Tom Palmer, known for the Football Academy and Foul Play series, delivered a live session to Year 8 students at West Exe School to mark the start of the National Year of Reading 2026. During the visit, Mr Palmer shared his writing journey, discussed his approach to storytelling, and encouraged pupils to use their own interests as the foundation for creating stories.

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."

West Exe School, part of the Ted Wragg Trust, puts a strong emphasis on literacy and confident communication, aiming to develop creative writers and critical thinkers. The session with Mr Palmer also supported the school’s English curriculum, which encourages students to analyse literature within its historical, social, and cultural context and to express their ideas with clarity.

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."

The school says author visits play a key role in helping students connect classroom learning with real-world experiences.

Evie prepared a cheesy vegetable pasta, while Ruby cooked a vegetable curry.

Both students said: "We really enjoyed the experience, it gave us an opportunity to improve our cooking skills and knowledge."

Springboard FutureChef is the UK’s largest schools-based culinary competition, designed to help students build practical skills and confidence while connecting them with industry professionals.

Julie Fossey, headteacher at West Exe School, said: "Evie and Ruby represented the school brilliantly. It's a joy to see them put their skills into action and live out their love of cooking in a real-world setting."

West Exe School, part of the Ted Wragg Trust, emphasises opportunities for students to shine both inside and outside the classroom.

The school offers a food preparation and nutrition course, which develops culinary skills alongside an understanding of food science, nutrition, and healthy eating.

Students are taught to plan and prepare affordable, nutritious meals and are encouraged to be creative in the kitchen, gaining skills that support personal wellbeing and the ability to cook for others.

Students from across the school took to the stage with confidence and enthusiasm, delivering a memorable programme of songs, music and performances that truly captured the spirit of Christmas. From joyful carols to lively performances, every act was met with well-deserved applause.

The concert was a reflection of the hard work and dedication shown by students and staff throughout the term. It was heart-warming to see the school hall filled with families, friends and staff all coming together to support our young performers and share in such a special occasion.

A huge thank you goes to all the students who performed, the staff who helped organise and rehearse the concert and the families who joined us for the evening. Your support made the night truly unforgettable.

What a night, and what a way to end the term! We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a happy, restful break.

A number of standout moments filled the evening with pride. Jack was awarded the Greens Student Award, recognising not only his hard work but how his dedication inspires those around him. Tom received the prestigious Ivor Doble Cup for Academic Achievement, a testament to his outstanding dedication to learning. The title of Student of the Year was awarded to Stan, whose commitment, contribution and spirit have enriched the whole school community.

Reflecting on the cohort, Headteacher Ms Fossey said: “This year group has shown us what it truly means to live our values every day. They support one another, challenge themselves and rise to every opportunity with determination and integrity. We could not be more proud of the young people they have become.”

The evening was a fitting celebration of a year group who leave West Exe ready to thrive, live great lives and make the world a better place.

The award reflects West Exe’s rapid growth in Classical Civilisation, which now has 84 students studying the GCSE across Years 9 to 11. Staff say interest has risen steadily since the course launched, with many pupils drawn to topics such as ancient history, mythology and classical literature. Students have also had opportunities to broaden their learning beyond the classroom. This year they visited the University of Exeter, joining lectures from academic specialists and exploring subjects ranging from ancient society to the graffiti preserved in the ruins of Pompeii. 

To meet growing demand, West Exe has added a Latin and Roman Empire elective, giving younger students a chance to discover classical culture earlier in their school journey. Teachers say classical subjects help build strong literacy and language skills, boosting confidence across the curriculum. 

One Year 10 student said: “I love learning about Classics… It’s really interesting learning about ancient historical figures and myths of heroes and gods. Overall, it’s a really fun subject.” Another student in Year 11 added that the course had “re-ignited” their interest in ancient civilisations and helped them understand classical societies in a new way. 

The recognition comes during a strong year for West Exe, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust. This summer, three-quarters of students achieved passes in both GCSE English and Maths, placing the school well above the national average.

Headteacher Julie Fossey said the award highlights the school’s commitment to broadening opportunities: "Studying classical subjects strengthens literacy, problem-solving and analytical skills.” 

