A talented group of Year 10 students at Sidmouth College showcased their culinary skills in the first heat of the prestigious Rotary Club Young Chef Competition this month.  Entrants were tasked with planning, preparing, and presenting a two-course meal, all under the watchful eyes of Rotary Club members and two renowned local chefs who acted as judges.

The competition was fierce, but there was one standout performer: Nancy, who claimed 1st place with her outstanding dishes and will now progress to the next round of the competition. Lily secured a well-deserved 2nd place, and Harry earned 3rd place, impressing the judges with his creativity and presentation.

The overall winner of this national competition will receive a coveted prize of a two-day trip to Tuscany, including exclusive cookery classes where they will learn the secrets of authentic regional Italian cuisine.  Nancy now has the exciting opportunity to cook in the next round, and all participants received high praise for their exceptional efforts.

Sidmouth College, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, understands the importance of developing creative expression and practical skills in young people and this event also chimed with these aims.

The Area Director and the Executive Chef from the Victoria Hotel, who judged the competition have kindly passed on their feedback as follows:

The students demonstrated exceptional culinary skills, preparing pasta , freshly baked bread , perfectly cooked fish and delectable chocolate fondants. Each plate was thoughtfully presented , reflecting meticulous care and attention to detail. Their professionalism extended beyond cooking , they maintained clean and organized workstations and supported one another throughout the process. Selecting a top three was challenging as many participants were equally deserving of recognition.

Mrs Lisa Whitworth, Headteacher at Sidmouth College said:

“This competition was a great opportunity for our students to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to a real-world challenge.  I’m so proud of how they handled the pressure, and it’s clear that we have some budding chefs among us. A huge congratulations to all the students who took part, and we look forward to supporting Nancy as she advances to the next round!”

Moria Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“With Nancy now representing Sidmouth College in the next stage of the competition, the entire Ted Wragg Trust is cheering her on as she continues her culinary journey.  We also want to celebrate the hard work of every participant who brought their best to the kitchen, and are excited to see where their passion for cooking takes them in the future.”

  

    

Sidmouth College was delighted to host a special art workshop for local primary schools this term in collaboration with the Sidmouth School of Art.

Year 5 pupils from Sidbury and Sidmouth Primary Schools came along to the college to take part in the workshop which involved designing and sculpting self-portraits into clay tiles.  The pupils thoroughly enjoyed exploring their creative talents, as they worked to shape their unique self-portraits. 

Their tiles will join hundreds of others, including many from Sidmouth College students, to form a stunning public display in the town centre that will celebrate the artistic achievements of the local schools and their students.

The collaboration between Sidmouth College, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, local primary schools and the Sidmouth School of Art underscores the importance of fostering creativity and community spirit.  With the installation set to feature works from multiple schools, the project is sure to be a meaningful addition to the town's cultural landscape.

Mrs Lisa Whitworth, Headteacher at Sidmouth College said:

"It’s wonderful to host local primary pupils this term as they immersed themselves in this hands-on creative project.  The opportunity to contribute to a lasting public art installation is truly special and a fantastic way for young people to leave their mark on the town.  We're excited to see the finished installation and the pride it will bring to our community."

Moria Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

"I am so pleased that Sidmouth College is not only collaborating with the Sidmouth School of Art, but also local primary schools to provide this incredible experience to the young people of Sidmouth. Art is such a powerful way for children to share their voices, and I can’t wait for the installation to bring the whole community together."

    

    

Exwick Heights Primary School has just marked a major milestone with its first-ever foreign residential trip for Year 6 pupils. From the twinkling lights of the Eiffel Tower to the enchanting rides of Disneyland, the children have returned from a weekend in Paris filled with unforgettable moments and magical memories. 

The trip was designed to offer pupils an opportunity to experience a different country and culture as a way to celebrate the end of their primary school journey.  This exciting adventure not only broadened their horizons but also supported the school’s mission to build confidence and encourage personal growth by stepping outside their comfort zones.

The pupils, divided into groups named after beloved Disney characters, took on the best of Paris and Disneyland. From exploring the magical world of Disney with rides such as ‘Space Mountain’ and ‘Pirates of the Caribbean,’ to embracing the sights of Paris, including a cruise along the Seine and a visit to the iconic Champs-Élysées, it was a dream trip for all involved.

One of the most memorable moments was the pupils’ collective experience at Disneyland, where excitement and adrenaline were high throughout the day.  The exhilaration after ‘Space Mountain’ was unmatched!   The children’s excitement was contagious, and the sheer joy on their faces was heartwarming.  

