Isca Academy in Exeter, part of the Ted Wragg Trust family of schools, have selected their house charities for this academic year.

Each year the students get to vote on what charities they want to fundraise for and this year all the selections are local. Inviting students to make this choice gives them ownership and it provides a meaning and a relevance to the students' fundraising efforts as part of our local community. Apollo House will be fundraising for Dream-A-Way, the charity has been making a difference to Devon’s children and adults with disabilities since 1993.  They provide grants towards holidays and arrange fun days out so their guests can enjoy a much needed break.

Maia House are supporting the Devon Wildlife Trust. For 60 years, they have been at the forefront of protecting wildlife and the wild places that make Devon so special.  They are the only Devon focused charity that exists to protect all wildlife in Devon, on land and at sea.

Minerva House has chosen Friends of the Oncology and Radiotherapy Centre, Exeter (FORCE.)  FORCE became a charity in 1987 and has grown steadily ever since.  In 2004 they opened a purpose-built Cancer Support and Information Centre, thanks to more than £900,000 raised by local people and the tireless work of the FORCE team.

Saturn House picked Devon Mind, an independent mental health charity affiliated with the national Mind association.  They provide advice, information, and support to empower anyone living in Devon who may be experiencing a mental health problem.  They also campaign to improve local support services, raise awareness, and promote the understanding of mental health across Devon.

The school kicked off their fundraising drive with a bake sale this week which raised in over £200!

They also held their first non-uniform day of the term this month, asking students to donate an item for a Christmas hamper instead of money.  All the donations went to Children and Family Health Devon to support their Christmas Hamper Project.  The project brings warmth and support to young people and care leavers under Devon and Torbay Social Care; providing essential items and heartfelt gifts that make a real difference.

Mrs Vicki Joyce, Headteacher at Isca Academy said:

“It’s great to involve the students in selecting their house charities every year and it’s so lovely that we will be fundraising for such vital local causes.  We will soon be appointing student leaders as Charity Representatives who will help further drive forward our fundraising efforts.  I know the whole school community is looking forward to raising money for these important charities and it’s no bad thing that the houses start to get competitive over who can raise the most!” David Alder, Devon Wildlife Trust said: “We are thrilled and extremely grateful that Maia House has chosen Devon Wildlife Trust as its house charity.  It is so good to see young people taking action for nature and we hope that their connection with nature continues.”