St James School is celebrating a fantastic achievement this term as their Year 7 and 8 girls’ football team were crowned winners of the Catherine Fraser Memorial Tournament, beating 17 other teams from 12 schools to claim the top spot.

The annual tournament brought together over 100 players in a celebration of girls’ football, talent, and teamwork. Two St James teams competed in the competition, with one progressing all the way to the final and securing a thrilling 2–1 win over Exmouth in a nail-biting match.

The team was led by Miss Cornwell and Miss Zuurmond, and staff praised the players for their exceptional teamwork, determination, and sportsmanship throughout the day. The whole community at St James School, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, is celebrating the victory, which marks another high point in St James’ commitment to developing sport and leadership for all students.

The Catherine Fraser Memorial Tournament continues to be a key date in the local sporting calendar, encouraging greater participation and visibility in girls’ football. Organised by Exeter City Community Trust, the annual tournament serves as a testament to Catherine’s legacy. Catherine worked at the Exeter City Community Trust following her career as a journalist at The Times in London and the Express & Echo locally.

Presentations were made to the winners and runners-up by Catherine’s mother, Glenda Riley, and daughter, Dulcie Fraser. Glenda generously donated funds to establish the annual tournament after Catherine passed away in 2015 from breast cancer.

Emily Harper, Headteacher at St James School said:

“We are incredibly proud of the girls, not just for winning, but for the way they represented St James with confidence, humility and joy. Opportunities like this are so important in showing what girls in sport can achieve. A huge thank you to our staff for their fantastic support.”

Moira Marder, Chief Executive Officer of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

 “This is a brilliant example of what school sport should be, fun, inclusive, and empowering. Huge congratulations to St James for not only winning but setting a standard for how young people can shine both on and off the pitch.”

Honiton Community College (HCC) is proud to announce a new partnership with Exeter Chiefs, who are visiting the school every Wednesday this term as part of the Maddy’s Mark initiative, an inspiring programme dedicated to improving girls’ mental well-being through sport.

The initiative offers weekly support sessions focused on building resilience, confidence, and camaraderie among female students. As part of the programme, the Chiefs are also running a Girls’ Rugby Club every Wednesday lunchtime, providing a fun, active, and inclusive environment where learners can build friendships and grow their self-belief.

Maddy’s Mark was established in memory of Maddy Lawrence, who embodied positivity and strength both on and off the rugby pitch. Her legacy lives on through this powerful project, aimed at empowering young women through sport and mental health support. 

At Honiton Community College, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, they know that Physical Education is vital in maintaining students' health, fitness and well-being. Sport and PE are used to improve mental health and well-being for all students and the purpose of the PE curriculum and enrichment programme is to provide opportunity for high-quality teaching and learning; improving students' knowledge and ensuring lifelong participation and enjoyment in sport, physical activity and fitness. 

Caroline Brothwood, Headteacher at Honiton Community College said:

"We are thrilled to welcome Exeter Chiefs and the Maddy’s Mark initiative into our school community. This programme is already making a real difference to our girls, boosting confidence, creating connections, and reminding them of the strength they carry within themselves."

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

"At the heart of the Ted Wragg Trust is the belief that education should empower every young person to thrive, not just academically, but emotionally and socially. Honiton Community College’s work with Maddy’s Mark is a brilliant example of how sport and community partnerships can help students flourish."

Twelve students from Exmouth Community College  are celebrating success after completing a six-week sailing course as part of the school’s popular enrichment programme. 

The club, which runs during the first half of the Autumn term and again in the Summer, gives students the chance to learn practical sailing skills while working towards nationally recognised qualifications.

On the final evening of the course, students were awarded Level 1, Level 2, or even Level 4 sailing qualifications, a testament to their hard work, dedication, and teamwork on the water.

The enrichment club is led by ECC staff members Mr Greaves and Mrs Berry, whose commitment to outdoor learning and life skills development continues to expand students’ horizons beyond the classroom.

At Exmouth Community College, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, they offer a vibrant and diverse enrichment programme designed to complement academic learning and encourage personal growth. Students can engage in a wide array of activities, including science clubs, drama, music ensembles, creative writing, and board games. The school also provides opportunities for outdoor pursuits like the Duke of Edinburgh Award and Ten Tors expeditions. 

Tom Inman, Headteacher at Exmouth Community College said: 

“Sailing is about much more than just learning to steer a boat, it teaches confidence, resilience, and problem-solving. We’re incredibly proud of what our students have achieved over the past six weeks.”

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

“This is a brilliant example of how enrichment opportunities can transform students experience of education. These sailing qualifications are valuable achievements offering the students an opportunity to enjoy the water confidently and safely, and I’m sure they have made life-long memories during the course. Congratulations to all those who have taken part.”

As part of Dementia Action Week Sidmouth College was pleased to welcome special guests from Malden House Care Home for an engaging and heartwarming visit that celebrated community connection and intergenerational learning.

Jo, Colin, Gabby, and Justyna, residents and staff from Malden House, were given a guided tour of the college by students Shanel and Tilda, who showcased key areas of student life and learning. 

