About Us
Devon Academy is a college of excellence in the field of professional massage therapy, which was established in 2004. Since then we have successfully trained hundreds of students to become therapists. We pride ourselves in being able to offer small classes with no more than 12 students, our average being 4 to 6 students. This enables us to provide individual personal attention and courses which can be adapted to the students individual needs.
Located in historic Paige's Lane in the heart of Barnstaple town center, to the side of Marks and Spencer, close to the main car parks, Devon Academy is a listed building which offers a superb atmosphere for learning.
We are one of the most successful registered ITEC Colleges with an established 100% pass rate in most of our examinations to date. We attribute our success to both our energy and enthusiasm and the dedication, focus and hard 
work of our students, which proves to be a winning combination
We also probably the only college specializing in "Fast Track" accelerated and intensive massage courses for beginners and Post Graduate practitioners wishing to polish and develop their skills. Our students are men and women of all ages and come from all over Britain, Europe and even as far a field as South East Asia, Africa and America. They come from all backgrounds, teachers, nurses, fireman, policeman, housewives, office workers, but all have the one thing in common, that is to change their career and become a therapist. You are never too young or too old to for us, our students range from16 to 66, as long as your willing to dust off the cobwebs on the old brain cells and put in the work and energy then we have a place for you. Academy students will be able to experience "hands on" supervised training with real clients as well as working on each other. We also have a resident counselor for students to discuss any issues or problems of concern
Devon Academy is also a busy therapy centre offering treatments to the local community. Several past students make up the team which opens seven days a week. Students will be able to see and experience first hand, the running of a clinic and see evidence of successful therapists who a few years ago were in the same position as themselves.
Principal: Gail Lowe
- Qualified nurse, practicing massage therapist, counselor and teacher
- Over twenty four years clinical and teaching experience
Gail has been a practicing therapist since 1986 after becoming disillusioned with her nursing career. Since then her experience and expertise have earned her an excellent reputation as a massage therapist with local GP's and hospital staff. Gail has over twenty years experience teaching in FE colleges and lecturing within the NHS. Most of her time is occupied teaching on all the ITEC Diploma courses but Gail specializes in teaching the Aromatherapy, Sports Massage and Stone Therapy Courses as well as the Post Graduate Courses. She also teaches the Complementary Therapy syllabus on the AS Social Care Course and is a consultant for book publishers for whom she reviews therapeutic text books prior to publishing. She brings a wealth of knowledge and "hands on" experience to her teaching.
Vice Principal: Derek Lowe
- Qualified teacher and practicing massage therapist
- Over 25 years business and teaching experience
Derek Lowe holds a BA degree in Business Studies and is fully qualified in many therapies. He studied Precision Reflexology with Pru' Hughes in Crediton in 1993 which greatly inspired his interest in Complementary Therapies and along with Gail's influence, made the change of career himself in 2003. He specializes in teaching Holistic Massage, Reflexology, Sports Massage and Indian Head Massage and understands completely the risks / emotions involved for each student changing career. His 25 years business experience in London allows him to impart his wealth of knowledge to students to prepare and assist them in their Business Plan Assignment. Derek has a quirky sense of humour which enables him to bring alive many of the more difficult aspects of the Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology syllabus.
Together, Gail and Derek have an excellent relationship and work well as a team. They each have a very different approach to teaching and believe that this appeals to all types of students what ever their needs.
Devon Academy of Complementary Therapies,
4 Paiges Lane, Barnstaple, North Devon, EX31 1EF, UK.
Tel: (+44) (0)1271 314 333 | e-mail: info@devonacademy.co.uk