Students from All Saints Academy Plymouth (ASAP) swapped the classroom for the world of elite motorsport during a visit to the headquarters of the Williams F1 team in Oxfordshire.

The Year 7s took part in a hands-on STEM workshop where they designed and tested a Formula One nose cone before presenting their ideas to Williams staff at the team’s Grove base.

The group also toured the Williams museum, tried out racing simulators and learned about the team’s history, which includes championship winning drivers such as Nigel Mansell, Keke Rosberg and Damon Hill.

Williams finished fifth in last season’s constructors’ championship, with drivers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz both securing top ten finishes in the drivers’ standings. The Grove factory, around 12 miles south west of Oxford, is where the team’s cars are built and prepared for each race.

The visit gave students a hands-on insight into careers in engineering, design and technology, and showed how classroom learning links to real-world industries. The school has a strong ongoing focus on motorsport and engineering, including its GreenPower team, which gives students regular opportunities to design, build and race electric cars while developing practical skills, teamwork and problem-solving.

At All Saints Academy Plymouth, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, the curriculum combines academic study with practical and professional experiences, helping pupils prepare for apprenticeships, local industry, and higher education. The school also runs a wide ranging careers programme to help students explore future pathways and ambitions.

Scott Simpson-Horne, Head Teacher at All Saints Academy, said:

“The excitement on our pupils’ faces said it all. Opportunities like this allow young people to see where science, engineering and creativity can take them, and to imagine themselves working in industries like F1 one day. We are extremely grateful to parents and carers for their support, and to the Williams Racing team for such a memorable and inspiring visit.”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said: 

“Exciting experiences like this show how powerful learning can be when it moves beyond the classroom. Giving pupils access to world-class organisations helps raise aspirations, build confidence and open doors to future careers.”  

 

Pupils from Marine Academy Primary swapped their classrooms for platforms this term, travelling by train from St Budeaux to Plymouth railway station to bring their class story, The Runaway Train, to life.

The reception children took part in guided tours of Plymouth railway station, discovering what happens behind the scenes to keep trains running safely and on time. Station staff explained different areas of the site and answered pupils’ questions, helping them learn words linked to travel, safety, and the story.

A highlight of the visit was meeting “Duffy”, the train driver from The Runaway Train. The children were delighted to meet the character in real life and speak to him about his role.

During one of the visits, pupils also met Chloe, the Assistant Station Manager, who showed them around the station, along with two British Transport Police officers who spoke about their role in keeping passengers safe. Pupils were even invited to sit inside a police car and hear the siren, an exciting moment that got the children talking and asking more questions.

In Early Years, pupils follow a story-based curriculum designed to immerse children in carefully chosen texts, introducing key vocabulary through memorable, real-world experiences. Visits like the trip to Plymouth railway station link classroom learning to the world outside school.

Marine Academy Primary, part of the Ted Wragg Trust, supports this approach by funding six extracurricular trips or visits for every pupil each year, helping to broaden horizons, build confidence, and strengthen communication skills from an early age.

Georgina Reid, Headteacher at Marine Academy Primary, said:

“The children loved seeing how a train station works and meeting the people who work there. It was brilliant to see them using new words linked to travel, safety, and the story, asking questions, and sharing their experiences with each other. There’s no better way to learn."

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

“Trips like this help children see how what they learn in school connects with the world around them. At the Ted Wragg Trust, we are proud to support experiences that spark curiosity and bring learning to life.”

Aspiring diplomats from West Exe School proudly represented their school at a Model United Nations (MUN) conference hosted by Exeter College.

Taking on the roles of delegates from Argentina, Cuba, Slovenia, and Spain, the students spent the day debating key international issues, including anthropogenic climate change, nuclear activity in outer space, and geoengineering.

The West Exe team asked insightful questions, shared their opinions, and delivered confident speeches, all while debating against older and more experienced participants. For many, it was their first experience of an MUN conference.

West Exe School, part of the Ted Wragg Trust, prides itself on providing students with opportunities to shine in and out of the classroom, helping them develop practical skills and a strong understanding of the world around them.

The conference allowed pupils to build debating, public speaking, and critical thinking skills while learning about international relations and global diplomacy. It links closely to the school’s wider curriculum, including courses such as theology, ethics and citizenship, sociology, and the West Exe Baccalaureate, all designed to encourage thoughtful discussion and help students explore their self-awareness and role in the world.

Julie Fossey, headteacher at West Exe School, said:

“We are incredibly proud of how our students approached the conference, particularly as this was the first Model United Nations event for many of them. They spoke maturely about complex issues and represented the school extremely well.  The MUN and debating form a critical part of the work we do to prepare our young people to be active citizens in the world around them. We're empowering them to go out and make the world a better place!”

