From the moment they set off, runners are dreaming of the finish line 🙌

It`s always great to see crowds of spectators and finishers cheer on each runner as they complete their Exmoor.

For the top 3 runners of each race, there are medals and silverware. And this year every runner that completed their race was awarded a commemorative Exmoor pin badge or keyring 🏅

That`s a wrap for Exmoor 2025 🏃🏽‍♂️🏃🏽‍♀️

#wbssport #ExmoorRun2025 @willhp.studio ...

🎭 Year 11 GCSE Drama Play (7 of 7): `The Memory of Water`

Our final GCSE play showcased Caitlin B, Beatrice C, and Scarlett N in their brilliant rendition of Shelagh Stephenson`s Olivier Award-Winning comedy, `The Memory of Water`.

Each actor delivered mature, sensitive, and hilarious performances, portraying three uniquely different sisters who reunite for their mother`s funeral. The sisters` wildly contrasting personalities caused sparks to fly and havoc to ensue!

#wbsdrama #GCSEDrama ...

🦺 It takes over 50 marshals to guide our Exmoor runners back to School – so let’s hear it for this year’s marshals!

Spread out across the course in 11 groups and always ready with a high five and a cheer, our marshals are an essential part of Exmoor Day. And this time, year 6 joined the team as ‘The Angels’, looking after the first section of the Kinsford Full on the highest point of the race over the Fyldon Common.

Thank you to all our marshals, helpers and the staff team behind Exmoor 2025! 👏👏

Still to come - pics of the finish and prize giving...

#wbssport #ExmoorRun2025 @willhp.studio ...

🌞 What a week for DofE assessed expeditions in the Brecon Beacons! 🌞

Last week, our Gold DofE hikers spent 4 days on their expedition while Silver DofE hikers spent 3 days on theirs. All showed great comradery, team work and navigational skills, coming home tired and happy after a truly memorable trip.

Our Y9 were also able to practice tent skills for their upcoming DofE training and assessments later in the year. Well done, everyone! 🙌

#dukeofedinburghsaward #golddofe #silverdofe #breconbeacons #OutdoorLearning ...

We`re always happy to include alumni and members of the West Buckland School community to run for the OWBA on Exmoor Day 🏃‍♀🏃🏾

This year we had a record number of entries, impressive run times and - most importantly - smiles all round!

Congratulations to our OWBA runners 👏👏

None of this would be possible without our squad of marshals - photos coming soon!

#wbssport #ExmoorRun2025 @willhp.studio @wbs_owba ...

All power to the Juniors! 🙌

Five miles from School, students in years 8 - 10 took on the Stowford Junior Exmoor Run 🏃‍♀️🏃🏼 Well done everyone!

Up next, our OWBA runners...

#wbssport #ExmoorRun2025 @willhp.studio ...

🎭 150 Theatre Speech and Drama Festival 2025 🎭

We`re celebrating the winners of the 150 Theatre Speech and Drama Festival! 🌟
With 71 performers, our adjudicators Gill Nathanson and Bill Buffrey from Multistory Theatre Company (@multistorytc) were thrilled by the diversity of performances.

🏆 Overall Awards for 2025:
Junior Performer: Martha May L for "Bird" by K Chandler
Senior Performer: Reuben N for "Tom" from A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
Comedy Award: Sam S for "Lego" from Yo-Yo by Dino Mahoney
Novice Performer: Austen H-W and Kit E for "Tupolski and Katurian" in The Pillowman by M McDonagh
Innovative Character: Matty H for "Detective Ariel" in The Pillowman
Musical Theatre: Ben H for "Heaven’s Light" from The Hunchback of Notre Dame & Erin G for "Burn" from Hamilton

On Thursday May 1st there will be an opportunity to enjoy all the above performances and a few more of those who achieved the highest marks in the Festival, at the Gala Evening of Festival Highlights, beginning at 18.30 pm in the 150 Theatre. 🎉

#wbsdrama #150TheatreSpeechAndDramaFestival2025 #wbsmiddle #wbssixthform ...

🎭 Year 11 GCSE Drama Play (6 of 7): `The Pillow Man`

Kit E, Austin HW, and Matty H delivered outstanding performances in their scenes from The Pillowman for their GCSE Drama exam, with Ryan L`s lighting creating an added layer of suspense.

