Students at Isca Academy were treated to a star-studded career talk with Joe Kidd, a former Isca student and now a hot-shot assistant producer in the film and TV industry. 

Joe, who has worked on some of the biggest films and TV shows in entertainment—such as James Bond, Doctor Strange, The Crown, and Wurzel Gummidge—shared his inspiring journey and insights with students.

During the session, Joe captivated students with stories from his impressive career, offering a glimpse into the huge variety of roles available in the TV and film industries. He also led an interactive activity where students guessed the budgets of films and shows they regularly watch, providing them with a fun and informative look at the scale of production. The session concluded with students brainstorming their own film concepts, choosing actors, and estimating production budgets.

Joe’s journey into the industry was anything but traditional. He explained that after completing a BTEC at Exeter College, he went on to study at a small specialist media university in London. A self-described "non-academic," Joe demonstrated how vocational learning and practical experience can pave the way to success in creative industries.

Isca Academy, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, aims to expose students to various career opportunities, as staff work to ensure that every learner can reach their full potential and pursue a future they are passionate about.

Mrs Vicki Joyce, Headteacher at Isca Academy said:

“We were absolutely thrilled to welcome Joe back to Isca Academy to inspire the next generation of filmmakers, producers, and creatives. His journey is a perfect example of how diverse career paths can be, and he showed our students that with passion and the right skills, they can achieve incredible things.”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“At the Ted Wragg Trust, we are committed to broadening the horizons of our students and opening doors to a wide range of career opportunities. Joe’s visit is a fantastic example of how we can inspire our students with real-world experiences and show them the many pathways that are available to them.”

Students from Sidmouth College have started taking part in Empowering Girls mentoring sessions this term. A selection of Year 9 girls are working with inspirational local women who have volunteered their time for six weeks to support the school’s developing Careers Programme. 

The aim is to have the programme running throughout the year so that as many girls as possible can take part and benefit from the mentors skills and experience.

The mentors hope to build up the girls' communication skills and confidence to help them while they are still at school and in the future. The mentoring arrangement can also lead to work experience placements when they are in Year 10.

The mentors for this programme represent a wide variety of industries, including finance, healthcare, law, and project management. They include:

• Vicky Friedlander, Divisional Director – Investment Manager
• Carolyne Baker, Process Improvement Consultant
• Bernice Williams, Manager - Livewest
• Denese Molyneux, Financial Planner
• Kelly Louise Preece, University Manager
• Hannah Barnard, Alumni/Healthcare Manager
• Jemma Norris, Remedial Therapist
• Ellie Axton, Project Management, Coreus
• Amy Lavers, Partner and Solicitor at Tozers

The Empowering Girls programme has been designed to support girls with their confidence, raise aspirations and provide students with positive female role models.

Sidmouth College, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, has a strong careers programme with an emphasis on providing information and increasing self-awareness and decision-making. The programme begins in Year 7 and continues throughout students’ time at the College, supported by the Careers and Work Related Learning Co-ordinator. Staff encourage students to look carefully at their own abilities and preferences when making choices about the future and support students to work towards their future goals.

Mrs Lisa Whitworth, Headteacher at Sidmouth College said:

“We are thrilled to have such an incredible group of women involved in this programme. Their guidance and support will have a lasting impact on the girls, helping them to develop the skills they need to succeed, both at school and in their future careers.”

Moria Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“This initiative is a fantastic way to give young girls the tools they need to thrive. The mentors are not only sharing their expertise but also offering a vision of what these students can achieve with hard work and determination. We look forward to seeing this programme grow and empower more students in the years to come.”

Students across Devon have been raising funds for Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day appeal which took place on Friday 21st March.

Sidmouth College, Exwick Heights Primary School, Isca Academyand the Whipton Barton Federation, all part of the Ted Wragg Trust, have been fundraising through a variety of activities.

Over at Isca Academy students were encouraged to wear something red in exchange for a £1 donation and at Exwick Heights there was a non uniform day with pupils invited to come in wearing their most fabulous party clothes!  

Sidmouth College also held a mufti day in exchange for a donation and the Student Council held a bake sale which raised £100.60.  To raise some extra money the Sixth Form organised a Staff vs Students Dodgeball competition which raised over £50. In total the college has raised £700.  

At Whipton Barton staff set up a photo booth and invited families to come along and enjoy taking pictures.  Laughter filled the air as staff, parents, and children struck their best (and silliest!) poses in our fantastic booth! 

Red Nose Day supports local community organisations and brilliant change-makers here in the UK and across the globe.

Donations help fill the shelves of baby banks, community food centres, fund vital community-led services like health workers, local youth safe-spaces, and ensure safe passage for people escaping danger.

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

"It's truly inspiring to see students from across our schools uniting to support such a deserving cause. Red Nose Day provides a fantastic opportunity for our students to enjoy themselves, raise funds, and gain a deeper understanding of the importance of volunteering and giving back to the community."

The Ted Wragg Trust has been shortlisted for two national education awards. The trust which runs eighteen schools across Devon has been shortlisted for the SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) award at the MAT Excellence Awards, as well as the Best Practice in Inclusive Education Award at the Education Business Awards.

The MAT Excellence Awards give trusts across the UK the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of their schools, students and staff and the positive impact they have on their local community. They allow trusts to showcase their expertise and share their knowledge with peers. The awards ceremony will be held later this year in London.

