Five pupils at Cranbrook Education Campus’s Eco-Club represented the school at the Met Office’s Climate Camp.

The day included a tour of the innovative building, meeting staff in climate-focused roles such as climatologists, and taking part in hands-on workshops that explored practical ways to tackle climate change and promote sustainability.

The visit inspired pupils to think about ways to make their school more environmentally sustainable, building on projects already underway at Cranbrook Education Campus (CEC). Before Christmas, pupils planted over 90 new trees across the campus, and they have been getting involved with the nearby Elbury Farm woodland project, working with the National Trust to plant trees and help shape the developing woodland.

As part of the Ted Wragg Trust, CEC encourages pupils to care for their environment and understand the impact of their actions. Through these initiatives, pupils gain hands-on experience of sustainability and conservation, putting the school’s environmental values into action both on campus and beyond.

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

“Our pupils really threw themselves into every part of the Climate Camp, from exploring the labs to the hands-on workshops. They came back buzzing with ideas about how to make CEC even more sustainable, and it’s wonderful to see their enthusiasm translate into action on campus and beyond.”

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

“We are proud of the pupils at Cranbrook for taking an active role in environmental projects both on campus and in the local area. Hands-on experiences like these help young people understand the importance of caring for the world around them and the positive impact they can have within their community.”

Marine Academy Primary, in St Budeaux, Plymouth, has been awarded the British Council’s prestigious International School Award in recognition of its "inspirational" work to bring the world into the classroom.

The award celebrates schools that do exceptional work in global education. Bringing an international dimension into the curriculum is at the heart of the British Council’s work, helping young people gain the cultural understanding and skills they need for life and work in today’s interconnected world.

The 2026 award ceremony took place this month in Westminster and was attended by Members of Parliament and representatives from schools across the UK.

Part of the Ted Wragg Trust, Marine Academy Primary’s international work has included an enrichment trip to Spain exploring the environment, celebrating Día de los Muertos, and taking part in a lively Spanish dancing workshop. Pupils at the school enjoy discovering and engaging with other cultures. The school’s International Cuisine event brought families together to share foods from around the world, strengthening the community’s global identity.

With strong progress in primary languages and participation in a Reading University longitudinal research study on this topic, pupils are gaining practical skills and cultural knowledge that will support them as they continue their education and engage with the wider world.

Ms Emma Bell, Strengthening Communities and International Leader at Marine Academy Primary, said:

“This award celebrates the children of Marine Academy Primary, who shine in their understanding of the wider world. By bringing global learning into everyday lessons, our pupils gain the cultural awareness and skills they need to thrive in today’s interconnected world."

Scott McDonald, Chief Executive of the British Council

“The school has earned this prestigious award through its inspirational international work and links with schools abroad. The International School Award is a chance for schools to be recognised for their important work bringing the world into their classrooms. The desire to build on their international work shines through and it is with utmost pride that we celebrate their achievements.

“By embedding an international dimension in children’s education, these schools are preparing their students for successful lives in the UK or further afield, empowering them to be global citizens, and are creating vital opportunities in an increasingly global economy.”

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

“We are incredibly proud of the pupils and staff at Marine Academy Primary for the creativity and commitment they bring to international learning. Achieving the British Council International School Award reflects the curiosity, enthusiasm, and global awareness our children demonstrate every day, and it’s a testament to the whole school community.”

    

Children from Exwick Heights Primary School had a memorable day at RSPCA Little Valley Animal Shelter in Exeter, getting hands-on experience while working towards their Torbay & Devon Civic Award.

As part of their active citizenship in the local community, the year 6 pupils suggested visiting a charity and were warmly welcomed to the shelter, where they learned about caring for animals in need, asked questions, shared ideas, and even made dog toys for the animals.

Highlights of the visit included helping to socialise very young kittens and meeting some playful ferrets, bringing plenty of smiles to pupils and staff alike. Pupils are now eager to share their new knowledge about caring for pets with the rest of the school and their families at home.

The visit also offered a glimpse into the work of RSPCA Little Valley, a local charity which has been caring for, rehabilitating, and rehoming animals in Devon for over 30 years, relying almost entirely on community support to continue their vital work.

Part of Ted Wragg Trust, Exwick Heights’ mission is to ensure academic excellence and personal empowerment for all pupils through their values of kindness, curiosity and determination, qualities which were all on show during this visit.

Gemma Wills, Headteacher at Exwick Heights Primary School, said:

“It was a real joy to see our pupils so engaged throughout the day. They loved socialising the kittens and met the funniest ferrets with the loveliest personalities. It was a great way for them to learn about caring for animals and have fun while putting our values of kindness, curiosity and determination into practice.”

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

“Sometimes the most valuable lessons happen outside the classroom. Trips like this show children how they can make a positive difference in their community while enjoying themselves and building friendships.”

