Pupils from Marine Academy Primary marked World Book Day this week with a series of fun and engaging activities designed to inspire a love of reading across the whole school community.

Children arrived dressed as their favourite book characters, including a host of Alices from Alice in Wonderland, and even the school pets joined in the fun, adding to the lively atmosphere.

Families enjoyed reading together in a cosy corner of the Breakfast Bistro, sharing stories and sparking conversations about books. Pupils also took part in book swaps and delved into different themed classrooms across the day to immerse themselves in a range of texts.

As part of the Ted Wragg Trust, reading is at the heart of life at Marine Academy Plymouth all year round. Children enjoy daily reading sessions, guided class novels, and independent reading opportunities, with a focus on developing fluency, comprehension, and a lifelong love of books.

World Book Day encourages reading for pleasure and aims to ensure every child has access to books. This year’s celebrations also form part of the UK National Year of Reading, promoting reading as part of everyday life.

Georgina Reid, Headteacher at Marine Academy Primary, said:

“World Book Day was such a joyful occasion at Marine Academy. Seeing our pupils dressed up, sharing stories with their families, and even getting the pets involved really brought reading to life. Moments like this show just how much children enjoy books when it’s fun, interactive, and part of everyday life."

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

“It’s wonderful to see reading celebrated in such a lively and inclusive way. Events like this highlight the importance of reading for pleasure, helping children develop confidence, curiosity, and a love of learning that will stay with them long after World Book Day.”

Pupils at Cranbrook Education Campus stepped back into the 19th century as classrooms were transformed for a special “Dress Like a Victorian” day.

The immersive event supported years 5 and 6 pupils’ history learning on the Industrial Revolution, exploring the features of Victorian society and how living and working conditions changed during this period of rapid industrial growth.

Assistant headteacher Hannah Wickens launched the day fully in character, introducing strict Victorian-style classroom rules including standing when an adult enters the room, speaking only when invited, and writing with the right hand. Pupils were addressed by their surnames throughout the day, adding to the authentic feel and plenty of good-natured laughter.

Staff praised the effort put into costumes, with outfits helping to bring learning to life and spark discussion about social class, factory work, schooling and daily life in Victorian Britain.

Cranbrook Education Campus, part of the Ted Wragg Trust, delivers a broad and ambitious curriculum designed to be knowledge-rich, culturally diverse and engaging. Lessons are designed to help pupils build strong knowledge over time, ensuring they remember and apply what they have learned.

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

“What a brilliant day, packed with learning and laughter in equal measure. From the strict Victorian classroom rules to being addressed by their surnames, pupils fully embraced the experience and made it one to remember.”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust, said:

“Experiences like this show how powerful creative teaching can be. Bringing history to life in this way helps pupils understand the past more deeply and see how it connects to the world they live in today, well done to everyone involved in creating such a memorable day.”

Students at Marine Academy Plymouth welcomed representatives from Babcock as part of the school’s ongoing Future Fridays programme.

The visit from the global defence company gave students insight into a wide range of roles, first-hand experiences of the industry, and a clearer understanding of the skills and qualifications valued by employers.

Marine Academy Plymouth, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, runs a structured careers programme that provides every student with personalised guidance as they plan their next steps.

Future Fridays play an important role in this work, connecting students with employers and professionals and preparing them for life beyond the classroom. The sessions are designed to broaden horizons and encourage young people to think ambitiously about what comes next.

Jennifer Brimming, Principal of Marine Academy Plymouth, said: 

“Welcoming Babcock into the academy gave our students an amazing chance to engage with real-world careers. They asked thoughtful questions and were eager to learn more about the different pathways open to them. We are extremely grateful to the team from Babcock for sharing their time and expertise, as experiences like this help our students better understand the opportunities available.”

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

“Providing meaningful opportunities to engage with employers is a vital part of preparing young people for their futures. Sessions like this help students gain insight into the world of work and understand how their learning connects to real opportunities beyond school.”

Students at Isca Academy enjoyed a memorable visit from Canadian singer-songwriter Capri, who performed live and spoke openly about mental health, online safety, and the pressures young people face on social media.

The 21-year-old Billboard and iTunes-charting artist, currently based in Los Angeles, performed across three sessions, sharing her experiences with students across a range of year groups. Students responded with huge enthusiasm, enjoying the opportunity to receive free T-shirts, pose for photos, and have autographs signed.

Capri shared her personal experiences with mental health and body image, helping students understand that these challenges are faced by many young people and that support is always available. The sessions encouraged open conversations around wellbeing, respectful relationships, and safe, healthy use of social media.

Capri’s career has already seen her achieve millions of streams across platforms including Spotify, TikTok, and YouTube. She also holds a Guinness World Record for singing 76 national anthems in their host countries, in their native languages, in one year to raise money for orphaned and abandoned children, an achievement she completed at the age of 11. Her recent release Arcade reached number 17 on the Billboard charts.

