National, regional and local authority results for the phonics reading check and key stage 1 results have been published by the Department of Education.
The results for Devon show that 73% of six-year-olds in state funded schools (including academies) reached the expected level, four percentage points higher than the overall figure for schools in England. Those who did not achieve the expected level will be offered additional help from teachers to enable them to "catch up".
By year 2 the number of children who reached the expected level in Devon rose to 87%.
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning of further outbreaks of heavy, thundery rain for the South West during Thursday and Friday (3rd and 4th October). It has warned the public of the risk of flooding.
The Met Office reports: "Further outbreaks of heavy, thundery, rain will spread from the south during Thursday and overnight into Friday with the potential for some torrential downpours in places."
"The public should be aware of the risk of localised flooding."
The forecast for Thursday and Friday is as follows:
The government has announced that First Great Western Ltd will continue to operate trains between London Paddington and the south west until September 2015.
First Group's First Great Western (FGW) company has reached agreement with the government to continue running the franchise to operate trains between London Paddington, the Cotswolds, south Wales and the South West.
The government claims rail passengers will benefit from improved services, including greater WiFi coverage, on the Great Western network as a result of the new franchise agreement announced on Thursday (3...
Porcelain Complexion - a new exhibition from Devon Guild and Plymouth Museum on show at Bovey Tracey's craft gallery from 4 October to 17 November.
The exhibition tells the story of porcelain’s journey from China to Devon. It combines historical artefacts specially loaned from Plymouth Museum with the work of several contemporary makers. Amongst the antique tea-ware sits Carl – part of a group of hand-dipped porcelain dogs by Helen Felcey. For her, porcelain embodies both sharpness and softness and gives the familiar an other-worldly quality.
Rob Jones-Davies, a specialist in sourcing country houses and estates for discerning customers looking for a home in the country, has been appointed by nationwide planning and development specialists Rural Solutions.
With an extensive knowledge of rural properties across the South of England and the North East from where he originates, Rob Jones-Davies joins the business as a director. Given his widespread understanding and network he has been appointed to expand Rural Solutions' reach across the South, with specific focus upon the South West.
Dorchester-based independent, family-owned developer C G Fry & Son toasts the success of two of their site managers receiving awards in the South West regional finals of the NHBC (National House Building Council) ‘Pride in the Job’ 2013 in the medium house builder category. Steve Walker was announced as the South West regional winner for The Duchy of Cornwall Poundbury development in Dorchester and colleague Adrian White has won the Seal of Excellence for Wyndham Place in Tisbury, Wiltshire; his first site for C G Fry.
Pride in the Job is the only UK-wide competition dedicated...
Experts are warning of a looming crisis across England as a new report reveals that the country is rapidly running out of space to bury people.
According to a BBC Local Radio survey, a quarter of burial authorities will run out space in 10 years or less; nearly half (44 per cent) in 20 years or less and some areas have already completely run out of space - with others set to run out in less than three years.
The head of the Institute of Cemetery and Crematoria Management, Tim Morris, said: “This is a seriously worrying situation. We are heading towards many burial grounds...
The Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust is among a handful of hospitals across the country to have been awarded Exemplar status for its Radiology department.
The prestigious status, conferred by the British Society of Interventional Radiology, has been given to only nine hospitals nationwide.
These hospitals have all demonstrated a commitment to improving quality and access to Interventional Radiology. One initiative by the RD&E radiology department that caught the BSIR’s attention was the redesigned patient information leaflets. The society is suggesting...
Friendly, easy-paced walk taking in the Exeter landscape and its autumn wildlife.
This walk follows the Ludwell Valley, Mincinglake and Hoopern Valley for approx. 6.5 miles with some steep and muddy sections, finishing at Millers Crossing, Bonhay Rd.
Join Deveon Willdife Trust for part or all of the route.
Please bring your own lunch/drink.
No charge but donations welcome.
Goes from Ludwell Valley entrance, off Topsham Rd (opposite Northbrook golf course), Exeter.