  

Student leaders from Isca Academy visited Devon County Hall to see local government in action and learn about leadership and civic responsibility.

During the visit, students toured the historic building, including the council chamber, and met Donna Manson, Chief Executive Officer of Devon County Council, who shared her career journey and offered advice on ambitions, leadership, and professional development.

Students were filmed interviewing Jack Newton, Deputy Director of Inclusion and Learning, and Councillor Richard Jefferies, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, putting their prepared questions to the officers and discussing how young people can be more involved in local initiatives. They also shared ideas with the council’s media team on how best to reach and engage young people.

The visit builds on recent student-led activity in the community. Last month, members of Isca’s Student Council presented findings from a youth voice consultation at Wynstream Primary School to Wonford COGS (Community Organisations and Groups), highlighting younger pupils’ views on local youth provision.  

Part of the Ted Wragg Trust, Isca Academy continues to prioritise student leadership and youth voice, providing meaningful opportunities for students to engage with their communities and develop skills that support future study and careers.

Mrs Vicki Joyce, Headteacher at Isca Academy, said:

 “I am incredibly proud of our student leaders for the maturity and confidence they showed during the visit. Being at County Hall was a fantastic opportunity to engage with local decision-makers, learn about civic leadership, and see how their voices can make a real difference.”

Reem, a year 9 student said:

“The opportunity to visit County Hall was inspiring. I was able to share my experiences and I felt like my opinion was really listened to. I also liked hearing about Mr Newton’s and Mrs Manson’s goals, and their aspirations fo

Year 8 students from West Exe School marked the start of the National Year of Reading 2026 with an inspiring live session from children’s author Tom Palmer.

 

During the event, students heard about Tom’s writing journey, gained insights into his storytelling process, and learned how to turn their own passions and interests into engaging stories. The session encouraged confidence, creativity, and a love of reading and writing among pupils.

 

Tom Palmer, bestselling author of the Football Academy and Foul Play series, captivated students with his energy and enthusiasm, motivating them to explore their own creativity.

 

West Exe School, part of the Ted Wragg Trust, places a strong focus on literacy and developing confident, creative writers, giving students opportunities to engage with authors and real-world experiences that bring learning to life. 

 

The session with Tom Palmer also links directly to the school’s English curriculum, which aims to develop students into thoughtful readers, writers, speakers, and critical thinkers. Pupils explore literature in depth, consider the historical, social, and cultural contexts behind texts, and are encouraged to express ideas with clarity and confidence.

 

Julie Fossey, headteacher at West Exe School, said:

“It was a joy to see our students so inspired. Sessions like this bring reading and writing to life, helping pupils connect their classroom learning with real-world creativity and giving them the confidence to explore their own ideas. It’s going to be a really exciting year.”

 

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

“We’re delighted to see students inspired by authors like Tom Palmer. Experiences like this open up possibilities, spark imagination, and show young people just how far their creativity and ideas can take them.”

Exmouth Community College (ECC) has received a £25,000 grant from East Devon District Council’s Carbon Action Fund (CAF) to upgrade the floodlights on its pitches to energy-efficient LED lighting. The school’s floodlit astroturf pitches are the only year-round facilities of their kind in Exmouth, widely used by local sports clubs, schools, and the wider community.

The school, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, celebrated the installation with a launch event attended by Mayor Graham Deasy, governors, student ambassadors, trust staff, and councillors, with music performances by ECC students and speeches highlighting the project’s community and environmental impact. Exeter City player and former ECC student Sonny Cox, also came along as a guest of honour to officially open the revamped pitch and switch on the lights.

ECC estimates the LED upgrade will save around £7,000 a year, enabling them to reinvest in community access and activities. The upgraded facilities will enhance accessibility for all users, providing more inclusive opportunities to access sport for both students and the local community. At the launch event, Tom Inman, ECC headteacher highlighted the true impact of the upgraded facilities, with one partially sighted student now able to fully enjoy playing on the pitch thanks to the improved lighting.

The Carbon Action Fund is part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) programme, which provides councils with central government funding to support local growth, community initiatives, and sustainable projects. 

Tom Inman, Headteacher at Exmouth Community College said: “A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this possible and to all who joined us to celebrate the launch. I’m incredibly proud of our students, who performed beautifully during the event, and grateful to Exeter City player and former student Sonny Cox for officially opening our improved pitch. We’re delighted to have received this vital funding, enabling us to not just take meaningful steps towards reducing our carbon footprint as part of commitment to sustainability, but also increase access to sport and invest in the pitch for our community.”

Elizabeth Lee, a governor at  ECC who attended the launch said:

 "These pitches are a true asset for Exmouth, providing opportunities for sport and strengthening community connections throughout the year. Seeing students and local clubs benefit from modern, sustainable facilities shows just how valuable these improvements are for everyone."