Students from All Saints Academy Plymouth (ASAP) have started taking part in Empowering Girls mentoring sessions. A selection of Year 9 girls are working with inspirational local women who have volunteered their time for six weeks to support them.

The aim is to have the programme running throughout the year so that as many girls as possible can take part and benefit from the mentors’ skills and experience.

The mentors hope to build up the girls' communication skills and confidence to help them while they are still at school and in the future. The mentoring arrangement can also lead to work experience placements when they are in Year 10.

The mentors for this programme represent a wide variety of industries and the Empowering Girls programme has been designed to support girls with their confidence, raise aspirations and provide students with positive female role models.

The school has also started an inhouse programme of events where they invite speakers from across Plymouth to share their career experience. So far this has included speakers from Vosper’s marketing department, Plymouth City College and Caerus.

All Saints Academy Plymouth, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, aims to provide young people with access to the best opportunities and raise aspirations by showing students what they could become. Staff help students feel confident in their next steps and get every student on track for a bright future in a career that they will find fulfilling.

The school’s wider commitment to student development is reflected in a range of extracurricular activities aimed at boosting skills and encouraging creativity. Students can take part in clubs such as the Lego Engineering Club, which is part of a national and international competition involving coding and problem-solving; Green Power Club, where students design and race electric cars; and Chess Club, where young minds can test their strategic thinking skills.

Additionally, the Plymouth Argyle Premier League Inspires Community Project offers students an opportunity to build resilience and learn valuable skills through community-based activities. For students looking for something more hands-on, the Chicken and Chat and Takeaway Cooking Club—run in partnership with Barnardo’s—encourages creativity in the kitchen while promoting social skills and community building.

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

“We are incredibly proud to be part of the Empowering Girls mentoring programme here at All Saints Academy Plymouth. We are committed to helping grow the next cohort of female leaders across Plymouth. This is not just about supporting our girls during their school years but empowering them for life after school. The chance to engage with such inspirational female mentors is invaluable, and we are excited to see how this initiative helps build confidence, increase aspirations, and open up exciting career opportunities for our students.”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“At the Ted Wragg Trust, we are committed to providing young people with the best possible opportunities to help them thrive. I am delighted that All Saints Academy Plymouth is taking part in the Empowering Girls programme, as it’s a perfect example of how we are ensuring that every student has the chance to reach their full potential. By offering mentoring, career insights, and a wide range of extracurricular activities, we are helping our students develop into confident, skilled, and forward-thinking individuals ready to take on the challenges of the future.”

Students at Isca Academy have been given a unique and exciting opportunity to cast their votes on important local issues, making their voices heard in the community. 

This term, each tutor group received information provided by the Devon Youth Council, outlining key issues that directly impact their local area. After reviewing the material, students were able to vote for the Devon specific topic they care most about and the votes were then counted and shared with the Youth Council, allowing the students to directly influence local policy. Students were able to select from topics including mental health support, public transport, the environment, inequality and inclusion.

Devon Youth Council is a group of 11-23 year olds who aim to get the voice of young people heard and make a positive change. Devon Youth Council Network members have the opportunity to work alongside Devon’s key decision makers and if a young person wants to make a difference in their community or bring about a positive change surrounding a specific issue, then Devon Youth Council can help support them to do this.

Isca Academy, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, is committed to civic engagement and offering students a real chance to actively participate in shaping their community. The votes cast will play a role in guiding decisions on local issues, proving that every vote truly counts.

Kate Hutchings, Senior Leader Personal Development & Community at Isca Academy said:

“We are thrilled that our students were able to participate in this important voting process. Giving them the opportunity to engage in local issues and directly influence policy is a powerful way to promote civic responsibility. At Isca Academy we are committed to developing the whole child, and this experience demonstrates how we encourage our students to take an active role in their communities and understand the impact of their voices.”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“Supporting students in becoming active citizens is at the heart of our mission at the Ted Wragg Trust. We are proud of the students at Isca Academy for their thoughtful engagement in this voting initiative with the Devon Youth Council. Their participation in local decision-making is a wonderful example of how we are nurturing the next generation of leaders and changemakers.”

All Saints Academy Plymouth (ASAP) is celebrating a major victory after Headteacher Scott Simpson-Horne won the prestigious Head of Fish competition, part of the Fish in Schools Hero programme. 

The competition saw school leaders from across the country demonstrate their commitment to teaching practical life skills to students, and Mr. Simpson-Horne's creativity and passion for healthy eating stood out.

