Students at Isca Academy were treated to an unforgettable British Science Week event as they welcomed Drs. Natalie Whitehead and Alice Mills from the Exeter Science Centre, alongside a team of academics from Exeter University, on Thursday, 13th March. 

The visit brought the “Our World from Space” project to the school, offering an exciting exploration into the crucial role of UK space science in the health and sustainability of our planet.

The event, designed to celebrate British Science Week and its theme of ‘Change and Adapt,’ allowed students to engage in a variety of interactive activities focused on space technology, satellites, and their real-world applications in tackling global challenges. From environmental sustainability and weather prediction to understanding the impacts of climate change, the hands-on experiences gave students an insight into how space science is key to addressing some of the most pressing issues on Earth.

This event is a part of the Exeter Science Centre’s wider mission to engage the public with the latest scientific research, particularly through their Future Researchers in Schools programme. The visit also reflects Isca Academy’s commitment to excellence in STEM education, following their impressive science results in the summer of 2024, where 71.6% of students achieved a grade 4 or above in science, significantly surpassing national averages.

The “Our World from Space” event is part of the Futures: A Festival of Discovery for the South West initiative, which brings researchers from the University of Exeter into local schools to share their expertise and inspire the next generation of scientists and researchers.

The science curriculum at Isca Academy, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, is designed to help students develop critical thinking, build on observations, and ask insightful questions, so they gain a deep understanding of the world around them. Practical activities allow students to apply their knowledge, while lessons link scientific ideas to real-world applications, including discussions about STEM careers and current science news. By the end of their studies, students leave Isca not only prepared for further academic challenges but also with a greater understanding of the relevance of science in everyday life.

Mrs Vicki Joyce, Headteacher at Isca Academy said:

“We are incredibly proud of our students’ achievements in science, and this event was the perfect way to bring those successes to life. The interactive sessions with experts in the field inspired our students and helped them connect what they’re learning in the classroom with cutting-edge research. It’s experiences like these that shape the innovators and problem-solvers of tomorrow.”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“At the Ted Wragg Trust, we are committed to providing opportunities to bring the curriculum to life beyond the classroom, including offering our students chances to engage with leading experts and cutting-edge research. The ‘Our World from Space’ event is a prime example of how we aim to inspire scientific curiosity. It’s fantastic to see our students exploring the vital role of space science in addressing global challenges, and we are incredibly proud of the innovative work happening at Isca Academy.”

   

 

Year 7 and 8  students at West Exe School took part in an exciting and hands-on physics enrichment activity this term, thanks to the National Space Academy. 

The young scientists designed and launched rockets, testing their flight ability and timing how far they traveled before landing.  The day was an inspiring opportunity for students to engage with STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects and experience the thrill of real-world science.  The event was a resounding success, inspiring a new generation of future scientists and space enthusiasts!

The National Space Academy  was created with the ambition to integrate space science—encompassing exploration, astronomy, and satellite applications—into school science curriculums.  Its aim is to boost student attainment, support teachers with additional resources, and guide young people towards careers in science and engineering. 

Since its inception in 2008, the academy has grown from a regional programme in the East Midlands to a national initiative, now working with over 30 team members across the UK and internationally, including the European Space Agency.  Founded by Prof Anu Ojha, OBE, the academy continues to promote the belief that science education transcends boundaries, with space science offering global solutions to global challenges.

At West Exe School, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, the science curriculum is carefully sequenced to help students develop a deep understanding of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, with a focus on revisiting key concepts and building upon prior knowledge. 

The curriculum is designed to inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, while encouraging students to see the value of science in their everyday lives.  With a passionate and experienced team, West Exe offers practical experiments, STEM enrichment activities, and bespoke learning materials to support students' learning. The school’s commitment to science education is reflected in the success of its graduates, many of whom go on to study at prestigious institutions or pursue careers in fields like medicine.

Julie Fossey, Headteacher at West Exe School said:

“It was fantastic to see our students diving into the world of physics in such an exciting and practical way. These kinds of activities not only bring learning to life but also inspire our students to pursue future careers in STEM, possibly as future scientists, engineers, or even astronauts!"

