Head for heights: Excellent rating

By Miranda Robertson miranda@westdorsetmag.co.uk

A proud Portlander whose teaching career has seen him travel around the south in various posts is now enjoying his first headship – and just a few months in, his school has been rated excellent across the board.

David Newberry, 51, took up the reins at Dorchester’s Sunninghill Prep in September after a 20-year career in teaching which started in state primaries.

He moved back to Dorset with wife Tammy, who deals with marketing and admin at the school, and within a few months the school scored ‘excellent’ ratings from the Independent Schools Inspectorate for its quality of education in both academic and personal development areas.

He said: “We are so proud of our kids – they are lovely. Music is really, really strong here – 85 per cent of the kids are learning to play an instrument. There’s a strong correlation between learning to play music and academic success. So we are keen to get as many of them as possible into music. It’s relaxing and calming and gives them the experience of performing in front of people, from performing to a few parents in a little room and building their confidence to public speaking competitions.”

In recent Lamda (drama) exams 76 per cent of pupils achieved a distinction. Beyond performing arts there’s an enrichment programme with all sorts of activities. On a trip to the River Wye pupils canoed 15km, which took them eight hours, and cooked all their own food. They have buddied up with nearby care home residents and told their stories – one pupil was very impressed by the fact his buddy, in her 80s, used to be a police officer. Their next project is to build an electric car, and they hope to rig up a solar panel to keep it charged. There are no SATs here –instead there are progress tests, where ability is measured alongside potential to spot any mismatch. Lack of progress could mean they aren’t working hard but equally could flag up dyslexia or other difficulties. In reverse a mismatch could mean a child is working much, much harder to achieve the same result, doing hours of work every night. “That’s not good either,” said David. “The tests show us what we need to do to help each individual child.”

Sunninghill’s building on South Walks Road holds a great deal of significance in Dorchester’s history. It was built in 1895 for

Show off your green fingers in gardens contest

The Melplash Agricultural Society is once again searching for the best gardens and allotment in the area. Every type and size of garden can be entered. There are prizes for the best large, medium, small garden and best allotment as well as a prize for the overall winner. The only stipulation is that the garden is designed and made by the entrant. If part-time help is employed it should be for no more than eight hours per week. The competition is open to all residents within a 12-mile radius of Melplash church and is kindly sponsored by Bridport- based William James & Co and Chedington Compost. There is no entry fee.

Applications forms are available to download from melplashshow.co.uk

But be quick – entries close on June 12. Judging takes place over two days on June 20 and 21 and the winners of each category will be presented with their cups and prizes at the Melplash Agricultural Show on Thursday, August 24.