“I’m incredibly proud of the staff who have championed this programme and of our students, whose enthusiasm for learning inspires us every day.”

Ted Wragg Trust CEO Moira Marder praised the recognition, saying it reflects the school’s ambition to open up new academic pathways for young people.

The Impact Awards ceremony took place at Leeds Royal Armouries, with teachers and leaders from across the country gathering to celebrate excellent classical teaching in state schools.

Three quarters of students successfully passed both English and Maths, placing West Exe considerably above the national average yet again. As well as being a reason to celebrate, these results have also given students the best possible opportunity to pursue their first-choice next steps.

This year saw so many success stories including:

· Tom R who achieved eight grade 9s.

· Shingi C who achieved an incredible six GCSEs after just over a year in the UK.

· Natan R who got an amazing ten GCSEs with nine of those at grade 8 or above.

· Ella-Grace A who achieved ten GCSEs with 9 of them at grade 8 or above.

Julie Fossey, Headteacher at West Exe School said: "GCSE results day is a proud moment for our students and it’s been such a joy to celebrate their achievements with them and their families this morning. At West Exe, we are committed to educating our students so they live great lives and make the world a better place. This year, our students have embraced a range of opportunities beyond the classroom; they were a key part of our school becoming the first in Devon to be awarded the prestigious Gold award quality mark for our work on anti-bullying, and they took on the Ten Tors challenge, where they showed incredible resilience and teamwork. Our students have become confident, compassionate young people ready to thrive in whatever path they choose next, and we couldn’t be prouder of them. We wish them all the very best in their next chapter and can’t wait to hear how they get on in the future."

Moria Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said: “Congratulations to students at West Exe receiving their GCSE results today. These results are a proud moment for the school and whole community and reflect the support from their families, our dedicated staff and students determination, perseverance, and ambition. We’re so proud of the young people they’ve become and we look forward to seeing our students take their next steps with confidence and pride."

Sophia took first place in both the Triple Jump and Long Jump at the Devon event, setting a new personal best of 5.58 metres in Long Jump. Her success continued as she went on to claim gold again in both events at the Southwest Schools Championships.

Sophia's incredible performance has now earned her a place representing Devon at the National Finals, taking place at the prestigious English Schools' Athletics Championships in Birmingham from 10th–12th July.

At West Exe School, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, their offer is built on the values of Community, Opportunity, and Success. Every student is guaranteed access to a rich programme of experiences that support their personal growth. These opportunities are carefully planned to develop key attributes such as curiosity, kindness, ambition, resilience, adaptability, and pride. 

Julie Fossey, Headteacher at West Exe School said:

“We are all incredibly proud of Sophia, not just for her medals, but for the determination and focus she has shown throughout her training and competitions. She embodies the commitment and resilience we value so highly at our school.”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

 “Sophia’s achievement is a brilliant example of what our students can accomplish with the right support and ambition. Her success will inspire others across our trust to aim high and pursue their passions with confidence.”

The event, held earlier this month, provided students with the opportunity to showcase their ideas and skills, with their pitch for a project working with a local primary school earning them a well-deserved victory.

The ‘Unlocking Potential’ programme, run jointly by AQA and the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, aims to empower young people by developing their leadership, communication, and teamwork skills. The project is designed to support students in reaching their full potential by challenging them to come up with ideas that will have a positive impact on their community. 

In their pitch, Sophia, Tia, and Mason demonstrated how they planned to use their project to engage with younger students at a local primary school, providing mentorship and support that will have a lasting effect on both groups.

The Dame Kelly Holmes Trust was founded in 2008 by double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes to support retired athletes in transitioning from sport. Through mentoring programmes, the trust uses the skills and experience of athletes to inspire and transform the lives of young people. 

The school, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, prides itself on the West Exe Offer which includes an exciting extra-curricular programme including, the jazz band, Model United Nations, Ten Tors, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, climbing and school productions.  Over 100 students each year also volunteer for their growing Student Leadership Team which includes Student Parliament, the Green Team, Anti-Bullying Ambassadors, Primary Mentors, Sports Leaders and many more roles within the school community.