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“This enriching experience is exactly what we aim to provide across our trust – opportunities for our students to engage with learning in a hands-on, interactive way.  STEM education is vital for shaping the innovators of tomorrow, and this rocket science activity was a perfect example of how to make learning memorable."

  

Matford Brook Academy (MBA) marked World Book Day on Thursday, 6th March, with a variety of exciting activities designed to inspire a lifelong love of reading. This year’s theme, “Read Your Way,” encouraged children to explore reading in a personal, enjoyable manner, helping them discover how books can be a fun and rewarding part of their lives. 

World Book Day is a global initiative aimed at promoting the enjoyment of reading for pleasure. The charity behind it works to ensure that every child has access to books and encourages schools and communities to make reading a social, fun, and enriching experience. 

MBA, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, chose World Book Day to officially launch their newly developed library space full of beautiful new book collections. The school team have worked with the wonderful School Library Service to develop the space and ensure a fantastic book deposit collection is available for the pupils. 

A whole host of other fun activities took place on the day including pupils dressing up as their favourite book characters, with prizes for the best costumes. Pupils also created their own book vlogs, sharing what they love about their treasured books and characters. 

Secondary and primary students also took part in reading buddy sessions, where they shared special stories with each other. There was also a book review competition, with the winning reviews displayed in the school’s brand new library space, and a bookmark design competition, with winning designs turned into bookmarks available in the library.   

Hannah Rose, Acting Headteacher at Matford Brook Academy said: 

“We were thrilled to see how engaged our pupils were with World Book Day. The theme, ‘Read Your Way,’ allowed our pupils to take ownership of their reading experience, and it was fantastic to see how much creativity and excitement they brought to the day. The new library space is the perfect environment for encouraging this love of reading and learning.” 

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said: 

“At the Ted Wragg Trust we are committed to providing all young people with the best possible learning environments.  World Book Day has been an opportunity to celebrate not just reading but also the importance of creative expression and collaboration. Matford Brook Academy’s refreshed library space has been designed to spark curiosity and make reading a fun, immersive experience for all students.” 

  

 

Sixty Year 9 students from  All Saints Academy Plymouth (ASAP) recently participated in an exciting STEM event sponsored by the Smallpeice Trust and the RAF Charitable Trust, where they gained invaluable skills, showcased their creativity, and earned the prestigious Bronze CREST Award. 

The hands-on event, designed to inspire the next generation of engineers and innovators, saw students dive into real-world challenges.  They used their knowledge of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to design prototypes, solve complex problems, and present their work in teams.  Throughout the day, they worked with industry-led materials, gaining a deep understanding of what it takes to be a successful engineer in today’s world.  The students not only learned about the technical side of engineering, but also about the creativity and team collaboration that drives the industry. 

The event culminated in the students earning their Bronze CREST Awards, a nationally recognised certification.  These awards are known to significantly improve academic outcomes for students, with research showing that those who complete a CREST Silver Award or higher tend to perform better academically and are more likely to pursue STEM subjects at a higher level.  The skills developed during the event – such as research, problem-solving, and communication – will also help these students in their future studies and careers. 

Students commented the following about the session: 

• “It was great to see what we learned was used in the project. We added to our design after we saw the other teams' prototypes to make ours better. We got 3rd place!”  

• “Our first prototype was pretty bad, but after Fred gave us some hints, we did the second and third ones better. It was one of the best prototypes and many of the other teams plagiarised our designs in their final designs. We won 2nd place!”  

This event, which cost the school nothing thanks to the funding from the Smallpeice Trust and RAF Charitable Trust, was a huge success, and the school plans to continue partnering with these organisations to provide similar opportunities in the future. This year, All Saints Academy Plymouth has even managed to extend the programme, offering the same award to an additional 120 Year 8 students. 

All Saints Academy Plymouth, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, is committed to providing students with the best opportunities for personal and academic growth.  By offering industry-led programs and encouraging creativity in the classroom, the school strives to nurture the engineers, scientists, and innovators of tomorrow. 

