Honiton Community College was proud to welcome the Devon Cricket Foundation this term, as part of their Devon Young Leaders Programme, to deliver a day of inclusive leadership training for students in Years 8 and 9.

The programme provided a dynamic opportunity for girls to explore leadership through the lens of sport, developing their communication, inclusion and game management skills. The day concluded with an exciting announcement: the newly trained leaders will go on to support a Honiton Learning Community Primary striking and fielding event. 

The initiative is designed to empower girls to take the lead in cricket sessions and games for younger children, helping them build confidence, teamwork and leadership experience in a safe, supportive environment.

"Providing the girls with safe and supportive environments where they can take risks and lead groups is essential for their development as leaders," explained Ann-Marie, who coordinates the Secondary School Girls’ Leadership Programme. "Social and peer pressure often prevents girls from taking the step forward to lead."

Staff at Honiton Community College, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, believe physical education plays a vital role in supporting every student’s health, fitness, and overall well-being. Their inclusive PE curriculum is designed around our mission of “Success for All”, offering a wide range of opportunities for students of all abilities. 

High-quality teaching and enriching experiences are at the heart of everything they do, promoting not just physical fitness, but positive mental health and a love of movement for every learner.

Caroline Brothwood, Headteacher at Honiton Community College said:

"We are incredibly proud of how these students embraced the challenge and stepped up as young leaders. Initiatives like this build lasting confidence and show our students that they have the power to lead, inspire and support others.”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

"The Devon Young Leaders Programme offers a fantastic opportunity for our students and supports the values we champion across the Ted Wragg Trust: ambition, collaboration and selflessness. It’s wonderful to see our students leading the way with such energy and commitment.”

Students from Honiton Community College had an inspiring opportunity to explore some of life’s biggest questions during a recent Discovery Day hosted by the Theology, Philosophy, and Ethics Department at the University of Exeter.

The visit gave students a valuable taste of university life while encouraging them to think deeply about thought-provoking topics led by expert academics. Sessions included powerful discussions on themes such as "Can God act in the world that science describes?", "Human Rights and Censorship", "The Epistemology of Personhood", and "When Should the Machine Decide?" – Normative Ethics and AI."

The day not only enriched students’ understanding of philosophical and ethical debates but also offered a glimpse into academic-style learning, helping them build confidence and broaden their aspirations for higher education.

At Honiton Community College, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, GCSE Religious Studies students study how religion, philosophy, and ethics shape the world around us. Through exploring religious texts, current events, and big ideas, students build valuable skills such as critical thinking, analysis, and respectful debate. The course encourages them to reflect on their own values and identity, preparing them not just for further study, but for positive, informed participation in society.

Caroline Brothwood, Headteacher at Honiton Community College said:

“This was a truly enriching experience for our students, one that challenged them to think critically, engage with complex ideas, and consider their place in a rapidly changing world. I’m incredibly grateful to the University of Exeter for providing such a warm welcome and an inspiring day. Opportunities like these are vital in helping young people see the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“At the Ted Wragg Trust, we believe in nurturing curious, courageous learners who are ready to shape the future. It’s fantastic to see students from Honiton Community College engaging with such challenging and meaningful topics. Opportunities like this, which stretch thinking and raise aspirations, are exactly what education should be about. We’re proud of our partnership with the University of Exeter and the enriching experiences it provides for our young people.”

Sophia, a standout athlete from West Exe School, has made waves on the track and field stage this summer, winning double gold at both the Devon Schools Athletics Championships and the Southwest Schools Championships.

Sophia took first place in both the Triple Jump and Long Jump at the Devon event, setting a new personal best of 5.58 metres in Long Jump. Her success continued as she went on to claim gold again in both events at the Southwest Schools Championships.

Sophia's incredible performance has now earned her a place representing Devon at the National Finals, taking place at the prestigious English Schools' Athletics Championships in Birmingham from 10th–12th July.

At West Exe School, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, their offer is built on the values of Community, Opportunity, and Success. Every student is guaranteed access to a rich programme of experiences that support their personal growth. These opportunities are carefully planned to develop key attributes such as curiosity, kindness, ambition, resilience, adaptability, and pride. 

Julie Fossey, Headteacher at West Exe School said:

“We are all incredibly proud of Sophia, not just for her medals, but for the determination and focus she has shown throughout her training and competitions. She embodies the commitment and resilience we value so highly at our school.”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

 “Sophia’s achievement is a brilliant example of what our students can accomplish with the right support and ambition. Her success will inspire others across our trust to aim high and pursue their passions with confidence.”

This term, pupils from Marine Academy Primary had the unique opportunity to step into the heart of local democracy, as representatives from the Academy Parliament visited the Council Chambers and met with the Lord Mayor.

During the visit, the pupils asked thoughtful and insightful questions, demonstrating a clear curiosity about civic leadership and the role the Lord Mayor plays in shaping the community. The experience gave them valuable insight into how local government works and the responsibilities of civic leaders.

Staff praised the students for representing the school with confidence, respect and maturity, proudly living out the school’s values and acting as true ambassadors of their academy.The school, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, is committed to developing pupil leadership, civic engagement, and real-world learning beyond the classroom.

Georgina Reid Headteacher at Marine Academy Primary said:

 "We are incredibly proud of our Academy Parliament representatives. Their respectful conduct, intelligent questions, and enthusiasm to learn were a credit to themselves and to our school. Opportunities like this show our pupils that they have a voice and a role to play in shaping the future of their communities."

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

"It’s wonderful to see our young leaders engaging so passionately with local democracy. At the Ted Wragg Trust, we believe in empowering pupils to be active citizens, and experiences like this show them that their voices matter. I’m incredibly proud of the Marine Academy Primary team for nurturing such confident and thoughtful ambassadors of the future."

