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Pupils from Exwick Heights Primary School enjoyed an unforgettable day of discovery at Kents Cavern, one of the most important prehistoric sites in Europe. 

The trip brought their classroom learning about prehistoric Britain vividly to life as the children explored the fascinating underground caves and the scenic woodland trail above.

During the visit, pupils learned how the caves were formed and later discovered, as well as who once lived inside them. They became real-life archaeologists for the day, searching for clues about how people lived in the Stone Age and even holding a genuine Stone Age handaxe.

Kents Cavern is formed from Devonian limestone, originally created over 3,000 miles away beneath the sea. Over millions of years, tiny sea organisms extracted calcium carbonate from seawater to build their shells and bones, which settled on the seabed after they died. These remains were gradually compressed and hardened to form the limestone we see today.

Around 300 million years ago, massive tectonic movements during the Variscan Orogeny caused continents to collide, forming the supercontinent Pangea and pushing, cracking, and crumpling the rocks all the way toward the Torbay area, a journey spanning 3,000 miles.

The trip was a wonderful opportunity for pupils to deepen their understanding of early human history through hands on, immersive learning. It sparked their curiosity about life thousands of years ago and helped them connect their classroom studies with real-world discoveries.

At Exwick Heights, which is part of Ted Wragg Trust, history is brought to life through an engaging and thought provoking curriculum that helps pupils explore Britain’s past and the wider world. The subject is designed to spark curiosity and fascination, encouraging children to ask questions, think critically and make meaningful connections between the past and the present. 

Mrs Gemma Wills, Headteacher at Exwick Heights Primary School said: “Our trip to Kents Cavern was an incredible experience for our pupils. They loved exploring the caves, learning about prehistoric life, and even handling a real Stone Age handaxe. It’s moments like these that make history come alive and inspire curiosity and critical thinking in our children.”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said: “At the Ted Wragg Trust, we are committed to providing immersive learning experiences that connect pupils with the wider world. The visit to Kents Cavern gave students a tangible connection to history, sparking their imagination and helping them see the relevance of the past in today’s world.”

  

Cranbrook Education Campus (CEC) has marked its tenth birthday this month with a celebration for the whole school community. Families, pupils, staff and members of the Cranbrook community all came together on Friday the 3rd of October to hear speeches from school leaders, as well as representatives from the Ted Wragg Trust which the school is a part of. 

Pupils also shared some of their own reflections on the school’s journey over the last decade and CEC’s amazing choir put on an array of musical performances, as did some individual performers and pupils who were part of the cast of the school’s production of Shrek the Musical. The celebration was live streamed into classrooms as part of the school day, so that all pupils could take part. Following this, pupils then enjoyed a ‘10 Year Birthday Party’ in their tutor base or classroom for the remainder of the day, with party packs supplied by the PTA and sponsored by local businesses.

The party didn’t end with the school day, as CEC’s PTA kindly put on a bake sale after school during which parents were also encouraged to come and peruse a special photo exhibition which had been curated to celebrate the milestone. As part of the celebrations, every pupil wrote a letter to be buried in a time capsule on the school grounds ready for the next generation of pupils to open. 

At Cranbrook Education Campus, they celebrate every success and encourage learners to live by their five PERKS 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. 

Alongside this, they ensure every pupil enjoys a wide range of opportunities, from reading widely and building cultural capital to volunteering, engaging in extra-curricular activities, and gaining meaningful work experience. By encouraging ambition, resilience and responsibility, staff empower learners to fulfil their potential and contribute positively to their community and beyond.

CEC pupils are regularly rewarded with house points for demonstrating one of their five PERKS, which are - we are proud by following all lesson expectations and reasonable requests. We are engaged by taking ownership of our progress, being self-reflective, and actively participating in all lessons. We are ready by being punctual, wearing the correct uniform, and bringing the right equipment at all times. We are kind by supporting our peers in the best way possible. And we are safe by following all health and safety rules on site and keeping ourselves safe online.

 Stephen Farmer, Head of Campus at Cranbrook Education Campus said:

“This term we celebrated 10 years of Cranbrook Education Campus, a school, a community and a family that I am so proud to be part of. From our humble beginnings with just 52 pupils to now over 1,000, CEC has always been about more than buildings or results; it’s about people. Our pupils inspire us every day, our dedicated staff give their all, our families put their trust in us, and our wider community makes CEC truly #Crantastic. Thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey so far, here’s to the next 10 years of transforming lives, strengthening our community and making the world a better place."

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

"We are proud to see Cranbrook Education Campus reach its tenth anniversary, a testament to the dedication of its staff and the ambition of its pupils and their families. It was such a joy to listen to the performances during the celebration event and hear from pupils about their hopes for the future as part of their time capsule letters. This celebration highlights the strong sense of community at CEC and the positive impact the school has had over the past ten years, shaping learners who are proud, engaged, and ready to succeed."

  

  

Students at Sidmouth College have had the exciting opportunity to take part in a writers’ workshop led by local author Jane Corry this term. 

Jane Corry is a Sunday Times best-selling author, a Washington Post best-seller, with over 1.5 million books sold worldwide across more than 20 countries. In addition to writing, Jane has taught creative writing at Oxford University, served as writer-in-residence at a high-security male prison, and held a Royal Literary Fund Fellowship at Exeter University. Her work has been recognised with awards including the Elizabeth Goudge Trophy and the Vera Brittain Cup for short stories.

