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  • Local Students Take Part in Football Boot Camp and Disco Fit Sessions for Charity

    Published 20/11/24

    Honiton Community College, Marine Academy Primary, Exwick Heights Primary School, Whipton Barton Federation and Sidmouth College all part of our Trust have been fundraising for Children in Need this week.

     At Marine Academy Primary (MAP), children have also been taking part in the ‘RunPudsey’ challenge, where they raise money by taking part in a variety of physical activities - those who raise £10 receive a shiny ‘RunPudsey’ medal. 

    Some members of Keyham Kolts Football Club visited the school to run an amazing football- style boot camp and Miss Vickers led a fun filled Disco Fit session.  The energy and enthusiasm around the school was truly inspiring, and the school raised over £5k for Children in Need.

    They also took part in a very special Children in Need ‘Gladiators’ live stream.  The Plymouth pupils got to watch Steel and their other favourite Gladiators take on their own school-game inspired challenges.  Pupils got to cheer along the Gladiators, have a go at some favourite Gladiator poses and vote for their favourite challenges.

    During the recent half term, Exwick Heights pupils were invited to take part in sponsored challenges of their choosing with top fundraisers winning a cuddly Pudsey bear.  The school community raised a whopping £1,026, over double its target amount.

    Whipton Barton Federation raised £445.03 after raising a bake sale and encouraging pupils to dress up for the day.

    At Honiton Community College, they held a non uniform day and encouraged students to come into school wearing something spotty.  Students were also encouraged to come in looking ‘spot-tacular’ at Sidmouth College.

    Thanks to donations, Children in Need are currently funding nearly 1,500 charities and children’s projects to the value of £91.5 million. In 2022/2023 they supported well over 400,000 children.

    For more information go to Home - BBC's Children in Need.

    Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

    “At the Ted Wragg Trust strengthening communities is one of our central missions and we put children at the heart of everything we do.  As such, I am so pleased that our schools have been fundraising for Children in Need. It's important that we work together to support children up and down the country in order to secure a brighter future for everyone.”

      

      

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  • Lipson Co-Operative Academy Take Part in STEMfest at Plymouth National Marine Aquarium

    Published 20/11/24

    Students and staff at Lipson Co-operative Academy, part of our Trust have had a brilliant day at the National Marine Aquarium as part of their STEMfest week.

    The STEMfest week was designed by the National Marine Aquarium for children in Years 3 to 9 and they provided a variety of activities to inspire and engage them, including analysing ecological surveys, doing scientific drawings and participating in virtual reality sessions.

    30 Year 8 students from Lipson Co-operative Academy went along to learn all about how scientists work in the marine environment and how their findings help to develop theories, such as natural selection.  They took a deep dive into the theory of evolution, learning things that Charles Darwin himself did not know.

    They also took part in a workshop using a dice-based game to help them better understand Darwin’s finch theory and covered concepts such as speciation and adaptation.

    Students were also posed a variety of questions to ponder during their time at the aquarium, including:

     How many different species are in the NMA's Great Barrier Reef exhibit?
    Why do sharks have different shaped teeth?
    What does it feel like to live in a rockpool?

    Each day ended with an interactive show designed to leave everyone excited to explore local habitats and take action to protect them.  An amazing interactive show was delivered to the students in front of the huge Eddystone tank, which filled in the gap between Darwin’s theory and the most up-to-date thinking on DNA –  providing 165 years of learning in 20 minutes!

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

    “STEMfest week at the National Marine Aquarium was absolutely brilliant.  It clearly ignited curiosity, interest and enjoyment in all the students that went along.  Seeing the relationship between empirical evidence and  theories helps students think critically and these important thinking skills can be applied in many areas of study.”

    Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

    “It’s great to hear that Lipson students took so much away from the STEMfest week at the aquarium and I know the whole community is so grateful to them for holding this brilliant event annually.  STEM professions are central to the economy and lots of the jobs of the future will be in those areas, getting young people interested in them in a fun way can only be a positive thing.”

      

      

      

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  • Tor Bridge High Welcomes Babcock International Group to Speak to Business Studies Students

    Published 20/11/24

    Tor Bridge High, part of our family of schools, welcomed representatives from the Babcock International Group to the school this month to meet with their Business Studies students as part of a round table event on careers.