Their skilful portrayal of the play`s dark themes and quirky characters also earned them top distinctions at the 150 Drama Festival. 👏 ...

🏃🏻🏃🏿‍♀️Heasley Mill was a hive of activity last Tuesday as runners set off on the Heasley Mill Inter Exmoor Run, just over 6 miles of varied terrain before the notorious Cleave climb and final stretch to School.

A huge well done to all who took part 👏👏

Look out for more of @willhp.studio photos to come - the Stowford Junior Exmoor Run coming up!

#wbssport #ExmoorRun2025 ...

High up on Exmoor, students from years 11-13 as well as OWBA runners gathered for the start off the Kinsford Full Exmoor Run 🏃‍♂️🏃🏾‍♀️

Blue skies gave spectacular views of much of the course back to the School, but for our participants it was all about focus as they prepared to take on 11 miles of moor, fields and forest to the finish line 🙌

More Exmoor Day photos still to come - up next, the Heasley Inter Exmoor Run!

#wbssport #ExmoorRun2025 @willhp.studio ...

🏃🏾🏃🏼‍♀️We`re still buzzing from Exmoor Day!

On the 1st of April, a rousing assembly and the all-important face painting and preparations kick started our 163rd Exmoor Day. Runners then set off on foot for the various starting points for the Kinsford Full Exmoor Run, Heasley Inter Exmoor Run and Stowford Junior Exmoor Run.

What an amazing day for a run - wall to wall sunshine and high spirits created an incredible atmosphere and the perfect end to Spring Term 🌞

#wbssport #ExmoorRun2025 ...

🎭 Year 11 GCSE Drama Play (5 of 7): `Immaculate`

Meredith M and Katya C had the audience in stitches with hilarious performances in their GCSE play `Immaculate`.
Meredith`s portrayal of a six-months-pregnant character, complete with her delightful waddle around the stage, was a highlight of the evening. Seeing her try to get out of the chair was a sight to behold!

#wbsdrama #GCSEDrama ...

🎭 Year 11 GCSE Drama Play (4 of 7): `Mary Stuart`.

Presenting extracts from Schiller`s `Mary Stuart`, Jessica P (Mary) and India W (Elizabeth I) brilliantly captured the dangers of Elizabethan England, including the royal cousins` ruthless battle for the throne. Their powerful portrayals left the audience completely gripped and on the edge of their seats.

#wbsdrama #wbsmiddle #GCSEdrama #MaryStuart ...

🥾 It`s been a busy week for our adventurous students at Outdoor Learning! Our four Ten Tors teams trained hard over the weekend, walking their socks off in preparation for the big event in May and the Exmoor challenge on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, our Gold Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) pupils successfully completed their practice weekend and are gearing up for their expedition to the Brecon Beacons on Thursday. 🏞️

Joining them are 29 enthusiastic Year 10 pupils who are undertaking their Silver DofE assessed expedition.

Keep up the fantastic work, everyone!

#TenTors #DofE #OutdoorLearning #wbsmiddle ...

🌞 Year 8 students soaked up the afternoon sun while learning about the origins of their food and connecting with nature.

At the Exmoor Game School (@theexmoorgameschool24), pupils had the unique opportunity to prepare rabbits for cooking under the expert guidance of Darren Sherwood. Meanwhile, other students enjoyed making Damper breads over an open fire. 🌿

#ExmoorGameSchool #wbsmiddle #OutdoorEducation ...

🎶 **An Afternoon of Talent and Togetherness** 🎶

Yesterday, students gathered in the Memorial Hall for an *Informal Concert*, where they performed for one another in a heartwarming celebration of creativity, hard work, and community.

This special event wasn’t just about showcasing talent—it was about growth. Performing for peers fosters confidence and resilience, as students step out of their comfort zone to share their artistry. It strengthens bonds of camaraderie and mutual support, reminding everyone of the power of collaboration and encouragement.

And, of course, it was a chance to have fun, inspire one another, and enjoy a variety of wonderful performances!

Thank you to everyone who participated and supported this magical event. Let’s continue celebrating the talents and connections that make our community so unique! 🎭🎤🎵 ...

