STUDENTS and staff at Tavistock College are set to grasp opportunity and strive for achievement, following last week's official launch of the school as a co-operative learning trust.

The school is the first in West Devon to make the move. Its new status comes just weeks after results showing that 80% of students were achieving better exam results than two years ago.

The launch programme included words of inspiration and aspiration in a masterful example of public speaking by sixth year students, music from the college's gospel choir, a piano solo, Japanese presentation and poetry reading.

There were also short films featuring students from all years and in all departments, and the college's teaching staff.

Chair of governors Alison Malcolm said becoming a co-operative trust would bring the widest opportunities possible to children and staff at a school 'in the heart of the community', while retaining its autonomy and independence.

'We will be able to learn and gain expertise from others. We will be part of a formal way of learning from each other and co-operating together — co-operative schools have been around for a long time and it's something that's really taken off in the South West. I think here, people really see the value of being part of something and being part of the community. This is special and very unique to Tavistock,' she said.

College principal Helen Salmon said: 'Nelson Mandela said "Education is the most powerful weapon to change the world".

'We are changing this little part of the world quite a lot. We will be thinking differently and doing things rather differently, but threaded through it all will be co-operation and partnership.'

The partners in the Tavistock College Co-perative Learning Trust are UCP Marjon and Tavistock Chamber of Commerce — but Mrs Salmon said she looked forward to welcoming new partners, ranging from primary schools to other universities, voluntary and business organisations. Their input would provide great opportunities for training and learning for the entire school population.

She said that in today's harsh economic climate, schools had to look to new ways of working and making the best of the educational landscape.

The co-operative trust model was ideal, as the school retained its links with the education authority, but gained a greater degree of autonomy.

There will be significant curriculum improvements. Students are able to choose extra subjects, by taking part in 'twilight classes' after school. Animal care, astronomy and psychology are some of the unique subjects on offer, aimed to enrich and fulfil each student's potential.

Mrs Salmon said: 'We want our children to be really prepared for the challenges of the 21st century. They need to have all sorts of skills and above all they need self-reliance and resiliance.'

She said democracy was an important part of the co-operative ethos, with all students and staff having a say in how their school developed in the future.

'It's also about equality, with every young person having the opportunity to achieve their best. It's about being fair and unbiased and allowing children to flourish.

'I want the community to be proud of this school. Probably it hasn't been in the past but I think now it's beginning to happen.

'People often ask me why I came here. I could see the tremendous potential of this school in this community and things are now really starting to happen. This isn't a short term focus, it's a long term commitment.

To illustrate, the Chinese say if you're planning for a year, grow rice. If you're planning for a decade, grow trees. If you're planning for a lifetime, educate people.

'It's about looking to the future and being proud of being here.

'I want every young person to think "I went there — and we had a good deal".'