The Education Business Awards also celebrate the outstanding achievements and commitment of schools and academies across the UK. Sponsored by Cornerstone and supported by the Department for Education, the awards have been recognising the achievements of state and independent schools across the country since 2009.

At the Ted Wragg Trust, staff are committed to helping children with SEND access a broad curriculum and receive the support they need to thrive. At the core of this is ensuring that all students are valued for the contribution they make and feel positive about themselves. All children are taught the skills they need to be emotionally literate, safe, connected and successful and staff access the highest quality continuous professional development to make this possible.

The Ted Wragg Trust have developed their own SEND strategy and have worked tirelessly to ensure that children’s needs are identified accurately and early. This led to the development of the trust’s speech and language team (SaLT) as staff recognised that unmet speech and language needs were impacting pupils and their learning experiences. The SaLT team now screen all Reception and Year 7 children and provide 1:1 and small group intervention.

This year the trust has also introduced their Emotional Literacy and Wellbeing Strategy. Social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) is the highest area of identified need within the trust with over 1,200 children having this identified as their primary area of need. They have also developed a strategy on mental health and wellbeing underscoring their belief in a whole-school approach to mental health. The strategy, which has been influenced by their family of schools and their local communities, aims to ensure every child is taught the skills they need to be emotionally literate, self-aware, and mentally well, helping to create a supportive, healthy learning environment across all schools.

Ted Wragg Trust schools include All Saints Academy Plymouth, Cranbrook Education Campus, Exwick Heights Primary, Honiton Community College, Isca Academy, Lipson Academy, Marine Academy Primary, Marine Academy Plymouth, Queen Elizabeth’s School, St James School, St Luke’s Church of England School, Sidmouth College, West Exe School, Exmouth Community College, Tor Bridge High and Whipton Barton.

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“We are hugely proud of our students, staff and families who work tirelessly together to make sure our SEND students have the best possible experience, and this shortlisting is testament to this collective ambition and dedication. We know that the SEND landscape is increasingly difficult, but as a trust we are committed to continuing to innovate and empower our schools to create supportive environments where every student can thrive.”

Exwick Heights Primary School have had an exciting and educational day at Bicton Park and Botanical Gardens this term, where they took part in a variety of engaging activities as part of their ‘Sow and Grow’ workshop. The children had a wonderful time learning about the fascinating world of plants, gardening, and nature.

With over 64 acres to explore spanning nearly 300 years of gardening history, Bicton Park is home to many rare and beautiful species, collected from around the world.

During the visit, pupils had the opportunity to plant their own sunflower seeds, gaining hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of the growing process. The children also embarked on a scenic train ride around the park, exploring the different plant houses and gaining insight into the diverse range of plants that call the gardens home. To round off the day, they showcased their artistic talents by creating their own botanical drawings, capturing the beauty of the plants they encountered.

The trip not only provided educational value but also gave the students a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature and develop a deeper appreciation for the environment. The school, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, aspires for pupils to achieve academic excellence and personal empowerment and this is underpinned by their values of kindness, curiosity, and determination.

Mrs Gemma Wills, Headteacher at Exwick Heights Primary School said:

“We’re so proud of how our Year 3 children embraced the day, showing both curiosity and respect for the environment. The trip to Bicton Park was a fantastic way to bring their learning to life, and the children’s enthusiasm and engagement were truly inspiring. A special thank you to all the parent volunteers who helped ensure the day ran so smoothly – we couldn’t have done it without you!”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“I am so pleased to see pupils gaining such valuable hands-on learning experiences. Visits like these bring education to life and help to inspire children to become lifelong learners. Everyone at the trust is grateful to Bicton Park and the parent volunteers for helping make this such a memorable and enriching experience for the pupils.”

Students at Lipson Co-operative Academy were treated to a captivating afternoon this term, as members of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra visited the school’s Muse space for a unique and enriching musical experience. 

The orchestra engaged Year 10 and 11 students with live performances that spanned a range of musical styles and eras, allowing students to gain first-hand insight into the diverse world of music.

The event also featured a collaborative composition activity, giving students the chance to contribute their own ideas and work alongside professional musicians. The inspiring afternoon was further enhanced by the presence of students from several other schools across Plymouth and Devon, who joined Lipson for this unforgettable event, organised by the Devon Music Education Hub.

The music department Lipson Co-operative Academy, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, is a dynamic and inclusive department, where students engage with music through the innovative Musical Futures approach, focusing on practical application and diverse music-making. 

Students have access to a wide range of ensembles, including choirs, big bands, and musical theatre, to develop their performance skills. For those looking to excel, the Music Academy provides opportunities to learn an instrument from scratch and practice daily. Additionally, individual and small group lessons with tutors are available on various instruments.

 Mr Martin Brook, Headteacher at Lipson Co-operative Academy said:

"It was an absolute pleasure to welcome the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra to our school. Our students were both educated and entertained by this incredible musical experience. It’s so important to expose young people to the arts in such an interactive way, and we are grateful to the Devon Music Education Hub for organising this wonderful event."

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

"This performance was a brilliant example of the power of collaboration and creativity in education. The opportunity for students to engage directly with professional musicians and explore music across genres is invaluable. We are incredibly proud of how our students embraced the experience, and it’s moments like these that truly enrich their learning."