Julie Fossey, Headteacher at West Exe School said:

 “Everyone at West Exe School is incredibly proud of Sophia, Tia, and Mason for their outstanding achievement in securing funding for their social action project. This is a fantastic example of how our students are not only developing academically but also gaining valuable life skills through initiatives like the Unlocking Potential programme. Their commitment to making a positive difference in the community is inspiring, and we can’t wait to see how their project unfolds.”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

 “At the Ted Wragg Trust, we are committed to helping students develop both academically and personally.  Taking part in the Unlocking Potential programme is a great way to nurture young people’s leadership skills while also encouraging them to give back to their communities. We are proud to see students from West Exe School embrace this opportunity, and we look forward to following the success of Sophia, Tia, and Mason as they complete their project.”

Art Bytes is now in its 12th year and the programme supports not only the development of artistic skills but also mental health and emotional well-being by creating a space for young people to express themselves through art.  By engaging with this competition, students are given the chance to showcase their talent, gain confidence, and be part of an inclusive creative community.

The programme culminates in a series of events, including the Art Bytes Virtual Exhibition in June.  Once all artwork entries are submitted, the Art Bytes panel of expert judges will shortlist the top three entries from each participating school.  These shortlisted entries will be showcased in the virtual gallery, and an online public vote 3will open on the 3rd of April. 

The students with the most votes from each school will win a place in the annual virtual exhibition and the opportunity to be regional or national winners. Additionally, the school with the most votes will receive the Community Engagement Award, with a certificate and generous art prizes awarded from Art Bytes sponsors.

West Exe School, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, is being sponsored to take part in the competition by The Arts Society Exeter.  The Arts Society Exeter’s aim is to increase the understanding, knowledge and enjoyment of arts in the broadest sense by holding talks each month and by supporting arts education in the local community.

West Exe would like to encourage everyone to get involved and vote for their favourite artworks to help support young artists and contribute to the success of the programme.  For more information, and to vote visit the Art Bytes website: https://artbytes.co.uk/

Julie Fossey, Headteacher at West Exe School said:

"We are incredibly excited to participate in Art Bytes.  This programme offers our students a unique opportunity to display their artistic talents on a national platform while also nurturing their confidence, ambition, and cultural capital.  The support from The Arts Society Exeter has been invaluable, and we are proud to be part of this fantastic initiative."

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

"We are incredibly proud to support West Exe School’s participation in Art Bytes.  This programme offers students an exceptional opportunity to engage with creativity, develop vital skills for the future, and showcase their talents.  The partnership with The Arts Society Exeter is amazing and we are excited to see the positive impact participation in Art Bytes will have.”

The funds were raised through events held at the school last year and the school community couldn’t be prouder of the incredible support shown by students, families, and staff in raising this money. 

West Exe School, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, is committed to supporting local causes and making a positive impact on the community.  Exeter Food Action works tirelessly to provide emergency food relief to individuals and families in need, and this contribution will go a long way in helping them continue their important work.

Exeter Food Action started operation in 2011 as a joint community project planned by a small group, Devon and Cornwall Food Association (DCFA Exeter).  In 2017 they became Exeter Food Action and now employ one full-time and two part-time members of staff, and have a team of over 50 dedicated volunteers.

They work in partnership with FareShare South West to supply food for their Community Food Members in Exeter, East Devon and Torbay.  Their service is free and we are financed entirely by grants and donations. Together they distribute food to 67 food banks and community groups in Exeter and across Devon.

Julie Fossey, Headteacher at West Exe School said:

 "I am incredibly proud of our students and families for their hard work and generosity.  This donation is a testament to one of our core values at West Exe: community.  As a school, we are committed helping our young people make positive contributions to the world around them, and to strengthening our community.“

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

 "Everyone at the trust is thrilled to see the initiative and compassion shown by West Exe students in supporting Exeter Food Action.  This is just one example of the positive impact our schools are having on the community, and we look forward to supporting even more charitable projects in the future."

The young scientists designed and launched rockets, testing their flight ability and timing how far they travelled before landing.  The day was an inspiring opportunity for students to engage with STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects and experience the thrill of real-world science.  The event was a resounding success, inspiring a new generation of future scientists and space enthusiasts!