    Babcock is a leading provider of critical, complex engineering services which support national defence, save lives and protect communities.  They are an international defence, aerospace and security company operating in the UK, Australasia, Canada, France and South Africa. 

    The Tor Bridge students got to meet with apprentices from a range of departments within the organisation who spoke with them about Babcock roles, application and recruitment processes, and interview techniques. 

    At Tor Bridge High staff believe that good quality careers education and guidance helps raise aspirations and student outcomes.  Careers guidance is designed to inspire students and help them navigate their way through the many possibilities which are available to them, and feel confident in their decisions about their future career paths.

    Tracy Stephenson, Headteacher at Tor Bridge High said:

    “I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who came along from Babcock to speak to our students. This careers round table was great preparation for when the Business Studies students complete their unit on recruitment and has given them a valuable insight into a wide range of different business opportunities.”

    Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

    “At the Ted Wragg Trust we believe that lives are transformed through learning and that schools should work closely with their local communities to achieve this.  It’s great to hear that staff from Babcock took the time to come and speak with Tor Bridge students about potential career paths.  As a significant employer in the South West, it’s so beneficial for Plymouth’s young people to hear directly from them.”

      

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  • Cranbrook Education Campus Introduces A ‘Paws-itive’ Change for Students! ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

    Published 18/11/24

    Cranbrook Education Campus, (CEC) part of our Trust has welcomed a new therapy dog this term.

    Her in-school training commenced with visits during the summer holidays to familiarise herself with the environment followed by some shorter sessions meeting staff and finally in the final week of the last half-term, 'Meet Aurora' sessions with each individual class. 

    Aurora, who is staff member Mrs Edingham's 4-year-old cockapoo, has officially started her role as a therapy dog in the primary phase of CEC.  Following her basic training, Aurora is currently enrolled in the PAWS Therapy Dog Training Programme and is making superb progress. 

    All pupils were highly engaged and listened beautifully to either a story or a poem along with Aurora.  They also asked lots of thoughtful questions about her role within the school. 

    This half term, Aurora will be starting small group interventions with some pupils.  These will include sessions for those with cynophobia, a fear of dogs, as well as some for pastoral and academic support reasons. 

     Krisha Gandhi, Head of Primary & Senior Deputy Head of Campus, at Cranbrook Education Campus said:

    "We are all delighted to welcome Aurora on to the team!  The presence of a therapy dog in school doesn’t just bring joy to pupils and staff—it helps to create a calming atmosphere.  Mrs Edingham was exceptionally proud that all pupils followed the four-step interaction plan, which outlines Aurora’s role and how to approach and pet her, with such diligence and kindness.” 

     Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

    “I am delighted that most Ted Wragg schools now have a therapy dog.  They offer more than comfort, they contribute to an atmosphere that means pupils feel safe, valued and understood.

    “Research has shown that a therapy dog in a primary school setting can bring a number of benefits for both pupils, families and staff.  They have the ability to boost mood, reduce stress and enhance focus, creating a happier, more supportive environment for learning!”

        

      

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  • West Exe School Hosts Aspire Conference ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

    Published 18/11/24

    West Exe School has hosted the annual Ted Wragg Trust Aspire Conference this month.  

    The conference brings together Year 10 and Year 11 students from secondary schools across the Ted Wragg Trust with around 100 young people attending this November’s event designed to inspire their aspirations for the future.  This was a remarkable number of attendees, especially as the event was held during half term.

    Students were invited to attend based on their academic promise, as the Aspire Conference is designed to help them expand their goals, explore new opportunities, and inspire them to aim high in their personal and academic journeys.

    The full-day event consisted of talks from inspirational speakers and workshops challenging the students with interactive tasks and challenges.  Workshops and speakers ranged from MED Theatre,  a developmental community theatre organisation based on Dartmoor who came along to offer drama workshops to a session from Law with Cartridges, a solicitors offering personal and business legal advice in Exeter, who came to speak to attendees about a career in law.  As well as maths challenges led by the prestigious Exeter Maths School and workshops on the value of philosophy and how to develop critical thinking skills from Pamela De Gregorio, a Philosophy and Religious Studies Lecturer at Exeter College.  