Mr Simpson-Horne, who is deeply committed to promoting health and wellbeing among students, eagerly took up the challenge to teach a hands-on lesson about cooking a healthier version of fish and chips. 

The demonstration, which took place with a group of Year 7, 8 and 9 students showcased a variety of fish types – salmon, cod, and basa – alongside oven-baked sweet potato wedges, homemade tartare sauce, and a freshly made salad. The lesson was designed to teach students not only cooking techniques but also key topics such as sustainability, shopping locally, and budgeting for healthy meals.

As part of the competition, Mr. Simpson-Horne’s session included an interactive approach, allowing all students to participate in each element of the cooking process. Many students were introduced to new foods they had never tried before, and the session culminated in everyone enjoying the food that had been prepared. 

In the end the judges decided that All Saints was the ultimate winner but also picked two runners up. Each of the schools will now receive £100s worth of fresh fish from Wing of St Mawes – The Cornish Fishmonger, which will be used in food and nutrition lessons.

All Saints Academy Plymouth, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, is committed to, not only academic excellence, but also the personal development of students, ensuring they learn life skills that promote healthier lifestyles, sustainability, and independence.

The Fish in Schools Hero programme aims to give students the chance to prepare, cook, and enjoy fish before they leave school, helping them develop a lifelong appreciation for seafood. The initiative is funded by the Fishmongers’ Company’s Fisheries Charitable Trust and managed by the Food Teachers Centre and ensures that food teachers across the UK have the confidence and training to introduce fish-based dishes into the curriculum. 

Launched in 2020, the programme now extends throughout the UK. Head Of Fish is a yearly initiative open to all schools nationally to encourage headteachers to teach a lesson with fish to a class of Years 7, 8 and 9s. With the headteacher acting as a role model, they hope that it will encourage more students to prepare cook and taste fish and seafood. The programme is supported by local heroes: fishmongers, fish-loving chefs and fish suppliers. For more information, please visit https://foodteacherscentre.co.uk/fish-heroes/

Dr Eleanor Adamson from the Fishmongers Company said:

“I am extremely impressed by the willingness of Head Teachers across the country to put on an apron and teach a practical lesson with fish to KS3 students”.

Louise Davies, founder of the Food Teachers Centre said:

“I was particularly impressed with the creativity and passion shown by the All Saints Academy Head Teacher and the way that students were so obviously engaged with the lesson”.

Simon Gray, Food Teachers Centre, Senior Associate and the Fish in Schools Hero Programme Manager said: 

“The Head Teacher looked as though he was really enjoying himself, there was great interaction with the students and use of IT evidenced in the photographs. He was a standout for all the judges.”

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

“I’m passionate about helping students develop essential life skills that they can carry with them beyond school. It was also an opportunity to have a bit of fun and cook together – who wouldn’t jump at the chance of doing that?! As you know, our children are just brilliant and having the opportunity to share a ‘home-cooked’ meal with them was a real highlight.”

This month Cranbrook Education Campus, (CEC) joined forces with the charity Sustrans to host a Walk and Wheel Active Breakfast, an event designed to inspire families to choose walking, cycling, or scooting as part of their daily commute to school.

The event was a resounding success, with families flocking to the school gates on foot, bike, or scooter, eager to enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet as a reward for their commitment to active travel. The breakfast was also supported by Morrisons who provided a £20 donation.

Active travel is about more than just getting to school—it’s about promoting healthier habits, reducing traffic congestion, and building a sense of community. This event was an opportunity to highlight the numerous benefits of walking, cycling, and scooting, not only for the individual but for the entire school.

Key benefits of active travel highlighted during the event include:

• Boosting pupils’ learning potential: Pupils who walk or cycle to school arrive more alert, energised, and ready to learn.
• Cleaner air for all: Less car traffic at school gates means reduced pollution and a healthier environment.
• Improved well-being: A simple way to incorporate more physical activity into daily routines, boosting both mental and physical health.
• Stronger community ties: Walking or cycling together strengthens relationships and encourages social connections.

Cranbrook Education Campus, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, is committed to creating a vibrant, healthy, and sustainable school environment for all its pupils, staff, and families. The Walk and Wheel Active Breakfast is just one of many initiatives aimed at encouraging active travel and promoting well-being within the school. 

Sustrans is a UK based walking, wheeling and cycling charity, and the custodian of the National Cycle Network. According to Cycling UK if just one child cycled to school instead of travelling by car for a year, it would save almost half a tonne in carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to growing eight trees for a decade or charging 58,388 mobile phones.

