Schools on the Marine Academy Plymouth Campus, Marine Academy Primary and Marine Academy Plymouth, are delighted to share the success of their Listening Week, which took place from the 17th to the 21st of March.  

This groundbreaking initiative from the two schools, which are part of the Ted Wragg Trust, was held across various venues in St Budeaux and aimed to build meaningful connections within the local community by amplifying the voices of its residents and tackling important issues that impact local families, pupils, and the wider community. 

Listening Week brought together a diverse group of local organisations, including Active Devon, Barnados, Plymouth City Council, and many others, to create an inclusive environment where residents could share their experiences, challenges, and aspirations.  

The week featured a series of workshops, support networks, and community activities, including crafting workshops, and youth-focused engagements, designed to spark dialogue and encourage stronger relationships. The week was designed to ensure that every voice in the St Budeaux community had the opportunity to be heard.  

 Key activities included: 

• Student Ambassadors from multiple schools in the local area sharing their experiences of school life. 

• Community-building workshops for adults and parents. 

• NHS research unit and Plymouth City Bus were out on St Budeaux Square talking to local residents. 

• Engaging events for older adults to promote social inclusion and well-being. 

As part of the initiative, feedback will be collected and analysed with support from Dr Rebecca Carter Dillon, Senior Research Fellow at the Faculty of Health at the University of Plymouth to identify trends, challenges, and opportunities within the St Budeaux community. The insights gathered from Listening Week will be used to develop a comprehensive roadmap aimed at improving services and supporting the community's evolving needs.  

Marine Academy Primary will host a making sense session of all the data collected on the 31st of March from 3:30-5pm and everyone is welcome to join to take a look at the data gathered. If you would like to be involved, please let us know by emailing listeningweek@marineacademy.org,uk. The hope is to then share the full findings at a community event after the Easter Break. 

Georgina Reid Headteacher at Marine Academy Primary said: 

"Listening Week has been a truly transformative experience for our Campus schools and the wider St Budeaux community. It has provided a valuable platform for our residents, families, and pupils to have their voices heard. By encouraging open dialogue, we can better understand the challenges we face and the aspirations we share. Together, we are building a stronger, more connected community across St Budeaux."  

Rachel Earley Community and Engagement Lead at Marine Academy Campus said:   

"Listening Week has been an incredible opportunity to truly connect with our community and understand the diverse experiences and needs of St Budeaux residents. By bringing together local organisations, schools, and individuals, we’ve created a space for meaningful conversations that will help shape the future of our area. It’s been inspiring to see the community come together, and I’m excited to continue working with everyone to ensure we’re addressing the challenges and opportunities that matter most to our families and students."