    Julie Fossey, Headteacher at West Exe School said:

    “It was an honour to host this year’s Aspire Conference at West Exe School.  It was so inspiring to see how much the students took away from the day and how excited they were to tackle the academic challenges our guests had set for them.”

    Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

    “At the Ted Wragg Trust we work hard to provide opportunities to young people that will inspire them to unleash their full potential.  Our annual Aspire Conference is just one of the ways we encourage students to aim high when planning their next steps and considering their future education and career choices. Thanks to West Exe for hosting a wonderful conference”

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  • Exwick Heights Primary School Donates 60 KG of Food to Exeter Foodbank

    Published 18/11/24

    Exwick Heights Primary School, part of our Trust, has been awarded a certificate from the Exeter Foodbank to thank them for donating 60 KG of food last month!

    The donations were collected by the school as part of their Harvest Festival celebrations, during which children sang songs and told the story of ‘Little Red Hen.’

    Exeter Foodbank volunteers collect donations from Collection Points all across the local area which they then weigh, sort and store.  They maintain a warehouse where donations are stored before being delivered to the centre for distribution. 

    The foodbank’s Voucher Coordinator works with over a hundred local agencies to make sure that donations get to the right people, when they need them.

    Exwick Heights staff and pupils were pleased to be able to have the opportunity to support the foodbank again, having established a close relationship with the organisation when pupils provided artwork to decorate the space earlier this year.

    The school promotes strong values and engages actively with the local community to create a supportive and inclusive atmosphere where every child can thrive.  They are holding an open morning on the 20th of November at 9.30am and places can be booked here.

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

    “Whether it’s a simple smile, a helping hand, or a thoughtful message, small acts of kindness can make a big difference in someone's day.  At Exwick Heights we are being really intentional about sharing kindness and organising donations to the Exeter Foodbank is just one example of this.”

    Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

    “Everyone at the trust is so proud that families at Exwick Heights have worked together to donate 60 KG of food to the Exeter Foodbank last month.  This is an incredible achievement and demonstrates what a wonderful and caring school community it is.”

        

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  • Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Stars Shine at Nursery Rhymes

    Published 18/11/24

    Marine Academy Primary (MAP), are celebrating World Nursery Rhyme Week. 

    World Nursery Rhyme Week is an annual event to encourage teachers and parents to use nursery rhymes to help children develop their language and literacy skills. As well as being fun, rhymes, such as Humpty Dumpty and Five Currant Buns, are excellent teaching tools and play an important role in early childhood development and education. 


    The children at MAP have had so much fun engaging in all things rhyme-related.  They've been busy printing stars and singing along to ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’, sailing boats in the water tray to act out ‘Row, Row, Row Your Boat’, and they even found an ‘Incy Wincy Spider’ hiding in the sandpit! 

    They also loved exploring the Old MacDonald farm tuff spot, where they had fun with animal figures and practised their best “E-I-E-I-O!”  The youngest learners in Turtle Class are loving every rhyme-filled moment!

    Georgina Reid Headteacher at Marine Academy Primary said:

    “Learning nursery rhymes is a fantastic way to help children boost their vocabulary and language development.  Rhymes also develop children’s literacy skills and help improve social, physical and emotional skills.

    “Our pupils have had great fun marking World Nursery Rhyme Week and I would like to thank all the children, parents and staff for embracing the week so positively.”

    Siobhan Meredith, Executive Director of Education at the Ted Wragg Multi-Academy Trust said:

    “It is really lovely that Marine Academy Primary’s youngest learners in their 2 year old Nursery have been celebrating World Nursery Rhyme Week. The activities they have been doing are the foundation on which their future literacy skills will be built and they also help to fuel the imaginative play based learning that helps them develop a love for education.”

        

        

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  • Isca Academy Houses Choose To Support Devon Charities This Year

    Published 18/11/24

    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.”

      

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  • Exeter Students Hear From Devon Diversity Education about Windrush Generation

    Published 18/11/24

    West Exe School, part of our Trust have welcomed representatives from Devon Diversity Education (DDE) to the school this month as part of their Black History month celebrations.  This year’s theme, ‘Reclaiming Narratives’, is a powerful call to recognise and correct the stories of Black history and culture.

