Marine Academy Primary was proud to welcome local MP Fred Thomas and Councillor Sally Cresswell to its Breakfast Bistro this term.

The school now provides free breakfast to all children and their families, thanks to the government’s Early Adopters Breakfast Clubs programme, helping to give the entire school community a nutritious and positive start to the day.

Mr Thomas and Cllr Cresswell spent time chatting with pupils, parents, and staff while enjoying a selection of healthy breakfast options. They praised the school for its welcoming atmosphere and its commitment to supporting families.

The Breakfast Bistro runs each morning from 8:15 am to 8:30 am in the Primary Hall, where families can enjoy breakfast together. From 8:30 am onwards, children continue their morning with the universal classroom-based breakfast offering. 

The initiative, part of a wider government commitment to roll out free breakfast clubs to all state-funded primary schools in England by summer 2025, is designed to help children overcome barriers to learning and ensure they are ready to succeed each day. Marine Academy Primary, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, sees this programme as an extension of its ongoing commitment to wellbeing, equity, and opportunity for all.

Fred Thomas MP for Plymouth Moor View said:

"It was a real pleasure to visit Marine Academy Primary and see first-hand how the Breakfast Club is bringing the community together. Ensuring children start their day with a healthy meal and a sense of belonging is vital. This programme is a fantastic initiative, and it's clear the school is embracing it with enthusiasm and care."

Georgina Reid, Headteacher at Marine Academy Primary, said:

"We were delighted to have MP Fred Thomas and Cllr Sally Cresswell join us for breakfast. Breakfast is about more than just food, it’s a moment of calm, connection, and care before the busy school day begins. Our Breakfast Bistro is already proving to be a joyful and important part of our daily routine."

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

"It was wonderful to welcome Fred Thomas MP and Cllr Sally Cresswell to Marine Academy Primary and showcase the incredible impact of our new breakfast initiative. Their support highlights how vital partnerships are in creating inclusive, nurturing environments where every child starts the day with the fuel they need to thrive."

Year 10 student Ellie at Queen Elizabeth’s School (QE) recently marked a major milestone by graduating from the Junior Chef Academy with a special celebration at the prestigious Lympstone Manor, hosted by Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines. Ellie, who has been honing her culinary skills at Exeter College’s skills kitchen, was rewarded for her dedication and passion for cooking.

The Junior Chef Academy, an after-school programme run in partnership with Exeter College and local Ted Wragg Trust schools like QE, provides students with professional training and hands-on experience in preparing high-quality food. By combining practical qualifications with high-profile workshops, masterclasses, and work placements, the academy offers students a unique chance to learn from industry leaders.

Ellie, along with fellow Ted Wragg students, enjoyed a memorable day including a tour of Lympstone Manor’s hotel, vineyard, and shepherds’ huts, followed by lunch in the stunning setting. 

Founded in partnership with celebrated chef Michael Caines MBE, the academy provides an exceptional blend of catering and hospitality training alongside exclusive opportunities. Students benefit from Michael’s expertise, gained through his award-winning modern cuisine and leadership of Lympstone Manor, a luxury five-star country house hotel in Devon holding five AA rosettes and a Michelin star.

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

“We are incredibly proud of Ellie’s commitment and achievements. The Junior Chef Academy offers an amazing opportunity for our students to develop real-world skills and confidence in a professional environment. Ellie’s experience at Lympstone Manor is a fantastic reward and inspiration for all our students.”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“This partnership exemplifies how collaboration between schools, colleges, and industry leaders can unlock opportunities for young people. We are delighted to see our students flourish through programmes like the Junior Chef Academy and are grateful to Michael Caines and Lympstone Manor for their incredible support.”

Cranbrook Education Campus (CEC) is proud to announce it has been awarded the prestigious Rainbow Flag Award, a national accolade that recognises schools’ committed to creating safe, inclusive, and supportive environments for all pupils, especially those who identify as LGBTQ+.

The award highlights the school’s dedication to embedding inclusion, equality, and diversity into every aspect of campus life. From comprehensive staff training and pupil-led initiatives to a thoughtfully inclusive curriculum, Cranbrook Education Campus has worked to ensure that every child feels seen, supported, and celebrated.

This recognition comes as a result of a sustained effort to cultivate a culture where difference is respected and diversity is embraced.

As part of the award journey, Cranbrook staff have undergone specialist training to better support pupils, while learners themselves have taken the lead in shaping inclusive practices through pupil voice projects. Lessons now feature themes and stories that reflect a wide range of identities and family structures, helping pupils understand the richness of the world around them.

The Rainbow Flag Award is a nationally recognised quality assurance framework designed for schools and youth-focused organisations. It promotes positive inclusion, representation, and visibility for LGBT+ communities, which includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and other related identities. The award encourages a whole-school approach to LGBT+ inclusion, supporting schools in developing effective strategies to challenge and prevent LGBTphobic bullying.

Once achieved, the Rainbow Flag Award remains valid for two years. During this time, schools are expected to maintain a proactive and inclusive culture, using guidance from the awarding body to implement practices that best support LGBT+ inclusion across the school environment.

Cranbrook Education Campus, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, is glad to be setting an example, showing that inclusion isn’t just a box to tick, but a lived value that benefits every young person.

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

"We are absolutely delighted to receive the Rainbow Flag Award. It reflects the genuine commitment of our staff and pupils to making our school a place where everyone belongs. I’m especially proud of how our pupils have embraced the values of kindness, respect, and representation. This is more than an award, it’s a celebration of the inclusive culture we’ve built together."

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

"This achievement is a testament to the care, commitment and compassion at the heart of Cranbrook Education Campus. It demonstrates our shared belief that education should be a vehicle for equality and empowerment. I'm proud of the entire school community for creating a place where every child knows they are valued, included and respected."

In celebration of World Environment Day this term, the Green Team student ambassadors at Tor Bridge High launched a Green Ticket Challenge, encouraging students to recycle plastic bottles over the course of one week. 

Each student who recycled a bottle earned a green ticket, entering them into a special prize draw. Thanks to the enthusiastic participation of Tor Bridge students, hundreds of plastic bottles were collected, which will be creatively repurposed into a Remembrance display in the upcoming academic year.

The Green Ticket draw winners received books and treats focused on how to protect our planet, inspiring them to continue their journey toward sustainability.

World Environment Day is a global event celebrated every year to raise awareness and encourage action for the protection of our planet. It serves as a reminder for individuals, communities, and organisations to come together and make positive changes toward a healthier, more sustainable environment.

At Tor Bridge High, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, their core values of courage, love, and ambition guide everything they do. Staff are so proud of students for demonstrating the value of love, not only for each other but for the school community and the planet.

Tracy Stephenson, Headteacher at Tor Bridge High said:

“Our students have truly embodied our values through the Green Ticket Challenge. Their enthusiasm and commitment to caring for the environment show the power of collective action. It’s wonderful to see how a simple act like recycling can make such a positive impact.”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“Tor Bridge High is setting a brilliant example of how schools can nurture environmental responsibility and community spirit. Initiatives like the Green Ticket Challenge inspire young people to become proactive stewards of our planet, an essential part of their development and our future.”

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.”