The trip also saw every child being brave, despite the high climb, to reach the second viewing point of the Eiffel Tower—truly a high point of the trip.The fun didn’t stop with Disneyland—students and staff capped off their journey with an evening of games and a trip to the souvenir shop on the Champs-Élysées.  From Eiffel Tower magnets to French-themed trinkets, the children took home cherished memories and tokens of their magical adventure.

At Exwick Heights, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, they aim to cultivate a sense of adventure and personal growth and this trip will undoubtedly remain a treasured memory for both pupils and staff.

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

“It was amazing to see our Year 6 children embrace Paris with such enthusiasm and curiosity. The trip not only celebrated their achievements over the years, but it also encouraged them to face new challenges and grow in confidence. We look forward to creating more opportunities like this in the future.”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“At the Ted Wragg Trust, we are committed to providing enriching experiences that inspire young people to explore new horizons.  Exwick Heights Primary School’s first-ever foreign residential to Paris is a perfect example of how schools can help develop personal growth and confidence through adventure. This trip will clearly leave a lasting impact on the pupils, and we are proud to support them in every step of their journey towards becoming brave, curious, and capable adults."

    

  

  

Exwick Heights Primary School is thrilled to announce the successful receipt of a £15,000 STEM grant from Howmet Aerospace, aimed at enhancing their Early Years provision and inspiring a lifelong love for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) from the very start of children's educational journeys.

Thanks to this generous funding, the school has been able to purchase innovative resources, including programmable devices like Beebots (award winning programmable floor robots) to support early coding skills, alongside exciting science tools such as metal detectors, torches, and a darkened exploration area.  These new resources will play a vital role in nurturing essential skills like problem-solving, creativity, and logical reasoning, all of which are crucial in preparing children for a digital future.

A special thank you goes to Jack V’s dad (Year 4) for his invaluable support in bringing this project to life, and to Ms. Lloyd-Seetim for her hard work in putting together the successful proposal.  Staff at the school are excited to see these resources come to life in the classroom and look forward to the learning opportunities they will provide for pupils.

At Exwick Heights, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, the science curriculum is designed to give children an understanding of the world around them from the moment they join the school community.  Children are natural scientists and so the school has adopted a curriculum which ensures that scientific enquiry skills are embedded in each unit.  This helps children to ask and answer questions about the world around them and recognise how and why science plays an important part in our world. 

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

"We are incredibly grateful to Howmet Aerospace for their support in bringing this transformative STEM grant to Exwick Heights.  These resources will not only help our young learners develop crucial skills but will also ignite their passion for science and technology, setting them on a path toward a bright future in an increasingly digital world."

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

"STEM education is at the heart of developing critical thinking skills in children, and this brilliant grant will allow Exwick Heights to provide the tools and resources that will inspire and engage even the youngest learners.”

   

Students from Marine Academy Plymouth’s Year 10 and Year 11 catering classes are making waves in the kitchen, thanks to a generous delivery of rope-grown mussels from the Fish in Schools Hero programme.

The 8kg donation, part of a nationwide initiative, was made possible by Offshore Shell, packed by RTShellfish, and delivered by Dfds Group.  As one of 200 schools across the UK to receive this exciting donation, Marine Academy Plymouth students have been putting their culinary skills to the test by preparing and cooking Thai-style mussels. 

The experience is part of the #FishHeroes programme, which aims to give students the chance to prepare, cook, and enjoy fish before they leave school, helping them develop a lifelong appreciation for seafood.  The initiative, which is backed by the Fishmongers’ Company’s Fisheries Charitable Trust and managed by the Food Teachers Centre, ensures that food teachers across the UK have the confidence and training to introduce fish-based dishes into the curriculum. 

Hospitality and catering students at Marine Academy Plymouth, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, learn about a variety of topics including food safety, health and safety and how the sectors operate.

 Jennifer Brimming, Principal of Marine Academy Plymouth said:

“We’re incredibly grateful for the support from the Fish in Schools Hero programme.  Our students have gained invaluable hands-on experience in the kitchen, learning to prepare nutritious, sustainable meals.  I am sure that the programme will continue to inspire the next generation of chefs, food enthusiasts, and sustainability advocates, one fish dish at a time!”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Multi-Academy Trust said:

“As a school in Plymouth, an ocean city with a rich maritime history, it’s brilliant to see Marine Academy Plymouth taking part in the Fish in Schools Hero programme.  It’s great that students are connecting with the sustainable food sources that are so integral to our coastal community.”

    

Next week, schools across the Ted Wragg Trust, spanning Devon, will be marking Children’s Mental Health Week.  Organised by the children’s mental health charity Place2Be, the annual event raises awareness of the importance of mental