    The DDE group came to teach students about the local Devon Windrush Group and enrich their knowledge and presentation skills.  The Devon Windrush Group aims to foster connections between Caribbean people in the South West.

    One of the guest speakers was Dave Samuels whose father was the first Black bus driver in Bristol and took part in the Bristol Bus Boycott.  The Bristol Bus Boycott of 1963 arose from the refusal of the Bristol Omnibus Company to employ black or Asian bus crews in the city of Bristol.  Some students also raised their own links to Windrush and shared their own stories with their classmates later in the week.   

    The ‘Windrush’ generation are those who arrived in the UK from Caribbean countries between 1948 and 1973.  The name ‘Windrush’ derives from the ‘HMT Empire Windrush’ ship which brought one of the first large groups of Caribbean people to the UK.  The Windrush scandal began to surface in 2017 after it emerged that hundreds of Commonwealth citizens, many of whom were from the ‘Windrush’ generation, had been wrongly detained, deported and denied legal rights. 

    Later in the month the school also held an amazing art workshop in their library run by B-HUGs which is led by academics at the University of Exeter and local artist Jedidah Chick with a focus on lived experiences.  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.

    The workshop was part of an ongoing B-HUGs project founded by Dr. Safi Darden and Dr, Melody Kuziwa Jombe supported by the University of Exeter to offer opportunities to engage with black educators and enable improved representation and aspiration raising.  It is wider Race Equality work being undertaken at the University which aims to tackle the fact that historically, Black students have faced numerous barriers in higher education, from systemic racism and discrimination to a lack of representation among faculty and staff. 

    The visibility of Black role models in academic settings can help counteract these challenges by demonstrating the possibilities of academic and professional success. 

    Julie Fossey, Headteacher at West Exe School said:

    “I am so grateful for the work our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Co-ordinator Rosie Salter has done in arranging these important visits and workshops this Black History Month.  It’s vital that schools work to reclaim and amplify narratives that have been overlooked.  I especially want to thank the team at Devon Diversity and Jedidah Chick for being so generous with their time and their stories, and for connecting our students to really important black narratives and events. We look forward to continuing their great work here in school, to educate all young people about EDI but also to celebrate the rich diversity of our wonderful student body.

    “At West Exe School we are committed to providing our students with an understanding of history, which honours the rich and diverse contributions of Black people.  Black History Month is about more than reflecting on the past, it’s about inspiring young people to create an inclusive future.”

     

      

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  • Sidmouth College Welcome Local MP

    Published 18/11/24

    Sidmouth College, part of our family of schools, welcomed Richard Foord, MP for the Honiton and Sidmouth constituency, for a visit this month.

    Mr Foord attended one of the meetings of the Sidmouth College Student Leadership Team. The students asked him an array of interesting and probing questions, the topics included proposed changes to Inheritance Tax, trail hunting, potholes and education funding in Devon.  Those in attendance also took the chance to convey their support for the proposed cycle path between Sidbury and Sidford.

    The Sidmouth College Student Leadership Team is a group of students elected to act as the official voice of all students.  Its members discuss and decide on issues that matter to students and are of wider benefit to the college as a whole.

    Before being elected as an MP in 2022, Richard Foord worked for the University of Exeter and the University of Oxford.  He has spoken in the House of Commons about the unique challenges faced by schools in more rural areas and how large catchment areas can mean that students have to travel long distances to get to school. 

    Mrs Lisa Whitworth, Headteacher at Sidmouth College said:

    “Our students were glowing ambassadors for Student Leadership here at Sidmouth College during Mr Foord’s visit and we are immensely proud of them.  We look forward to welcoming him back in the near future to continue our discussions around democracy and change at both a local and national level.”

    Moria Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

    “I want to say thank you to Mr Foord for taking the time to meet with some of our Sidmouth students.  Listening to the views of young people is important for politicians and all of those working in education.  Understanding what they are concerned about and what they support is vital if we are to provide them with schools that they love coming to.”