The visit from Capri formed part of the school’s wider work supporting student wellbeing and digital awareness. As part of the Ted Wragg Trust, Isca Academy places a strong emphasis on helping students navigate the pressures of school and online life, with a dedicated pastoral and safeguarding team available to offer guidance and support. Specialist mental health staff regularly meet with students, while trained staff across the school ensure that every student has someone they can turn to.

Mrs Vicki Joyce, Headteacher at Isca Academy, said:

“It was a fantastic opportunity for our students to hear from Capri. Her performances were exciting and engaging, but just as importantly, her messages around mental health, social media and online pressures were incredibly powerful. Experiences like this help students see how learning connects to the wider world and show that education doesn’t stop at the classroom door.”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust, said:

“Visits like this can have a real impact on young people. Hearing from someone who is willing to speak openly about creativity, wellbeing and the challenges of modern life helps students feel supported and understood, while also showing them the many different paths their interests and talents could lead to."

Students at Tor Bridge High welcomed local MP Fred Thomas to meet those taking part in the school’s ‘Your Future Story’ programme.

The MP for Plymouth Moor View met with year 7 students involved in the long-term initiative supporting high-achieving students from the South West to reach their potential. The programme provides guidance and opportunities from Year 7 through to the first year of university, including tailored support for students and their families.

Mr Thomas also joined a Q&A session with the school parliament and school ambassadors, covering topics from foreign policy to local issues such as roadworks. Students also shared their views on possible restrictions on social media access for under-16s, a topic currently under consideration by the UK government.

The visit gave students the chance to discuss their aspirations, explore pathways to higher education, and gain insight into public service and the role of local representatives.

Part of the Ted Wragg Trust, Tor Bridge High maintains a strong focus on raising student aspirations, providing access to expert careers guidance, opportunities to engage with employers and universities, and support in making informed decisions about next steps.

Tracy Stephenson, Headteacher at Tor Bridge High, said:

"We are very grateful to Mr Thomas for taking the time to visit and speak with our students. Experiences like this give them a real sense of what’s possible, and help them understand how their hard work and aspirations can translate into future opportunities. It was a joy to see students asking such thoughtful questions about their education and the world around them."

Fred Thomas, MP for Plymouth Moor View, said:

“It was brilliant to meet with a handful of students who have been selected to take part in the Your Future Story programme. I also thoroughly enjoyed getting a bit of a grilling from the School Parliament and School Ambassadors during a Q&A. There were some really insightful and thoughtful questions.”

A Plymouth school has been shortlisted for a major national award after transforming its physical education provision and improving students’ confidence, wellbeing and engagement.

 Marine Academy Plymouth has been named a finalist in the Youth Sport Trust Awards, which recognise schools making an exceptional difference to young people through sport and physical activity. Winners will be announced at a national awards ceremony in March.

The recognition follows a major overhaul of the school’s PE programme over the past year, shaped by pupil feedback and supported through work with the Youth Sport Trust. Staff focused on removing barriers to participation and helping every young person develop a positive relationship with movement and physical activity.

Changes included introducing a new concept-driven curriculum centred on physical literacy, widening the range of activities on offer, and allowing students to attend school in PE kit to reduce anxiety around changing facilities. Extra indoor spaces were also opened during lessons so students could take part in environments where they felt comfortable.

Targeted support groups were created for students experiencing disadvantage, alongside specialist programmes designed to rebuild confidence and improve behaviour through movement. Changes to the curriculum have given students more opportunities to be active during the school week.

The impact has been striking with the school seeing improved behaviour, attendance and engagement. Staff report better participation and higher levels of enjoyment in teaching, while students say they feel happier, more supported and more willing to take part in sport.

Academic outcomes in PE have also improved, with the school achieving the strongest GCSE results for the subject across the Ted Wragg Trust.

Marine Academy Plymouth’s work with the Youth Sport Trust has included specialist training for staff and sharing its approach with schools across the country, helping to highlight how physical education can play a central role in wider school improvement.

Jennifer Brimming, Principal of Marine Academy Plymouth, said: 

“We are extremely proud to be selected as a finalist in the national Youth Sport Trust Awards. Our staff have worked hard to listen to students and shape our programme, and it’s been wonderful to see the impact this has had on confidence, behaviour and enjoyment of PE. Sport can play a powerful role in young people’s lives, and this recognition reflects the commitment of our whole school community.”

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

“This nomination highlights how thoughtful, inclusive approaches to physical education can make a real difference to students lives. Marine Academy Plymouth has shown how listening to students and investing in staff development can help transform experiences at school and open up opportunities for the future. We are delighted to see their work recognised on a national stage.”