During the session, students developed imaginative story ideas and asked insightful questions about Jane’s experiences as a published writer. The workshop left students feeling inspired and enthusiastic about their own writing, with Jane herself commenting on how impressed she was by their creativity and imagination.

At Sidmouth College, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, the English curriculum is designed to develop reading, writing, and speaking abilities. Students explore a wide range of literature, including poetry, drama, and prose, both fiction and non-fiction, encouraging a love of English while engaging with the themes, ideas, and emotions that have shaped human experience.

Alex Evans, Headteacher at Sidmouth College said:

“It was fantastic to see our students so engaged and inspired by Jane Corry’s workshop. Opportunities like this bring our English curriculum to life, showing students how creativity, imagination, and hard work can lead to real success in writing and beyond.”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“Workshops with accomplished authors like Jane Corry provide invaluable experiences for our students. They not only learn about the craft of writing but also gain insight into the dedication and creativity needed to succeed, inspiring them to develop their own skills and pursue their ambitions.”

 

The ‘Singing Children of Africa’ have visited Exmouth Community College (ECC) this term to take part in an exciting performance with ECC students. The group visited the college as part of their national tour. 

The ‘Singing Children of Africa’ began in 2006 when the founder of the charity Educate the Kids formed a group of 24 pupils from Kenya for a UK tour. The children’s energy, songs and dance quickly won over audiences, raising enough to build an orphanage and later support new school facilities. 

Over the years, the tours have given hundreds of children life-changing experiences, boosting confidence, cultural awareness and education. Today, the group continues to inspire with performances that celebrate resilience, joy and the power of education.

Through her close links with the charity, Mrs Phillips, the Head of Expressive Arts at ECC arranged for the visitors to take part in dance and drama workshops with students from the college. In addition, the choir performed alongside students from ECC in a range of music and dance pieces in an uplifting evening event.

All proceeds from the joint performances, which raised over £1k went to Educate the Kids to help fund children from the most deprived areas near Mombasa in Kenya to attend school. 

At Exmouth Community College, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust,  the Music Department offers students a vibrant, creative environment led by a team of active professional musicians. Based in purpose-built facilities with recording studios, Mac suites, classrooms and practice rooms, the department provides a curriculum that develops performance, composition, listening and cultural understanding across a wide range of styles. 

Alongside lessons, students can take part in a rich programme of extra-curricular opportunities, from ensembles and public performances to biennial tours and full-scale musical productions, all designed to inspire a love of music and the joy of performing in the community.

Tom Inman, Headteacher at Exmouth Community College said: “It was a privilege to welcome the ‘Singing Children of Africa’ to our college. The energy, joy and talent they shared with our students was truly inspiring, and the workshops and joint performance created a memorable experience for everyone involved. This event captured the power of music and dance to connect cultures and communities, and we are proud that our students had the opportunity to be a part of it.”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Multi-Academy Trust said:“At the Ted Wragg Trust, we believe education should broaden horizons and build connections across the world. The visit from the ‘Singing Children of Africa’ gave our students the chance to learn, perform and celebrate alongside an incredible group of young people. The funds raised will make a real difference in the lives of children in Kenya, and this partnership demonstrates the true impact of education, creativity and community coming together.”

  

 

Sidmouth College has welcomed a new headteacher this academic year. Mr Alex Evans took up the post at the beginning of September, succeeding Lisa Whitworth, who has led the school as Interim Headteacher over the past year.

Mr Evans joins the college from St Luke’s Church of England School in Exeter, which is one of the top-performing schools in Devon for student progress. He spent six years there as part of the senior leadership team. Both schools are part of the Ted Wragg Trust, a growing family of schools across Devon dedicated to transforming the lives of young people. 

Staff and students have already begun to get to know their new Headteacher and parents will have the opportunity to meet Mr Evans this half term on two separate evenings.

Mr Evans is taking the helm of the college at a particularly exciting and positive time. This year’s A-Level students achieved the strongest set of results seen in recent years, with a clear rise in average grades that reflects the excellent progress being made across the school.

At GCSE, results were equally impressive. There was a remarkable 10% increase in the number of students achieving a good pass (grade 5 or above) in both English and Maths. This success means Sidmouth College is now performing above the national average for both grade 4+ and grade 5+ outcomes, based on the 2024 figures.

At Sidmouth College, every learner is supported to believe in themselves and succeed in fulfilling their potential, inspired to lead happy, healthy and successful lives in a rapidly changing world. Through inspirational teaching, a high-quality and relevant curriculum, and opportunities that extend beyond the classroom, students achieve outstanding outcomes and develop the skills they need for the future. 

Alex Evans, Headteacher at Sidmouth College said:

“I am delighted to join the Sidmouth College community. From my very first visit, I was struck by the warmth of the staff, the care shown to students, and the strong sense of belonging here. Sidmouth has an excellent reputation, and the brilliant results achieved by students this summer are a real testament to their hard work and the dedication of staff. I am excited to work with students, staff, and families to build on these successes and ensure every young person achieves their potential."

Chair of Governors at Sidmouth College, Ann Denner, said:

“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Alex to Sidmouth College, he brings a wealth of experience and a strong track record in improving the quality of education for students. We are looking forward to working with Alex and the amazing team of staff at the college as they continue to ensure our students thrive and succeed.”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“We are thrilled that Alex has taken on the role at Sidmouth College. His experience, track record and commitment to our values make him an excellent leader for the school’s next chapter.”