The Smallpeice Trust is an educational charity that inspires young people to pursue careers in science and engineering through events and workshops.  The RAF Charitable Trust promotes the Royal Air Force and inspires young people to fulfil their potential in air, space and technology.  

Scott Simpson-Horne, Headteacher at All Saints Academy Plymouth said: 

“We are incredibly proud of our students for embracing this challenge and excelling in every aspect of the event.  From the moment they entered the hall, they were exposed to a wealth of industry knowledge and encouraged to think outside the box.  Watching our students succeed and grow in confidence was truly rewarding, and we’re excited to see how this experience will inspire their future academic journeys in STEM.” 

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said: 

“We are thrilled to see the success of our students in this transformative STEM event.  The Bronze CREST Award is not just a certificate, but a recognition of their dedication, creativity, and teamwork.  These experiences lay the groundwork for their future academic and career journeys, helping them build the essential skills that will guide them in the world of STEM.  At the Ted Wragg Trust, we’re committed to providing these opportunities, and we look forward to seeing more students excel in similar initiatives.” 

    

    

Today, we celebrate International Women's Day through the remarkable female leaders within our Trust who inspire us every day with their brilliance and passion. We asked them: What are you most proud of, and who inspires you? Their answers embody our values of how we are brave, kind and stronger together. Let's continue to uplift and support each other as we strive for progress and equity!

Who inspires you?

Who inspires you? Testimonials

What are you most proud of? 

 

 

Exmouth Community College (ECC) has formally joined the Ted Wragg Trust (TWT) family of schools this week, marking a significant moment in the Colleges’ journey. ECC will be joining schools in Exeter, East Devon, Crediton and Plymouth as part of the Trust that now serves over 15,500 students within Devon. 

With a vision to enable their students to flourish through the core values of Belonging, Ambition and Responsibility, the college delivers a rich educational curriculum to develop their students’ academic skills, as well as experiences to help them grow and prepare them for the world of work. 

The college has been working closely with the Devon based trust for some time including all staff taking part in the Trust’s annual Investment Week in November 2024, which saw 1,800 attendees from across the Trust come together for training and development with over 11,000 hours of CPD completed across the week.  

Colleagues have also begun to join professional networks from subject level networks to Coaching Networks to a Senior Mental Health Leads Network and most recently collaborated on marking Children’s Mental Health Week by delivering a themed assembly, personal development sessions focused on mindfulness and a Wellbeing Fayre. 

Last year, ECC’s governing body voted unanimously to become part of the Ted Wragg Trust following thorough exploration and community consultation. The School Leadership Team are confident that the Trust’s values-based vision for education aligns closely with the school’s own principles, and that joining will offer a wide range of benefits and opportunities for the school. 

The TWT is an ambitious and inclusive trust of schools which aims to strengthen communities through excellent education. Since being established in 2013, they have grown to 18 schools located in Plymouth, Exeter, Crediton and East Devon. Schools joining the trust have seen consistent improvements in exam results and Ofsted ratings. 

 The CEO of the Trust, Moira Marder, was awarded an OBE last year for her outstanding services to education. She has been the CEO of the Trust since it was established out of a desire to find local solutions for Devon schools. She believes passionately in the benefit of local schools working together to be the best they can be so that any child can attend their local school and receive an excellent education.  

 Tom Inman, Headteacher at Exmouth Community College said:  

“ We are completely committed to serving our wonderful local community by giving our families a really strong Secondary school. We are delighted to be joining the Ted Wragg Trust because we know it will provide the expertise, support and resources to enable us to do that. With neighbouring schools already part of the Ted Wragg Trust family, this was a natural step for ECC and we are really excited about what the future will bring.” 

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Multi-Academy Trust said:  

“We are delighted to welcome everyone at Exmouth Community College to our Ted Wragg Trust family of schools. Exmouth is a school deeply rooted in its community and I am really excited by our partnership being formalised. Everyone at the Trust looks forward to supporting Tom and his team to deliver their vision for the school. We hope students, families and staff will see the benefits of being part of a larger group of schools and we look forward to helping the staff achieve their goals so that students can achieve their dreams.”