Ninety students from across the Ted Wragg Trust family of schools gathered at the Exeter Future Skills Centre last week for their annual Innovation Competition, designed to unleash creativity and bold thinking for a better, more sustainable world.

Run in partnership with Exeter College and the Green Skills Advisory Panel, the event challenged young people to tackle some of society’s most pressing problems and to develop their own powerful solutions.

Students worked for several months in teams to either design the “Town of the Future” or create a compelling Climate Action Plan for their school, combining real-world thinking and imagination.

In a dynamic showcase of creativity and vision, students presented their ideas including AI-driven crop monitoring, reimagined kinetic walking and cycle paths, inspiring nature reserves, and tidal power solutions to help the planet.

Other imaginative concepts included solar energy expansion, sensor-controlled street lamps, and moss-covered breeze blocks designed to clean the air.

Judges from the world of business and local government were wowed by the ideas, depth of thought, and confidence of the student teams during live presentations and Q&A sessions.

The Primary School Winner was Exwick Heights Primary School for their incredible vision for a town of the future with innovations including kinetic energy pathways, wind farms and a repair centre. Judges were impressed with how they had thought about the town as a whole and the lives people living there would lead and said: “This team gave a very comprehensive town vision with a strong presentation. Their moss-covered breeze block was brilliant.”

The Secondary School Winner was Tor Bridge High for their innovative ideas to bring about climate action at their school immediately and in the long term. They shared how they had conducted detailed audits across four key areas of; energy consumption, efficiency and reuse; use, recycle and repurpose; upgrading the Science Garden; and rewilding the pond with a plastic bottle greenhouse and bug hotels.

Judges praised the team for: “A clear focus on four areas, strong stakeholder engagement, excellent recycling targets, and realistic, identifiable actions.”

All Saints Academy in Plymouth were highly commended winning the Teamwork Award whilst Whipton Barton Federation won the Presentation Award.

As well as presenting their projects, students rotated through a LEGO Serious Play Zone run by Make Happy, where they used building principles to create sustainable towns, and a Minecraft Education experience, constructing digital green schools and cities using Minecraft Education’s Green Building Challenge.

The judging panel included:

• Jamie Brookes – Director of Green Funding Solutions, E.ON
• David Lewis – Programme Manager, South West Net Zero Hub
• Natalia Kasitz – Apprenticeship and Social Value Manager, Progressive
• Jackie Brown – Operations Support Manager, E.ON
• Joel Smith – Social Value Manager, Willmott Dixon
• Paul Osborne – Green Infrastructure Project Manager, East Devon District Council
• James Rayner – Project Manager, EX2 Group

Jackie Brown, Operations Support Manager at E.ON added: “The teamwork, creativity, and passion were outstanding. I’m especially inspired by the water-bottle greenhouse—I’m going to try that at home!”

Paul Osborne, Green Infrastructure Project Manager at East Devon District Council said: “The sheer creative energy behind these projects was incredible.”

The Innovation Competition is just one of several Trust-wide initiatives, as part of their commitment to transforming lives and strengthening communities, designed to connect students and deliver opportunities outside the classroom to bring learning to life.

Tim Rutherford, Deputy CEO at the Ted Wragg Trust, said: “Every day in our schools, I am uplifted by the incredible work of our brilliant students. This year’s Innovation Competition showcased children from a range of ages, all working together for many months to bring their ideas to life. It was inspiring to see them engage so thoughtfully, presenting innovative ideas backed by deep research and impressive collaboration.

“As a Trust made up of 18 schools, all united by our values of ambition, selflessness, and collaboration, moments like these are truly special. It’s a privilege to come together as a community, challenge each other, and learn from one another.

“A huge thank you to all the judges, sponsors, and special guests for their generosity of time and commitment. Your support plays a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of innovators, and together, we are making the world a better place. Congratulations to all the students who took part in this year’s competition!”

Luke Moss, Skills Manager at Exeter College and GSAP Board Member added: “We are proud to be partnered with the Trust to host this exciting Innovation Competition, which showcased the extraordinary potential of young people across Devon. Watching students collaborate, problem-solve and present with such passion and purpose was truly inspiring. Events like this reflect our shared commitment to equipping young people with the skills our region needs for a sustainable future and we are honoured to have played a role in empowering the next generation of innovators and changemakers.”

This year’s event was made possible by the generous support of sponsors: Coreus Group, ECO-TECH, Willmott Dixon, Progressive, Obell, E.ON, and EX2.

This term students from Isca Academy had the experience of a lifetime as they travelled to the iconic Twickenham Stadium to watch the Premiership Rugby Final between Bath and Leicester Tigers, they even got to play a game of touch rugby on the pitch at half-time.

Surrounded by over 81,700 passionate fans in the home of English rugby, the students soaked up the electric atmosphere as the closely contested match unfolded. The excitement and energy of the day created unforgettable memories and left a lasting impression on everyone involved.

From the roar of the crowd to the thrilling action on the pitch, the trip provided a powerful insight into the dedication and spirit behind elite sport. Isca Academy, part of the Ted Wragg Trust, is proud to offer such enriching opportunities that inspire students and help broaden their horizons both on and off the field.

Mrs Vicki Joyce, Headteacher at Isca Academy said:

"This was much more than just a trip, it was a memorable experience that our students will cherish for years. From the grandeur of the stadium to the excitement of live sport, it truly showed them what it means to be part of something special. We’re proud to provide opportunities like this."

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

"The Ted Wragg Trust is dedicated to transforming young people’s lives, and this trip perfectly illustrates how shared experiences beyond the classroom inspire aspiration, build connections, and boost confidence. Congratulations to the Isca Academy team for making it happen!"