Pilton Bluecoat Academy birthday celebrations with Bishop Robert

On Monday 4th March 2019, The Right Rev’d Robert Atwell, Bishop of Exeter, joined staff, children and guests for a special day of celebration, 50 years to the day since the then Bishop of Exeter, confusingly also called Bishop Robert, opened Pilton Bluecoat school to the children from three local schools which had closed (Pilton Church School, Bluecoat Boys school and the Girls National school).

Along with the Bishop of Exeter the school welcomed a BBC Spotlight news crew who filmed the celebration and interviewed staff, children and special guests. Everyone connected with Pilton Bluecoat was very excited to see the report broadcast live during the six o'clock news that evening. 

During the day itself many previous members of staff, pupils and friends of the Pilton Bluecoat Academy attended different events throughout the day.The celebrations themselves finished with the school community joining the children and staff for refreshments at the end of school. 

John Searson, the diocese’s Director of Education, who also attended the event, said: “I was delighted to attend the school’s celebrations arranged to mark this special occasion. Pilton Bluecoat Academy has a long and proud history of serving local families and children effectively. The children were a credit to the school being excellent ambassadors for the school’s Christian ethos and values. I thank the staff and governors for my invitation and wish the school continued success during the next 50 years!”