The National Space Academy was created with the ambition to integrate space science—encompassing exploration, astronomy, and satellite applications—into school science curriculums.  Its aim is to boost student attainment, support teachers with additional resources, and guide young people towards careers in science and engineering. 

Since its inception in 2008, the academy has grown from a regional programme in the East Midlands to a national initiative, now working with over 30 team members across the UK and internationally, including the European Space Agency.  Founded by Prof Anu Ojha, OBE, the academy continues to promote the belief that science education transcends boundaries, with space science offering global solutions to global challenges.

At West Exe School, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, the science curriculum is carefully sequenced to help students develop a deep understanding of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, with a focus on revisiting key concepts and building upon prior knowledge. 

The curriculum is designed to inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, while encouraging students to see the value of science in their everyday lives.  With a passionate and experienced team, West Exe offers practical experiments, STEM enrichment activities, and bespoke learning materials to support students' learning. The school’s commitment to science education is reflected in the success of its graduates, many of whom go on to study at prestigious institutions or pursue careers in fields like medicine.

Julie Fossey, Headteacher at West Exe School said:

“It was fantastic to see our students diving into the world of physics in such an exciting and practical way. These kinds of activities not only bring learning to life but also inspire our students to pursue future careers in STEM, possibly as future scientists, engineers, or even astronauts!"

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“This enriching experience is exactly what we aim to provide across our trust – opportunities for our students to engage with learning in a hands-on, interactive way.  STEM education is vital for shaping the innovators of tomorrow, and this rocket science activity was a perfect example of how to make learning memorable."

Young people have had the opportunity to take part in workshops and gain new skills. This has included a workshop on managing anxiety and a nutrition workshop learning about healthy eating. We had conversations about what life is like for a KS3 student, what issues they are facing, and what they would like to change in their community.

A group of the students then chose to train to become ‘Wellbeing Champions’ learning about mental health and wellbeing; how to look after themselves and support their peers. They designed two social action projects, the first of these being a poster for their fellow students to promote positive wellbeing. They wanted to get across the idea that even small things such as a wave and saying hello can improve how someone feels.

The second part of their project was based around the idea of helping older, more vulnerable members of the community. They designed wellbeing postcards for members of the Exeter City Community Trust Social Café with positive affirmations and well wishes on. These were personalised for the café members with drawings of their favourite things on. The students then came to the café in half term and delivered the postcards. They chatted to the participants, played games, and helped make the tea and coffee.

The youth club has been a brilliant experience for students, and it has been wonderful to get to know them and see how much they have accomplished over the last year.

The impact of the youth club can be summed up by one of the students "Being at youth club has made me feel a lot more confident and happier!”

After months of dedication and hard work, their performance was nothing short of phenomenal. They truly embodied #BestExe, leaving the judges seriously impressed—especially considering this was their first-ever performance outside of school! 🤩

The competition was packed with amazing talent, and while they narrowly missed out on a spot in the finals to QE and Kings, they still stood out as one of the best acts of the night. One judge was so blown away that they’re keen to work with our students in the future! 👏

Thank you to Devon Music Education Hub for organising such a brilliant event that gives our students an opportunity to perform and to Uffculme for hosting.

Watch this space for an opportunity to come and watch Petrichor perform in our Summer Concert.

A huge congratulation to Petrichor—you should be so proud!

The Exeter school received the Gold award from the Anti-Bullying Quality Mark UK (ABQM-UK), a national scheme which endorses how good schools are at preventing bullying. 

West Exe School, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, has a clear Anti-Bullying Strategy and staff at West Exe have been sharing best practice and advice about this with partner schools across the trust.

Student anti-bullying ambassadors at the school have also received accredited Diana Award training so that they are prepared and equipped with the skills they need to support students experiencing friendship difficulties.  Staff anti-bullying champions also meet with students on a regular basis to ensure student voices are listened to and that areas raised as a concern are reviewed, revised and developed to minimise future issues.
 

Ofsted inspectors also noted in their last report that at West Exe Pupils’ mental health and wellbeing is a priority and pupils know how to stay safe and keep safe online.

