Youngsters from Cranbrook Education Campus (CEC) have been learning how to save lives this term.

Year 4 children took part in interactive workshops designed to build their confidence should they ever have to deal with a  cardiac emergency. In hands-on sessions run by the organisation Jay’s Aim, the pupils learned how to recognise a potential emergency, call for help, and start basic CPR.

Founded in memory of 28-year-old dad James (Jay) Osborne, Jay’s Aim works to reduce the rate of sudden cardiac deaths among young people across South West England. Every week in the UK, an estimated 12 people under the age of 35 lose their lives to undiagnosed heart conditions, often without any warning signs. According to the British Heart Foundation, these tragedies are preventable and Jay’s Aim is arming people with the skills they need to prevent them.

CEC is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, which invited the charity back for a session with staff across its schools as part of tEdFest 2025, the trust’s flagship ‘Festival of Learning’. It was one of over 250 workshops, keynotes and training sessions put on for the staff who work across the trust’s schools. And Year 8 students across the trust’s family of schools will now also be benefitting from the same training during the school year.

At Cranbrook Education Campus, they celebrate every success and encourage learners to live by their five PERKS of being #Crantastic values: Proud, Engaged, Ready, Kind and Safe. Pupils are rewarded for demonstrating these values both in lessons and around campus, helping them to thrive academically and personally. 

Hannah Wickens, Assistant Headteacher (Primary Behaviour & Attitudes) at Cranbrook Education Campus said:

“At Cranbrook Education Campus, we believe in preparing young people for real life. The sessions were brilliant, it was great to hear the pupils leave saying they felt ready to help if someone needed them.”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“Jay’s Aim does a wonderful job of preparing people with the knowledge they need to assist in an emergency, and we’re pleased that students across our family of schools will be benefiting from this training throughout the year. I know our staff found their lifesaving training just as rewarding and empowering as the children at Cranbrook.”

Lipson Co-operative Academy was thrilled to host an inspiring jazz improvisation workshop in partnership with internationally-renowned saxophonist Tommaso Starace.

Mr Starace has released a series of acclaimed albums demonstrating his cinematic, melodic, and innovative approach to jazz. Praised for his lyrical sensitivity and creative interpretation, he has performed and collaborated with jazz greats such as Dave Liebman, Kenny Wheeler, Billy Cobham and Dario Marianelli.

Students from Lipson and other local schools had the unique opportunity to learn directly from Tommaso, exploring the art of jazz improvisation and experiencing firsthand the creativity and excitement of live performance. The budding musicians tried out new techniques and expressed themselves through improvisation. Staff and students alike described the workshop as a memorable and uplifting experience.

At Lipson Co-operative Academy, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust the music curriculum is designed to be dynamic, inclusive, and hands-on. Students can also participate in a wide range of ensembles and performances and the music academy at the school offers intensive daily practice and instrument tuition. 

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

“It has been an absolute pleasure to welcome Tommaso and students from across the city for this workshop. The energy and talent in the room was remarkable, and it’s wonderful to see our students inspired in such a creative way.”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

"It’s brilliant to see our students engaging so enthusiastically with music as part of the schools’ ambitious music curriculum. Workshops like this, led by world-class musicians such as Tommaso Starace, provide unforgettable experiences that inspire a lifelong love of the arts."

Lipson Co-operative Academy proudly took centre stage at the Department for Education’s ‘RISE Achieving and Thriving Conference’, held at Sandy Park, Exeter last month, a day dedicated to raising attainment and ensuring success for every child across the South West.

The event opened with a vibrant performance from Lipson’s talented school choir and band, whose energy and musical skill set the tone for a day of inspiration and collaboration. Their performance showcased the strength of Lipson’s growing music programme and the confidence and dedication of its students.

The conference brought together secondary school leaders from across the region to hear from keynote speakers including Bridget Phillipson MP, the Secretary of State for Education. Attendees explored strategies to close the attainment gap and support disadvantaged students to thrive.

Lipson headteacher Martin Brook led a breakout workshop on enrichment, sharing how the school is bucking the national trend in outcomes for white working-class boys. His session highlighted the power of enrichment in raising aspirations and achievement.

Siobhan Meredith, executive director of education at the Ted Wragg Trust, facilitated a workshop on transition, offering practical strategies to support pupils from Year 6 into secondary school and beyond.

Other sessions included insights on literacy, parental engagement, and key stage transitions and the day concluded with reflections from Tim Coulson, chair of the RISE Board. The Department for Education’s RISE (Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence) programme is on a mission to break the link between a young person’s background and their future success. 

Backed by a £20 million investment from the DfE, RISE brings together expert advisers to deliver targeted support to schools in need, while also offering universal guidance to all schools across the region. Through bespoke interventions, peer-to-peer collaboration, and the sharing of best practice, RISE is helping schools overcome barriers and raise attainment for every child.

Mr Martin Brook, Headteacher at Lipson Co-operative Academy said: “Events like this are vital in bringing educators together to share what works. It was fantastic to see Lipson’s students open the day with such confidence and joy, a true reflection of the school’s commitment to enrichment and opportunity. We’re proud to be part of a community that’s working hard to close the attainment gap and ensure every child can achieve and thrive.”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said: “Watching Lipson’s students perform for the Secretary of State was a truly proud moment. Their music set the tone for a day focused on equity, aspiration, and opportunity, values we hold at the heart of the Ted Wragg Trust.”