Highlights of the visit included a lively trombone lesson in the music department and hands-on demonstrations in the science labs, offering the visitors a true insight into the vibrant energy of the school.

The visit was part of Sidmouth College’s ongoing commitment to building meaningful community partnerships and increasing awareness and understanding around dementia, especially among younger generations.

The visit was supported by Tabitha Donovan of Malden House, who helped coordinate the experience. Both students and staff were deeply moved by the opportunity to share their learning environment with the visitors.

Sidmouth College, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, looks forward to building on this partnership and continuing to champion understanding and compassion both inside and outside the classroom.

Mrs Lisa Whitworth, Headteacher at Sidmouth College said:

“It was a privilege to host our guests from Malden House and to see our students engage so warmly and respectfully. Dementia Action Week reminds us how important it is to build empathy, respect, and connection in our school community.”

Moria Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“This visit demonstrates the power of education to bring people together across generations. Everyone at the trust is so proud of Sidmouth College for creating opportunities that make a real difference in our communities.”

Students at St James School have taken part in a powerful and creative initiative in partnership with the University of Exeter’s B-HUGS project. The students had the unique opportunity to work with local artist Jedidah Chick during a special workshop aimed at encouraging cultural awareness, artistic expression, and a sense of belonging.

B-HUGs (Belonging, History, Understanding, Growth, Solidarity) is a collaborative project for social change run by a collective of Black scholars at the University of Exeter who are partnering with local schools to create spaces of belonging for Black youth in the South West. As part of this work, they offer opportunities for secondary school pupils to engage in various activities with Black educators and university students to enable improved representation in the local education landscape.

This workshop with local artist Jedidah Chick invited selected students to reflect on their personal experiences and cultural backgrounds in relation to Black history. It focused on empowering Black history and invited students to contribute art and writing to a collaborative piece of art that will be exhibited this summer.

The collaborative artwork created during the workshop is set to be unveiled later this summer, standing as a testament to the power of youth voice and cultural expression in education.

Jedidah Chick is a Black British artist who was born in Zimbabwe and is based in Devon. Her original paintings fuse African modern art and the lush landscapes and coastal scenes of the local Devon and Cornwall countryside.

She grew up in post-colonial Zimbabwe at a time when the history of African culture was not celebrated or accurately taught in schools. Jedidah’s knowledge of her African heritage, especially the untold stories of her female ancestors, has become the driving force behind her art. Through her paintings she celebrates the African female figure, her struggle, and her history, often focusing on Afro hair and the message of resilience and self empowerment.

St James School, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, is proud of its diverse community, which it actively celebrates through dedicated diversity groups and whole-school events such as assemblies. The school embraces difference and recognises the value it brings to enriching the entire school environment.

Emily Harper, Headteacher at St James School said:

“This was a truly inspiring experience for our students. Working with Jedidah Chick and the B-HUGS team allowed them to see their own stories reflected in art and education. We are incredibly proud to support initiatives that centre representation, creativity, and a deeper understanding of our shared histories.”

Dr Safi Darden, Senior Lecturer at the University of Exeter said:

"Running this workshop was without a doubt the highlight of our term. This was due to the level of engagement, enthusiasm and creative expression that we saw in the young people that we had the opportunity to work with on those two afternoons. They brought so much to the workshop through their stories, their excitement and all of the art that they produced. We could see this also in the inspiration that they gave the artist that was working with them through their conversations, the questions they posed and the things that they were interested in seeing represented. We're waiting with excited anticipation to see what the final piece is going to look like and look forward to returning to the school for the unveiling."

Cranbrook Education Campus, (CEC) is excited to announce the launch of a new environmental project aimed at enhancing the developing woodland area at Elbury Farm. 

This term, the school’s primary environmental group took their first steps towards bringing nature closer to their hearts with an inspiring session of creativity, team-building, and outdoor exploration.

The children began the project by sketching wildlife images, which will be carved into tree trunks throughout the woodland, creating a lasting connection between the pupils and the environment. 

In addition to this artistic endeavour, the pupils participated in team-building activities, helping to strengthen friendships and collaboration among the group. The outdoor classroom provided the perfect backdrop for these activities, giving the children the opportunity to connect with nature while enjoying some playful exploration.

This environmental initiative is part of a broader effort by Cranbrook Education Campus, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, to instil a sense of environmental stewardship in their pupils, giving them hands-on experiences that will help them develop an understanding of sustainability and the importance of preserving natural spaces.

Hannah Wickens, Associate Senior Leader for Personal Development and Every Child Succeeds at Cranbrook Education Campus said:

“The Elbury Farm project has been a shining example of learning with purpose—where students have been given the opportunity to engage in meaningful activities like tree planting, and connect through creative experiences, thanks to the inspiring education work led by the National Trust team. It’s a project rooted in growth, community, and imagination. Both students and parents are excited about the future of Elbury Farm—a place quite literally planted and inspired by the young people themselves.”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“We are proud to see such a strong commitment to environmental education at Cranbrook Education Campus. This project is a great example of how our schools are integrating environmental awareness into everyday learning. By providing young people with the opportunity to actively engage with nature, they are not only developing practical skills but also nurturing a lifelong respect for the world around them.”