The ABQM-UK award challenges schools to demonstrate their effectiveness in anti-bullying and the prevention of harassment. School communities that gain the Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards can show that:

• Children and young people come to school without the fear of being bullied or harassed.
• Staff members respond to all aspects of bullying behaviour and harassment with confidence.
• Families are confident that they know who to approach about bullying and harassment and that it will be dealt with efficiently and effectively.

Julie Fossey, Headteacher at West Exe School said:

"I am so proud of all of our staff and students, and especially our anti-bullying ambassadors, for achieving this Gold Award.  It is a testament to how hard they all work to ensure the school environment is a caring one where every child can thrive.  Our ‘kindness elective’ has seen our students visiting local primary schools to deliver anti-bullying strategies and training, ensuring that our wider community are able to benefit too. ”

Ole C, Year 8 student at West Exe School said:

‘I chose to become an antibullying ambassador because I wanted to help people who are struggling with being bullied. My main goal as an antibullying ambassador is to help people who feel like they are alone and to stop people from being targeted.’

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“The work the West Exe School community has done regarding their anti bullying strategy has been exemplary and I am so pleased that this has been recognised through the Gold Award.  At the Ted Wragg Trust we believe that every child should come to school feeling safe and happy and all our schools work hard to make sure this is the case.”

We’re so excited to celebrate the power of reading and the incredible worlds that books open up for us and our students. This week is all about adventures, imagination, and inspiring stories!

On Friday, we can’t wait to see our students dressed as their favourite character from an adventure themed book!

Whether they’re heroes on daring quests, explorers in fantastical worlds, or mystery solvers, the possibilities are endless!

Let’s make this Literacy Week unforgettable by celebrating the magic of books and the creativity of our students!

Who is your favourite character from a book linked to the adventure story theme?

Also happening this week:

Year 7 - Spelling Bee in Lessons (Monday/Tuesday)

Year 7 - Spelling Bee Final (Thursday)

Year 8 - Detective Lesson (Monday/Tuesday)

Year 8 - Murder Mystery Game Final in Library (Friday)

Year 9 - Adventure Story Genre Lesson/Creative writing

Hello West Exe families! It's Joe Bispham here, I'm the Deputy Headteacher for Community and Education and I am just sharing with you some of the feedback you gave us on the Edurio parent survey. Thank you so so much for all of you that took the time to provide that really valuable feedback it makes an absolutely huge difference to what we do here and we really really want to be working with the community to ensure that your child's experience at school is the best it possibly can be.

Ric Claydon, Head of Year 7:

We were absolutely thrilled to see that more of you than ever felt really informed and empowered by the work of our attendance team following your feedback last year. We have improved our systems and processes around attendance and we are so pleased that has had the impact we hoped for. We will continue to work hard in this area as children being in school means that they not only get access to all of their brilliant lessons but can also be involved in making memories that will last a lifetime.

Kelsey Flynn, Head of Year 8:

Last year you said communications were coming from too many different places, we listened and streamlined our systems so now that we only have one parent app and a fortnightly Head Teacher update. We're so pleased to hear from you that it's having the desired impact and you're telling us you feel much better informed this year and not overloaded with information. The rewards that celebrate good behaviour are particularly positive and we want to let you know even more about this going forward.

Laura Peacock, Head of Year 10:

Last year you raised your frustration with not always being able to contact the school and we've been working hard behind the scenes to address this. Over October half term, we had a new telephone system installed, that enables us to answer so many more telephone calls. Obviously it's early days yet, but we're already seeing a rise in the number of calls answered and this will remain a focus for us this year so watch this space.

Ric Claydon, Head of Year 7:

You told us that you see lots of opportunities for your child to take part in activities and clubs here at school which we're really pleased to hear. We know that the electives are now just a part of the school culture but there is so much more, from debating to Duke of Edinburgh trips and visits and after school sports clubs. Your children were involved in more than ever before but we are not done yet. We are focusing on widening participation and giving even more experiences that make your child’s school day so special.

Chris Mayes, Head of Year 9:

This year some of you told us that you don't always feel confident supporting your child's learning at home or you can't always see how the school's learning approach fits your individual child's needs.

We are keen to help with both of these things. We are looking at ways to share more tips and ideas with you around your child’s development and learning journey. We'll be back in touch in the summer time about that.

