Carole-Anne Barr, of Haldon Avenue, Teignmouth, chairman of the governors, writes:I was surprised to read the article in last week's Teignmouth Post with regard to the quoted claim by a councillor that the community was excluded from the campus of Teignmouth Community College. The governing body and staff of the college see it very much as a resource to be used by the local community. Indeed, the college is used extensively by the wider community and there are numerous examples of this. These include Teignmouth Film Society; Fish, a nightly after-school club for partner primary school students; partnership with Shaldon Optimists Cricket Club. from September, Talk Training will be based at the college delivering a wide range of courses for adult learning for this community. New Horizons – adults with learning disabilities – uses the facilities regularly for classes and drama performances and holds its annual open evening in the arts centre. The sports facilities are widely used by many groups including Teignmouth Ladies Hockey, Broadmeadow Football Club, Teignmouth Football Club, Bishopsteignton Football Club, Newton Abbot Football Club, Teignmouth Rugby Club, tai chi and karate. Other events supported by the college include the twinning arts exhibition; Teign Choral Society recently organised a prestigious performance here; the Scouts hold their annual meeting; Ten Tors Orchestra holds an annual concert; Teignmouth Folk Festival uses the camping facilities and uses the hall for its ceilidhs; Shaldon School has held fashion shows; Teignmouth Arts Society uses the facilities monthly and Teign Corinthian Yacht Club and Teign Rowing Club use the camping facilities for their championships. These are just a few examples of shared community use. There are many others but, of course, the core purpose of providing a first class education for 1,100 students in this community should not be overlooked. The previous five years have seen dramatic improvements in results at all levels, an Ofsted judgement of 'good with outstanding features' and considerable developments in the educational facilities for the students and their parents in Teignmouth. Teignmouth can feel justly proud of having a college that is leading the way in many areas of achievement and giving the children of the community an opportunity to develop their talents to the full.I was pleased to read that Cllr Parkes would like to start any new relationship with the college with 'a blank piece of paper' and the governors would welcome any contact from a councillor wishing to join the governing body. However, comments such as the community being excluded are factually untrue and not helpful to the council, the college or the community.