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  • Queen Elizabeth’s School Aiming for Eco-schools Green Flag

    Published 18/11/24

    Queen Elizabeth’s School, (QE) part of our Trust, has held its first official Eco Club meeting this term.

    The club has been set up by Science teachers Miss Mercer and Miss Owen, who both specialise in biology.  They are both passionate about the environment and sustainability and want to use the club to share knowledge, inspire a love of the natural world, and empower pupils with the skills and understanding on how to tackle important issues such as climate change.  

    Pupils from all different year groups have signed up to be part of the club and planning is now underway for  projects for the club members to run.

    Talks from external speakers about the natural world, biodiversity and possibly even future careers and being organised for later in the academic year.  Miss Mercer and Miss Owen are also hoping to take the group to the Eden project, where they can not only learn more about the natural world but also create links with the curriculum in both Geography and Biology. 

    The Eco Club’s main focus this year will be taking part in the Eco-schools programme. Eco-schools is a charity that aims to empower pupils to make a difference in their school and local communities.  

    An environmental review of our school site has already been conducted to determine what topics the club should focus on and once one has been chosen the team will come up with projects that they will run to improve the selected focus area which might be waste, energy or biodiversity.  

    At the end of the school year QE can then apply for the Eco-schools Green Flag, applying for the accreditation is the perfect way to acknowledge, reward and celebrate the ecological achievements of young people.

    Ms Paula Smith, Headteacher at Queen Elizabeth’s School said:

    “I want to say a big thank you to Miss Mercer and Miss Owen for setting up QE’s new Eco Club.  They have done a brilliant job and I know they are now keen for pupils to now take the lead when it comes to running the eco projects they are planning.  It’s great that environmentally minded pupils now have a chance to make a real difference to the ecological footprint of the school.”

    Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

    “Everyone at the Ted Wragg Trust wishes the new Eco Club members at QE all the best regarding their aim of securing an Eco-schools Green Flag.  At the trust one of our central missions is to make the world a better place and by embarking on this venture this group of pupils are doing exactly that.”

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  • All Saints Academy Plymouth GreenPower Racing Team Competes in International Finals at Goodwood Motor Circuit

    Published 21/10/24

    This weekend, All Saints Academy Plymouth's GreenPower Racing Team proudly represented their school at the prestigious International GreenPower Finals held at the iconic Goodwood Motor Circuit. GreenPower is a global initiative that challenges school children to design, build, and race electric single-seat race cars. After securing a podium finish in their last race, the All Saints team, consisting of 12 students aged 11 to 15, qualified for the finals, placing them in the top 15% of schools nationwide.

    Racing at the historic Goodwood circuit was an awe-inspiring experience for the young team. Known for its rich motorsport history, the venue provided a thrilling backdrop as 130 teams from across the UK and abroad gathered to make final adjustments to their GreenPower cars. The All Saints team arrived well-prepared after a restful stay at a local bunkhouse, equipped with knowledge and strategies to handle the smooth and fast turns of the famous track.

    The finals featured two intense 90-minute races, requiring teams to execute driver changes twice throughout each race. All the students had the opportunity to both drive and support as part of the pit crew, showcasing teamwork and collaboration. The event gave the students a chance to observe and evaluate the best GreenPower cars on display, gaining valuable insights into design innovations and performance enhancements.

    The objective of the competition is to cover as much distance as possible, with a focus on developing efficient, lightweight, and aerodynamic cars. The All Saints team demonstrated exceptional composure under pressure, executing swift pit lane driver changes and addressing technical issues with impressive problem-solving skills. Their teamwork and determination, honed over a season of races, were evident throughout the event.

    Paige, aged 12, shared her excitement: "It was so exhilarating driving on such a smooth and famous track. Our cars managed to stay fast until the very end, and I loved overtaking so many other talented teams. I’m excited to be part of the team next year, and I can’t wait to see how we can make the cars even faster."

    In their first appearance at the international finals, the All Saints team achieved an impressive 27th place out of 49 in their class. Energized by the experience, they returned from the weekend with a host of ideas for further engineering development.

    As the new season begins, a freshly selected team is ready to take on the challenge, following a rigorous application process. The academy extends its gratitude to Plymouth City Bus for their continued support, making these incredible opportunities possible for the students.

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