details will come home in due course, but I’ll take this opportunity to plug our Mistletoe Ball: encourage your friends and colleagues along to what promises to be the ultimate Christmas party of the season.

As ever, if you have any problems or questions, please get in touch with us at school using the contacts on our website, and we’ll do our best to help you.

Dr James Hunt

Yesterday, the second half of our year 13 students received their exam results. At �Ʒ��ջ�, students can choose to study A Levels or International Baccalaureate, meaning a wide range and combination of subjects is on offer. Across IB results (issued in May), and A Levels yesterday, 77% of all grades were A* to B (7 to 5 at IB). This is a phenomenal achievement and testament to the triad of students’ dedication to succeed, committed staff, and the support you provide as parents.

At the time of writing this, 92% of students have achieved their first or insurance choice of university. Popular degree courses include medicine, engineering, business and economics, sciences, and geography, whilst some students will be pursuing different pathways, including Alex Nicholls who has secured a competitive apprenticeship with Airbus.

Mr Lawrence was delighted with his final cohort’s achievements and commented, ‘With 77% of students achieving A* to B – or equivalent – we are delighted they’ve been rewarded for their hard work over the last 2 years and are set for the next stages in their lives’.

For those who have not made the grade, please don’t panic; get in touch with the sixth-form staff who can support you with remarks, retakes or finding courses through clearing.

If you are reading this as a year 13 family, this may well be the end of your formal relationship with �Ʒ��ջ�. However, please do stay in touch, and remember that you will always be welcome at any of our community events, from the school musical to the old grammarians dinner.

Congratulations to all our sixth formers and good luck for your bright futures!

Dr James Hunt