🏀 On Saturday, our Parkers house parent, Mr Reed, set up a basketball challenge between the boarding pupils of Parkers and Boyer at the JESC.

The game started with Boyer in the lead, but Parkers made a strong comeback, making it a thrilling and evenly matched contest. The game lasted for two hours, with a fantastic display of sportsmanship and involvement from a variety of pupils. A special guest appearance from Bamfylde, who supported the Boyer team, added to the excitement.

This is one of the great ways we encourage community spirit between our boarding houses!

#wbsboarding #Parkers #Boyer #Bamfylde #boardingschoollife #boardingschooldevon #boardingschooluk #UKIndependentSchool ...

🤍 Today, West Buckland School was filled with white roses in celebration of White Valentines, raising money for North Devon Hospice. 🤍

With the help of the students, Miss Hill has been collecting donations and requests, tying messages to roses, and delivering them to the right people throughout the day! It`s been a great opportunity for people to show their appreciation for others around the school.

White Valentines originated in Japan and was designed to mirror Valentines Day in a unique way – while it was customary on Valentines Day for women to gift chocolates to the men in their lives (not just their partners), on the 14th of March the recipients returned the favour with a gift of white roses.

👕 This also ran alongside Pyjama Day where this Friday, with a £1 donation, students came into school wearing their comfiest and warmest PJs!

Thanks to the Charities Committee, both initiatives are raising money for the Cuddle Appeal for North Devon Hospice.

#wbsmiddle #wbssixthform #wbsboarding #whitevalentine #whiteroses #northdevonhospice ...

🎭 Year 11 GCSE Drama Play (2 of 7): `The Pillowman`.

Reuben R and Joseph N delivered gripping performances in their extracts from ‘The Pillowman’ with Jack W`s lighting enhancing the tension.

Together, they captured the dark themes of the play with skill, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats.

Thank you so much to @howaboutdavephotography for all these beautiful photos.

#wbsmiddle #ALevelDrama #ALevelTheatre #wbsdrama ...

🎵 The West Buckland Chapel Choir has had an incredibly rewarding two weeks, sharing beautiful music in two wonderful locations. Last week, they performed Choral Evensong at the historic Exeter Cathedral, a service that has been cherished for centuries.

On Ash Wednesday, they joined our local parish at St James` Church, Swimbridge, for a special celebration. This service was particularly significant as it marked the re-consecration of the newly restored Medieval pulpit.

Bravo to the choir for their inspiring performances!

#WestBucklandChapelChoir #ExeterCathedral #wbsmusic #AshWednesday ...

🎭 Year 11 GCSE Drama Play (1 of 7): `Antigone`.

Rosie M and Florie B delivered a captivating performance of two extracts from `Antigone` for their GCSE Drama.

It was impressive seeing them take on the challenge of Greek theatre, and their portrayal was full of intrigue and tension. Bella H`s beautiful, atmospheric lighting enhanced the drama, creating a mesmerising performance.

#wbsdrama #wbsmiddle #GCSEdrama #Antigone ...

Recently Issie O. went on the Sri Lanka U15 Girls Tour 2025 with Devon Cricket, representing our county from 9 to 21 February.
We have a special report by Issie here!

"The 2025 Sri Lanka Tour was an unforgettable experience that I wish I could relive. I gained so much knowledge about cricket and the local culture, experiencing it all first-hand. From the moment we stepped off the plane and exited the airport on the first day, the intense humidity and heat hit us, along with a wave of excitement for our first game. During the journey to the match, the team was a bundle of nerves and anticipation. It suddenly felt so real.
Upon arriving at the ground, the opposition greeted us warmly, waving at us from the clubhouse. This made us feel welcomed and respected in a foreign country. We were fortunate to start the tour with a win, an incredible achievement considering we had never played in such heat before. The opposing team was very eager to interact with us, exchanging shirts and numbers, even though the outcome of the match did not go their way. This kind of connection with another team was extraordinary and something I will never forget.
Throughout the tour, our team bonded and supported each other, both on and off the field. This camaraderie helped us secure strong performances, leading to two more match wins.
During one of the games, I was chosen to be the captain, and I felt an immense sense of responsibility and pride. It was such a rewarding experience, and seeing the team come together and perform so well was incredibly fulfilling.
I am incredibly grateful for this amazing tour. The memories will stay with me forever, and I am thankful to Dave, Katie, and Ann-Marie for their patience and for providing us with this incredible opportunity and excellent coaching. Thank you so much for the 2025 Sri Lanka Tour; it was perfect in every way, and I wouldn’t change a thing. "

A huge thanks to Devon Cricket for making this possible for these talented and hard working young women of Devon!