Krisha Gandhi, Head of Primary & Senior Deputy Head of Campus, at Cranbrook Education Campus said:

“We’re so proud of the fantastic turnout for our Big Walk and Wheel Active Breakfast. It’s been incredible to see our school community come together to make such a positive impact on the environment and their health. These small changes can lead to big results, and this is just the beginning!”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“We are delighted to see our Cranbrook Education Campus community embracing active travel with such enthusiasm. This event is a fantastic example of how we can come together to build healthier habits, reduce our environmental impact, and strengthen our community. It’s inspiring to see the positive changes happening, and we are excited to continue supporting initiatives that create a sustainable and well-connected future for our families.”

Whipton Barton Federation pupils have been making a splash this term with a series of incredible trips to the National Marine Aquarium, giving them hands-on learning experiences that have enriched their understanding of marine life and ocean conservation.

Reception pupils were the first to embark on an unforgettable adventure to the aquarium, where they had the chance to discover the wonders of the ocean. Their day was filled with engaging challenges, such as finding camouflaged creatures, spotting animals with more than ten legs, and discovering animals with hard shells. The children were thrilled to explore a wide range of sea life, from sharks and octopuses to the cheeky turtle, Friday. The visit culminated in an exciting diving show that left the children in awe of the wonders of the deep.

Thanks to a generous grant from The Northbrook Community Trust, Year 5 pupils also had the opportunity to visit the aquarium as part of their Biomes topic in Geography. This fully funded trip was packed with enriching activities, including an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour, a ‘Climate Conundrum’ workshop, and a thrilling virtual reality experience that allowed them to dive into the vibrant world of coral reefs. Pupils explored the effects of carbon dioxide on ocean waters, studied coral up close, and learnt about the vital role of marine biologists and aquarium rangers. The visit also provided invaluable insights into potential careers in marine conservation, sparking curiosity and a passion for environmental stewardship.

As part of the Ted Wragg Trust, Whipton Barton Federation is committed to enriching young people’s educational experiences by offering exciting opportunities that support learning beyond the classroom. These aquarium trips have not only encouraged a love for science but have also raised awareness of the critical need for environmental conservation.

Louise Moretta, Executive Headteacher at Whipton Barton Federation, shared her pride in the pupils’ engagement:

“We are incredibly proud of how curious and enthusiastic our pupils were during these fantastic visits. They had the chance to embark on an unforgettable adventure while gaining invaluable knowledge about the marine world. I would like to extend my thanks to The Northbrook Community Trust for their generous donation, which enabled our Year 5 pupils and teachers to experience what they described as the best school trip ever. Experiences like these are crucial in igniting curiosity and fostering a lifelong love of learning.”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“At the Ted Wragg Trust, we are committed to providing enriching experiences that cultivate young people’s curiosity and passion for the world around them. These recent trips to Plymouth Aquarium were an incredible opportunity to blend classroom learning with real-world exploration and have inspired our pupils to think critically about ocean conservation and the importance of protecting our marine ecosystems.”

Students from Queen Elizabeth’s School (QE) have taken part in a Euroscola session in Strasbourg this term.

As part of the European Parliament’s Ambassador Schools (EPAS) network, the school’s students had the incredible opportunity to immerse themselves in the heart of European politics.  

The Euroscola Programme invites students from across Europe to step into the shoes of a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for a day, engaging in debates, negotiations, and voting on real European issues. Students collaborated with their peers from across Europe, exploring critical topics surrounding democracy, human rights, and the future of Europe. 

Queen Elizabeth’s School students participated in a unique Q&A session with Martin Hojsík, Vice-President of the European Parliament and also met with the Head of Unit from the Parliament’s Legal Service. This immersive experience was designed to encourage an understanding of European values and strengthen youth engagement with democratic processes.

At QE, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, they believe that trips and enrichment activities offer not just educational value but a tremendous opportunity to nurture students confidence, ambition and cultural capital. The school aims to provide all students with opportunities they wouldn't otherwise have and take them to places they might not otherwise get to visit.

Ms Paula Smith, Headteacher at Queen Elizabeth’s School said:

“We were absolutely delighted to be part of such an enriching experience in Strasbourg. This was a fantastic opportunity for our students to engage directly with political figures and to experience the democratic process in action. It was a once-in-a-lifetime event that will undoubtedly shape their understanding of politics and inspire them to become active participants in the democratic process.”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“At the Ted Wragg Trust we are committed to providing young people with opportunities that broaden their horizons and allow them to engage with global issues. Taking part in the Euroscola programme was an exceptional opportunity for our students to develop a deeper understanding of the world. We are incredibly proud of the QE students who represented the UK and took part in such a prestigious event.”