Nearly 100 talented students from Exmouth Community College delivered a spectacular, West-End-style production of Mary Poppins, wowing audiences across five sell-out performances at the Elizabeth Lee Theatre.

With two alternating casts taking on the iconic roles of Mary and Bert, the show impressed audiences with performances beyond the students’ years. 

The production featured an 80-strong cast with a dedicated team of around 100 students, covering everything from production, lighting, sound, marketing, and acting roles to make the performances truly unforgettable.

The ambitious project had been in the works since Easter, with the Expressive Arts Team visiting local primary schools to showcase the production. The run began with a special matinee for local pupils, giving them the first taste of the performance.

Mrs Lauren Coull, Head of Drama and Director of the production, led the students alongside a talented student-led live band and technical team. Musical direction was provided by Mr Greg Susevee, choreography by Mrs Amy Phillips, and musical arrangements by Mrs Clare Rackham, with Miss Yessica Krosschell serving as Assistant Director and Stage Manager. Tech Manager Mr Lee Parvin ensured smooth running behind the scenes.

Mrs Phillips, Head of the Expressive Arts Faculty, said: “It is testimony to the dedication of our staff and passion of our students that we were able to produce a show accompanied by a live student band, supported by a student-led tech team and 80 strong cast members, all displaying talents that wouldn’t be out of place on a West End stage!”

Starring roles included Mary Poppins, played by the versatile Caylee and Eliza, and Bert, played by Robbie and Alfie. The roles of Jane and Michael Banks were expertly performed by Alex and Vinnie.

At Exmouth Community College, students are offered a broad educational curriculum with Expressive Arts as a strong thread throughout, including offering dance as a discrete subject at Key Stage Three. It also hosts a thriving extra-curricular offer as part of its focus on developing the ‘whole person’ in preparation for adult life.

The opportunity to be part of a full-scale production each year gives students first-hand experience of what it is like to be in a Theatre company.

Headteacher Tom Inman praised the production, saying: “Thank you to everyone involved who helped to make this show so magical. It is truly a brilliant example of the talent and dedication within our College community. Our students never fail to rise to the challenge and I’m so proud of their creativity and commitment.”

A talented Year 5 pupil from Marine Academy Primary in Plymouth has scooped first prize in the Ted Wragg Trust Christmas Card Competition, triumphing over entries submitted by pupils from 18 schools across Devon.

Hope impressed judges with her striking Candy Cane design, created on a crisp white background and decorated with festive holly. Her artwork will now feature on the Trust’s official Christmas card for 2025.

Lisa, from Queen Elizabeth’s School in Crediton, was named runner-up for her atmospheric Snowy Landscape design, while third place went to Edith from Isca Academy in Exeter for her detailed Christmas Pudding lino print.

The winning design has been reproduced as the Trust’s official printed card, while the first and second place designs have also been turned into digital cards to share with students, families, and partners across the region.

This year the competition was judged by a panel including artist Becky Bettesworth, with the winner receiving a Hobbycraft voucher and the runners up chocolate to enjoy.

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said: “Well done to Hope, Lisa and Edith for their wonderful designs which are now featured on our official Christmas cards; I’m looking forward to sharing their artwork on my Christmas cards this year! We are incredibly proud of all our students who entered, it's been fantastic to see the creativity of our young people shine through.”

Students, staff and families across the trust of schools have been busy spreading festive joy in their communities through carol concerts, community dinners, craft fairs and support for local foodbanks.

A digital copy of the winning Christmas cards can be viewed on the Ted Wragg Trust Facebook page.

Exmouth Community College (ECC) has been awarded a ‘Tescos Golden Grant’ worth £5,000 this term as part of the supermarket’s ‘Stronger Starts’ campaign. 

The grant was awarded after a customer shopping at Tesco Rolle Street, Exmouth, discovered a golden version of Tesco’s famous blue voting token during the store’s designated “golden hour.” Whoever finds the golden token gets to decide which community project receives a £5,000 grant.

ECC will now use the grant to strengthen its reading initiatives, ensuring students have the opportunity to engage with challenging and inspiring texts. Current Year 7 students are reading Wonder by RJ Palacio, while Year 9 students are exploring The Fault in Our Stars by John Green during tutor time. 

At Exmouth Community College, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, the English faculty delivers a knowledge rich curriculum built around the key concepts of power and identity, with ambitious reading, writing and oracy at its core. From the moment pupils join Exmouth, staff develop a love of reading in students through high expectations, strong library partnerships and regular literary events. 