Joe Bispham, Deputy Head Teacher

We really appreciate all your feedback and it really does help us to improve all aspects of the school and help us serve the community much better. Some of these things are much longer projects, they will take time, but there are some really quick things we can do to support for example you told us you wanted more notice on key dates and events and things that are happening so we're adding a key dates document to our website that will be really easy to access for you. On top of all of these exciting changes we are also adding our year group on a page, something we're going to be launching over the next few months and over this year which is going to give you an overview of everything's happening with your child’s year group throughout the year so do watch this space and that will be coming your way soon.

Nicky Lewis, Head of School:

The parent survey is a fantastic listening opportunity for us to hear from you and take action as a direct result, so thank you once again for all of you that participated. However, we don't just listen once a year, if you have any feedback, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us, we love to hear from you.

Families are very welcome to download the electronic version of the Christmas should you wish to print or email this Christmas card to your friends and family.

All the students are really becoming wonderful singers!

Watch this space for the Christmas concert where they will be showing their talent.

Don't forget the choir is free for all to attend every Friday after school in MU1, no need to sign up just come along.🎵

We welcome students from Year 6 - 13 to get involved in this exciting free activity led by a fully trained vocal coach... more information below:

They spent the day having fun at London Zoo along with their mentor paralympian David Hill as part of his work with the Dame Kelly's Trust, AQA’s Unlocking Potential Programme is run by the trust. 

They had a great time visiting the zoo, along with students from 27 schools across the country.  London Zoo is home to over 10,000 amazing animals from tiny marching leafcutter ants to a giant 193kg silverback gorilla. 

The Dame Kelly Holmes Trust was set up in 2008 by double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes. It supports retired athletes as they transition from sport, and uses their skills and experience to transform the lives of young people through mentoring programmes.  The AQA Unlocking Potential programme, run jointly with the trust aims to bring out the best in young people so that they can achieve their goals.  

The mentors know what it takes to overcome adversity and have the will to succeed not only in sport, but in life too.  Paralympic swimmer and triathlete David Hill grew up by the sea where he learnt to swim at a young age. Despite being born with no left forearm, David was earning swimming badges by the age of 3! His talent was nurtured until David qualified for the 2004 Paralympic Games. He was world silver medalist in swimming in 2006 and took bronze medals in 2009 in both European and World competitions.

 Julie Fossey, Headteacher at West Exe School said:

“Everyone at West Exe is so proud of Zack, Daisy and Maisie for their participation in the AQA Unlocking Potential Project.  The social action projects they have taken part in this year from cooking hot meals for the homeless to collecting over 250 pairs of socks for St Petrocks have been amazing, they very much deserved a brilliant day out in London!”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“It’s great to hear that these West Exe students got to spend some valuable time with their mentor while enjoying a visit to London.  Raising aspirations for the young people of Devon is central to the Ted Wragg Trust and it’s lovely to see schools working closely with organisations with this as their mission.”

Students achieved a fantastic set of GCSE results, with 69% of children achieving a grade 4 or higher in GCSE English and Maths, and 53% achieving a grade 5 or higher in both subjects. In addition to this, nearly one third of all entries taken at West Exe achieved grade 7 or higher. They have risen magnificently to meet the unprecedented challenges of the last five years.

At West Exe School they are committed to educating children so that they live great lives and go on to make the world a better place.  West Exe demonstrates its love by having the highest expectations of young people because they want them to achieve truly great things – and they do; in fact, they are consistently the school that outperforms the national average for results.

It was no surprise then to see many happy faces at West Exe today with:

• Poppy O who achieved an incredible ten grade 9s.
• Charlie and Freddie J with shared nine grade 9s and six grade 8s between them.
• Ally R who achieved ten GCSEs grade 7-9 with a brilliant five grade 9s.
• Samuel E who achieved 4 strong passes after just a short time in the UK. We are so proud of him and all he has worked for.

Julie Fossey, Headteacher at West Exe School said: "I am so proud of our West Exe class of 2024. These results are a powerful reminder of what you can achieve when you set your mind to something. However, these results are just one chapter in the story of our students’ lives. So today as they celebrate with family and friends, I encourage them to continue to aim high, stay curious, and never stop believing in themselves. I know our students have a bright future ahead and I wish them all the very best in their chosen next steps!"

