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Kingsbridge Primary to Host National Steplab Coaching Hub Day

Kingsbridge Primary School (KPS),is inviting educators from across the country to attend its next Steplab Coaching Hub Day on Thursday 29th January 2026, from 11:30am to 4:30pm.

Having been officially recognised as a Steplab Coaching Hub earlier last  year, Kingsbridge Primary is one of a small number of schools nationally to receive this prestigious designation, awarded to schools demonstrating exemplary use of Steplab’s evidence-based instructional coaching tools to support high-quality professional development.

The hub day will offer a highly practical and engaging programme, giving attendees the opportunity to hear directly about KPS’s implementation journey and the role coaching has played in driving rapid school improvement. Visitors will observe expert coaching in action, attend a live staff professional development meeting, and engage in meaningful discussions with school leaders about building a strong and sustainable coaching culture.

Kingsbridge Primary’s approach places instructional coaching at the heart of professional learning, with every teacher receiving fortnightly coaching supported by diagnostic tools, rehearsal strategies and high-quality feedback. The day will also provide space for reflection, discussion and sharing best practice with colleagues from other schools.

Places for the event can be booked here.

Miranda Martyn, Headteacher at Kingsbridge Primary School, said:

“This is a really practical and insightful day for anyone interested in using coaching and professional development as a key driver for school improvement. We are excited to share our journey, open our doors to other educators, and show how instructional coaching has made a tangible difference at Kingsbridge Primary School.”

Kingsbridge Primary Sparks a Love of Books with New Family Storytime Initiative

The community hub at Kingsbridge Primary School has launched an exciting new initiative to inspire a love of reading among local families.

Led by assistant headteacher Polly Gallagher, weekly Storytime Sessions are now running in partnership with The MotherBorn Collective and are designed to help parents and carers discover the magic of reading with their children from an early age.

The first session took place at the start of November and was a huge success, featuring interactive storytelling, puppets, props, and plenty of imagination. Toddlers and their families were captivated as stories were brought vividly to life, creating an atmosphere of fun, laughter, and learning.

Research consistently shows that children who are read to regularly develop stronger literacy skills and a lifelong love of learning. Through the new sessions the hub aims to support families across the area to experience these benefits first-hand.

Polly Gallagher, Assistant Headteacher at Kingsbridge Primary School, said:

“Reading together from an early age has such a powerful impact on a child’s development, it builds language, imagination, and emotional connection. These sessions are about more than just storytime; they’re about helping families make reading a fun part of everyday life.”

Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West said:

“This is a wonderful initiative that truly reflects the community spirit of our schools. By sharing their expertise, Kingsbridge Primary is helping to give every child the best possible start in life through the joy of reading.”

Community Unites at Kingsbridge Primary School to Support Next Generation

Kingsbridge Primary School held a special breakfast this month bringing together business leaders, volunteers from charitable organisations and elected officials for a discussion on how to help the children of Kingsbridge thrive. A wide range of community leaders were present including Matthew Shanks the CEO of ESW, Councillor Samantha Dennis and Tina Graham, principal at Kingsbridge Community College. 

Kingsbridge Primary School pupils were on hand to welcome the guests and headteacher, Miranda Martyn, gave an opening speech about how schools are a place where communities come together to support the next generation so that they can flourish in society. She outlined that KPS is aiming for every child to leave them with the academic accomplishments, communication skills and rich experiences to enable them to choose their life path, rather than having it defined by circumstance. 

Those attending foundout more about the Kingsbridge Community Hub based at the school, a space already making a real difference in the lives of local families for the last six months. Located in the building that once housed the Sure-Start Children's Centre, the hub offers facilities to charities like Action for Children, The MotherBorn Collective CIC, The Fidget Project and the Citizens Advice Bureau. 

Ms Martyn explained that the aim of the hub is to support families from ‘cradle to career’. With the goal being to provide Kingsbridge residents with the resources and services that they require to ensure that children get their needs met from birth, and arrive at primary school ready to thrive in their education. 

The Strengthening Communities Lead at ESW, Nick Banwell then addressed the group and asked them to complete an exercise mapping what they saw as the strengths and challenges of the town. He said that it was helpful to understand what the community really needs, rather than just working on assumptions.

Though Kingsbridge and the surrounding area are beautiful, many attendees raised the fact that there are limited local resources and that many residents must drive a long way to access services. Concerns were also raised about hidden pockets of deprivation in the town, as well as the sustainability of services organised by long standing, but small groups of volunteers. 