Lea Carpenter, Director of English at Exmouth Community College, said: “We are extremely grateful to Tesco and to the customer who chose us for this grant. It will make a meaningful difference to the experience of our students at Exmouth Community College and we are excited to begin putting it to good use.”

Tom Inman, Headteacher at Exmouth Community College said: “We are so grateful to Tesco for this generous grant. We will now further develop our reading programme in order to encourage a love of reading and give our students the key skills they need to thrive in life. This grant will enable us to connect our students, staff and our wider Exmouth community through literature.”

Richard Foord MP has visited Honiton Community College (HCC) this term to meet members of the newly formed school council. 

Mr Foord led a session on the qualities of great leadership and the importance of serving your community. Students took the opportunity to ask him questions, reflect on their role in the college and wider community and explore how to make a positive difference. 

The session also supported the new student council in pursuing its three key aims, developing leadership skills, representing all students, and serving the local community.

Honiton Community College, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, aims to create an inclusive and ambitious environment that shapes confident, ambitious and successful young people who are keen to engage in the world of tomorrow.

Mr Foord’s visit was followed by a session with Tim Rutherford, Deputy CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust, who spoke to the school council about the values of strong leadership and led a lively Q&A. Students thoroughly enjoyed the chance to hear from Tim and explore what makes an effective leader.

Caroline Brothwood, Headteacher at Honiton Community College, said:

"Our new student council is full of leadership potential and raring to make a difference both inside and outside the college. Mr Foord’s visit was a fantastic opportunity for students to reflect on what they want to achieve and how they can make it happen. We’re very grateful to him for his time and insight.”

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

“We’re committed to enriching students’ lives, helping to build stronger communities, and making the world a better place. Mr Foord brought those values to life and it was inspiring to see students thinking so deeply about the part they can play in creating positive change. I’m excited to see how the student council takes this experience forward.”

Students at St Luke’s Church of England School have been doing their bit for the environment this term by planting 105 new trees on the school grounds.

The trees were supplied by the Woodland Trust, and the school chose the charity’s Wild Harvest selection, which includes a mix of native species such as hazel, blackthorn, crab apple, elder, dog rose and rowan. These varieties were chosen to provide food and habitats for a wide range of wildlife as they mature.

The planting project was largely student-led, building on the ongoing work of the school’s Ecology Club. Last year, the club created a pollinator patch at the front of the school and has worked with the site team to cut back mowing in key areas, helping wildflowers and pollinators like bees and butterflies thrive.

St Luke’s is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, has a firm focus on supporting communities and creating positive change.

Mr Harrison Littler, Headteacher at St Luke’s C of E School, said:

“It’s brilliant to see the students so engaged with improving our school environment. Planting the trees was a real team effort, and we’re all looking forward to seeing the space develop and more wildlife visiting over time.”

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

“Projects like this give students a real sense of ownership and connection with the natural world. It’s wonderful to see St Luke’s leading the way in creating greener, more wildlife-friendly spaces.”

Students from Exmouth Community College jumped at the chance to experience life at one of the world’s best universities this term.

Dozens of students from years 10, 11 and 12 made the trip to Oxford for a day at Exeter College, the University of Oxford’s link college for schools in the south west.

The group took part in some critical thinking and academic taster sessions, before being treated to lunch in the refectory and a tour of the college. 

The visit is just one of the events Exmouth Community College runs each year to prepare students for what comes next on their academic journey. As part of the Ted Wragg Trust, the college has a strong focus on helping students make well-informed and ambitious decisions about their futures.

The college is also part of the Somerset, Devon and Cornwall Residential Programme run in partnership with the same Oxford college. The programme is designed to give year 12 students from under represented backgrounds a taste of life at Oxford and raise their confidence before applying to an elite university. 

Closer to home, ECC has forged strong relations with the University of Exeter, through its ‘Exeter Scholars’ programme. The programme is designed to give students the opportunity to find out more about university, develop a passion for a chosen subject, and gain first-hand experience of student life at their local university.

Tom Inman, Headteacher at Exmouth Community College said: 

 “At Exmouth Community College, we are big believers in nurturing ambition and wish to further develop the opportunities for our young people to fulfil their considerable potential. The Oxford trip was a great  success - it was a real joy to hear our students so excited about all the possibilities the future holds. We look forward to building on this with our exciting new 'scholars' programme".

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

 “Trips like these are much more than a day out exploring somewhere new, they’re about our students being inspired for the future. At the Ted Wragg Trust, we are committed to helping all our students realise their full potential and I'm delighted to see our students embracing these opportunities.”