#devonsrilankatour #lionssportstravel #devoncricket #gowaybeyond #makeyourmark #respect #resilience #kindness #curiosity #wbssport #wbsmiddle #internationalwomensweek ...

🎶 On Saturday evening, the Queens Theatre in Barnstaple came alive with the sounds of Mahler, Beethoven, and Gershwin, as the #NorthDevonSinfonia delivered an unforgettable performance to a packed house. Among the evening’s many highlights was a truly spectacular moment by Dom Carter, who dazzled the audience with his breath-taking rendition of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Not only did Dom showcase his mastery on the piano, but he also conducted the orchestra with unparalleled flair, leaving the crowd in awe.

As if that wasn’t enough, the encore brought even more magic. Dom was joined by his wife, Kate Carter, the orchestra’s leader, as well as her sisters, Jenny and Emma, to perform a charming original arrangement titled Gershwin Rag. This delightful piece, composed by Dom himself, showcased the dynamic talent and family spirit that elevated the evening to extraordinary heights.

🌟 In total, 20 members of the West Buckland School WBS community—including teachers, pupils, parents, and Old West Buckland Association (@wbs_owba) members—took part in this incredible event. It was a resounding testament to the vibrant music culture at WBS, highlighting the strength, quality, and rich opportunities the school fosters for its musicians.

#wbsmusic #LivePerformance #Gershwin #Beethoven #Mahler #westbucklandschool ...

🏅 Huge congratulations to all participants of the Bremco North Devon Cross Country League 2024-25! 🏅

We were thrilled to host the final leg and award ceremony. The dedication, effort, and sportsmanship displayed by everyone, from the under 9s to the senior categories, was truly inspiring. Each race was brimming with determination and enthusiasm! 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

#CrossCountry #Congratulations ...

🎭 What a star line-up on Thursday, with the 14th Speech and Drama Festival. From Year 4 soloists to Year 13, this really was a diverse presentation of performances, including Classical monologues, stage-lighting design, modern drama and Improvisation.

Thank you to adjudicators Gill Nathanson and Bill Buffery, also to Fatima A and Tommy B, plus Mr Wilson and students for lighting! What a truly memorable event!

At West Buckland School, the Creative Arts is a defining strength and it`s our students and dedicated staff who put in so much dedication, passion and hard work. Not surprising therefore that July 2024 saw A Level Drama achieve 100% A*- B.

But it`s not all about those results. At West Buckland School, our students make their mark time and again, such as stunning performances such as this, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

#wbsdrama #wbsmiddle #wbssixthform #wbsmusic #SpeechandDramaFestival ...

Congratulations to @capacity_16 winning the Battle of the Bands at Exeter Phoenix!

Such a great opportunity for young musicians from across Devon to showcase their talent and have fun.

#wbssixthform #Capacity_16 @devonmusicedhub ...

🐦 Thank you to Darren Sherwood of Exmoor Game School for guiding our Year 9 pathfinders! Each pupil prepared their own pheasant, learning about its journey from the woods to the table. They filleted the breast and cooked pheasant nuggets on stoves in our outdoor shelter.

The experience was made even more enjoyable by the beautiful spring sunshine. Thank you, @theexmoorgameschool24 ☀️

Later this month, the Game School will be working with our Year 8 pupils!

#wbsmiddle #ExmoorGameSchool #OutdoorLearning #pathfinders ...

🎭Please join us in wishing the best of luck to Myma K (Year 7) and Henry P (Year 8), as they have advanced to the regional heat of the national competition `West End Calling` for Musical Theatre! 🎶

#wbsmiddle #wbsdrama #westendcalling2025 #musicaltheatre ...