Rob Coles, the Deputy CEO of ESW, then talked about the launch of the trust’s Leading Great Lives Foundation. He mentioned that over one in four children in the South West live in poverty and that the region has some of the lowest rates of social mobility in England. 

Mr Coles informed the group that the new charitable foundation has been set up by ESW to eventually establish and run community hubs across all their schools which will provide access to family services, social activities and educational support. He said he hoped in the future the hubs would be able to expand into providing healthcare and dentistry services and the trust is exploring how to make this happen. 

Miranda Martyn, headteacher at Kingsbridge Primary School, said:

“Schools are at the heart of every community, and Kingsbridge Primary School is determined to ensure that every child leaves us ready to thrive in life. Our vision is simple, to give children the knowledge, skills and experiences to choose their own path, not have it dictated by circumstance. The community hub here is already changing lives, and today’s event showed how powerful it can be when we all come together with one shared goal to help children flourish.”

Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said:

“Our children only get one chance at education, and it is our collective responsibility to make sure that chance counts. Too many families in the South West face barriers caused by poverty, rural isolation and a lack of access to services. By working together, we can remove those barriers and create opportunities that allow every child to lead a great life. The new foundation and our network of hubs will play a vital role in making that vision a reality.”

Kingsbridge Primary School Holding First Coaching Hub Event 

Kingsbridge Primary School is holding its first coaching hub day on Wednesday the 8th October. Educators from schools across the country are being encouraged to come along and find out more about how KPS staff practice coaching. 

The school was officially recognised as a coaching hub earlier this year, a prestigious national accolade awarded to only a handful of schools using Steplab’s evidence-based tools to drive world-class professional development.

Visitors will enjoy a dynamic day of professional learning exploring how instructional coaching can drive school improvement and create a thriving culture of professional development. The programme will feature interactive discussions on coaching quality, practical professional development strategies, and will provide opportunities to share experiences and reflect on next steps. 

Kingsbridge Primary School’s approach centres around instructional coaching, with every teacher receiving fortnightly coaching using diagnostic tools, rehearsal strategies, and high-quality feedback.

You can secure your place here.

Miranda Martyn, Headteacher at Kingsbridge Primary School, said:

“We’re incredibly proud to be recognised as a Steplab Coaching Hub and to share the work our staff are doing to make professional development more meaningful and impactful. 

“Instructional coaching is at the heart of everything we do, helping every teacher to grow, improve and ultimately deliver the very best for our pupils. This event is a fantastic opportunity to open our doors, learn together and celebrate the power of coaching in education.”

Kingsbridge Primary School to Host Business Breakfast

Kingsbridge Primary School is hosting a special ‘Business Breakfast’ on Thursday 2^nd October 2025 between 9:30am and 11:00am 

The event aims to bring together business leaders and key local figures in education to help strengthen community ties. Attendees will have the chance to engage with members from the school and town communities and learn more about the work of the Kingsbridge Community Hub, a space already making a real difference in the lives of local families.

Located in the building that once housed the Sure-Start Children's Centre, the hub offers facilities to charities like Action for Children, The MotherBorn Collective CIC and The Fidget Project, with more community partnerships expected in the coming months. 

The breakfast will also be an opportunity to hear more about what is happening in Education South West schools, such as Kingsbridge Community College, which is also part of the trust. Speakers from ESW will be there to tell people more about their new charitable Leading Great Lives Foundation, which has been created to help children thrive both in and out of school.

ESW’s ambition is simple but powerful: to ensure every family and young person in Kingsbridge is economically active and engaged in the life of the town. They believe that by working together as businesses, educators, and community leaders, we can create a future where opportunity and wellbeing are within reach for all.

If you would like to know more about the event, or if you would like to attend please email: Claire.Tucker@EducationSouthWest.org.uk 

Miranda Martyn, headteacher at Kingsbridge Primary School, said:

"We are really excited to welcome local business leaders into our school. Kingsbridge Primary is more than just a place of learning, it is a place at the heart of our community. This event is about building relationships that will help our children, families, and local businesses thrive together."

Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said:

"Education South West is committed to working hand in hand with our communities. The Business Breakfast is a chance to show how schools, businesses, and local organisations can support one another. Our new Leading Great Lives Foundation is part of that commitment, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to succeed not just academically, but in life."