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

“Experiences like this help young people think carefully about the world they live in and the part they can play in shaping its future. It is encouraging to see West Exe students engaging so positively and developing their debating, public speaking and critical thinking skills.”

  

Cranbrook Education Campus (CEC) has been selected as a ‘Lead School’ for the Department for Education’s national ‘Attendance and Behaviour Hubs’ programme, recognising the school’s strong, inclusive approach to building positive culture, improving attendance and supporting children and families to thrive.

CEC is among a small group of schools nationally chosen to take on this role, working with schools across the South West and beyond to share effective practice, provide targeted support and help strengthen school cultures rooted in belonging, high expectations and care. Cranbrook Education Campus, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, is the third school in the trust to receive this hub status from the DfE. 

The designation reflects CEC’s sustained work to create a safe, calm and welcoming environment for pupils of all ages, underpinned by clear routines, strong relationships and a commitment to inclusion. Recent Ofsted inspection findings highlighted that pupils are happy and safe, with a positive atmosphere where learning is rarely disrupted.

As a ‘Behaviour and Attendance Hub’, Cranbrook Education Campus will work alongside other schools to:

• Provide targeted, one to one support to school leaders to strengthen behaviour culture and attendance systems
• Host open days, professional learning events and opportunities for schools to share best practice
• Support schools to develop safe, supportive environments where pupils feel a strong sense of belonging
• Use data thoughtfully to identify challenges early and secure sustainable improvement

The Department for Education has said that, over time, the programme will provide intensive support to hundreds of schools most in need, while thousands more will be able to access hub expertise as the programme expands.

Strong attendance and positive school culture are widely recognised as key foundations for children’s learning, wellbeing and future opportunities. CEC’s approach balances high expectations with compassion, ensuring that support is put in place early and that families are worked with closely and collaboratively.

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

“At CEC, we believe that every child deserves to feel safe, valued and supported to succeed. This designation recognises the work of our staff, pupils and families in creating a culture where belonging and ambition go hand in hand. We are proud to work alongside other schools, sharing what has worked for us while learning from their contexts and experiences too.”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“The selection of Cranbrook Education Campus by the Department for Education reflects Cranbrook’s thoughtful, inclusive approach to behaviour and attendance, rooted in strong relationships, clarity and care. We are pleased that this work will now support schools across the region, helping more children to feel connected to school and ready to learn.”

Two pupils at Matford Brook Academy took to the stage to talk to their school about diabetes.

Year 7 pupils Iris and Emily spoke confidently and bravely at a special assembly, giving fellow students and staff the chance to learn more about diabetes and how it affects those living with the condition.

There are around 35,000 children and young people under the age of 19 with diabetes in the UK.

The assembly was held to mark World Diabetes Day, an annual event that raises awareness of the condition. It takes place each year on the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who, along with Charles Best, discovered therapeutic insulin in 1922.

Part of the Ted Wragg Trust, the assembly reflects Matford Brook Academy’s belief that pupils can make a real difference in the world and that they are the authors of their own story.

Emily Simpson-Horne, Headteacher at Matford Brook Academy, said:

“We’re so proud of Iris and Emily for standing up and sharing what they’ve learned about diabetes. Their assembly gave everyone at the school a chance to understand the condition better and think about how it affects people’s lives.”

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

“It’s wonderful to see pupils taking the lead on spreading awareness about important issues like diabetes. Moments like this show the difference young people can make when they speak up and share their knowledge, well done Iris and Emily.”

Students at Tor Bridge High had a hands-on opportunity to develop their tech skills through two interactive workshops. The sessions were led by Robert Wiltshire from Tech Cornwall, in partnership with The Tech Frontier.

Year 9s joined the “Light Up Lids” workshop, coding their own baseball caps to light up in different sequences and colours. Year 10 students took part in “Tech Titans: Master the Art of Website Building,” creating websites based on project briefs covering music, sport, travel, or eco-living.

Tech Cornwall is a non-profit supporting the South West’s tech community. It has teamed up with social enterprise The Tech Frontier to strengthen the regional tech ecosystem and create more inclusive pathways into technology careers.

The workshops gave students practical experience in coding, problem-solving, and creative digital design, bringing the technology curriculum to life. They also gave a taste of real-world tech skills, helping students explore future study and career options.

Part of the Ted Wragg Trust, Tor Bridge High aims to equip students with the skills they need for life beyond school, helping them gain independence, confidence, and the tools to reach their full potential.

Tracy Stephenson, headteacher at Tor Bridge High, said:

“These workshops gave our students hands-on experience with real-world tech skills, giving them a glimpse of the careers of the future and helping them see how their learning can connect beyond the classroom.”

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

“Opportunities like this support our mission to transform lives through education. By bringing real-world expertise into our classrooms, we can empower young people to build new skills and explore future pathways they may not have considered.”