A group of enthusiastic Year 10 and 11 food and nutrition students from All Saints Academy Plymouth (ASAP) have travelled to Queen’s College, Taunton this term to attend a ‘Chemistry of Cooking’ show led by Dr Josh Smalley, scientist and star of The Great British Bake Off (GBBO).

Dr Smalley is a passionate science communicator, presenter and baker, with a doctorate in chemical biology. A finalist of the 2023 series of The Great British Bake Off, Josh was renowned for his impressive showstopper bakes and steadfast attention to detail.

The interactive session brought science and creativity together as students explored the fascinating chemistry behind everyday baking. From experimenting with raising agents to learning the art of tempering chocolate, just in time for GBBO’s Chocolate Week, students were captivated by the mix of demonstration and discovery.

The group also had the chance to sample Dr Smalley’s creations, including a delicious chocolate and caramel Swiss roll and perfectly piped meringues. A special mention goes to Peter in Year 11, who showed outstanding confidence and school spirit by stepping up on stage for a one to one piping demonstration with Dr Smalley. 

At ASAP, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, the food and nutrition course equips students with essential life skills and a deep understanding of food science and healthy eating. From hands-on experiments to mini investigations, students learn how to make informed, sustainable choices about food and nutrition, preparing them to feed themselves and others affordably and healthily throughout life. 

Scott Simpson-Horne, Head Teacher at All Saints Academy said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for our students to see how science and food go hand in hand. Dr Smalley’s passion for both chemistry and baking was infectious, and our students came away inspired to experiment and challenge themselves in the kitchen.”

 Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said: “It’s wonderful to see our students inspired by this experience and excited to put what they learnt into practice. Opportunities like this show young people that what they study in the classroom has real-world relevance and can even lead to extraordinary careers.”

Exwick Heights Primary School has been awarded the Primary Science Quality Mark (PSQM), a prestigious national recognition of excellence in science teaching and leadership.

This award celebrates the school’s commitment to delivering high-quality science education and encouraging a love of learning through curiosity, investigation, and discovery. The awarding team were particularly impressed by the strength of the school’s curriculum design, the impact on teaching and learning, and the dedication shown by staff to continually improve science provision.

Led by the University of Hertfordshire, the PSQM is awarded following a rigorous year-long professional development process, which includes an initial audit, targeted action, and evidence-based reflection. 

At Exwick Heights, which is part of Ted Wragg Trust, the science curriculum aims 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 their learning. 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.

Gemma Wills, Headteacher at Exwick Heights Primary School said: “We are incredibly proud to receive the Primary Science Quality Mark. It reflects the hard work and passion of our staff and pupils, and our commitment to making science exciting, inclusive, and meaningful for every child.”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said: “This award is a testament to the incredible work happening at Exwick Heights and their delivery of a high-quality science curriculum that is empowering pupils to explore the world around them. I’m delighted to see the school’s commitment to excellence recognised nationally, it’s a proud moment for the whole Ted Wragg community.”

The music department at Honiton Community College (HCC) now has two new recording studio facilities thanks to ‘The Beehive’, an award winning community and entertainment centre in Honiton. 

The college and The Beehive have been exploring ways to work together to provide the young people of Honiton with the best creative and performing arts opportunities.

When Victoria Davis, Programme and Events Manager of the Beehive, heard that the integral recording system in the HCC music department was no longer working and required a mixing desk to make it function again, she jumped into action. The Beehive team then kindly offered to loan a mixing desk to school and even came along to install it.

Thanks to the work of David Turner, the Head of CreATE and Music Teacher at HCC and the Beehive team, the integral recording system is now back up and running and students can record music from any room in the music department.

HCC’s newly introduced student music ambassadors were present to welcome the new equipment, which also included a drum kit donated by The Beehive, meaning that there is now a drum kit in every music practice room for students to use.

At Honiton Community College, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, the music department has undergone a real revival in recent months including through the introduction of a GCSE music course and the launch of a new music curriculum this academic year. There are now a wide range of enrichment opportunities for students including a house band, a taiko drumming group, a singing group, a balalaika ensemble, a song writing group and a rock school.

The college has also opened the Honiton Music Centre this term which allows primary and secondary aged children in the Honiton community to learn an orchestral instrument for just £4 a week. This initiative has been supported by the Devon Music Education Hub, the Department of Education and Arts Council England. 

Caroline Brothwood, Headteacher at Honiton Community College said: “We are so grateful to the Beehive team for their generosity and encouragement, from the loan of the mixing desk and drum kit to their continued support of our students. Their help has been a huge part of the recent revival in music at Honiton Community College. The take-up of instrumental lessons has already more than doubled since January, and we look forward to building on this momentum by hopefully hosting college concerts at the Beehive in the future.”

Victoria Davis, Programme and Events Manager at The Beehive said: “At The Beehive, we’re passionate about supporting creativity and giving young people the chance to shine. When we heard the music department at HCC needed help, we were more than happy to step in with a mixing desk and a drum kit. It’s fantastic to see the students making full use of the new facilities and we’re really excited about the opportunities this partnership will bring in the future.”