Moira Marder, Chief Executive Officer of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“Huge congratulations to everyone collecting results today.  I am incredibly proud of our students' GCSE results this year.  Their achievements are a testament to their hard work, resilience, and commitment.

“I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our dedicated teachers and supportive parents, whose unwavering encouragement has been instrumental in these achievements. I am excited to see what our students will accomplish next."

Siobhan Meredith, Executive Director of Education at the Trust praised students for their “ambition and resilience” and noted that “school teams will be working closely with all students in the coming days to ensure they are able to take the next step of their choice, continuing to give them all the support they can towards the next stage of their journey.”

The twelve Ted Wragg Trust secondary schools are the Plymouth-based Marine Academy Plymouth, All Saints Academy, Lipson Co-operative Academy and Tor Bridge High; Queen Elizabeth’s School, Crediton; Cranbrook Education Campus; the Exeter-based schools, Isca Academy, St James School, West Exe School and St Luke’s Church of England School; and Honiton Community College and Sidmouth College in East Devon.

West Exe School’s Cultural Champions led the way in helping to design, create and sell badges to raise money for the school’s charity Exeter Food Action to help celebrate and support both diversity within their community and the wider world.

Exeter’s Devon Diversity group led several workshops for Year 7 students, helping them to understand the importance of cultural diversity.  The students showed real enthusiasm and a keen interest,  asking some really thought-provoking questions.

 As a whole school project, every student took part in sessions around LGBTQ+, cultural diversity and disabilities, acknowledging and celebrating differences and the positive impact this can have on our wider world. 

The students ended the week celebrating their own identities by creating their very own ‘Diversi-trees’ helping them to not only identify differences but celebrate them!

 Julie Fossey, Headteacher at West Exe School said:

“I am so proud of everything staff and students at West Exe have done to celebrate Schools Diversity Week.  We want every young person at our school to know that it’s ok to be different and I hope they have enjoyed all the different activities and opportunities for learning during this important week.”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“I was delighted to hear that West Exe put so much effort into marking Schools Diversity Week.  It sounds like they put on a brilliant range of sessions and it’s clear that these will have had huge value to students when it comes to how they think about themselves, others and society.”

Originating as a community project providing humanitarian response to rough sleepers in Exeter, St Petrocks officially opened its doors in December 1994, having been given permission by the Central Parish of Exeter to adapt two thirds of St Petrock’s church for use as a homeless centre.  Over 600 people every year face homelessness and multiple disadvantages in Exeter and the surrounding areas.  

Many of those who use St Petrock’s are people often viewed as being on the fringes of, or outside of, society. They include rough sleepers, those being supported in accommodation subsequent to homelessness, those facing imminent homelessness, those released from prison and those discharged from hospital, mental health facilities/specialist accommodation.  

The students have been mentored by the paralympian David Hill as part of his work with the Dame Kelly's Trust.  The four Year 9s are all taking part in AQA’s Unlocking Potential Programme which is run by the trust and donating the meals was part of the project’s social action component. 

The Dame Kelly Holmes Trust was set up in 2008 by double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes. It supports retired athletes as they transition from sport and uses their skills and experience to transform the lives of young people through mentoring programmes.  The AQA Unlocking Potential programme, run jointly with the trust aims to bring out the best in young people so that they can achieve their goals.  

The mentors know what it takes to overcome adversity and have the will to succeed not only in sport, but in life too.  Paralympic swimmer and triathlete David Hill grew up by the sea where he learnt to swim at a young age. Despite being born with no left forearm; David was earning swimming badges by the age of 3! His talent was nurtured until David qualified for the 2004 Paralympic Games. He was world silver medallist in swimming in 2006 and took bronze medals in 2009 in both European and World competitions.

The group from West Exe also went along to visit St Petrocks, along with their mentor David, and they were given a guided tour and told more about the charity’s work.  Zack, Daisy and Maisie are now partnering with St Petrocks for a ‘sock collection’. They are asking their fellow students to consider donating a new pair of socks for a rough sleeper.  The ‘give a pair to show you care’ drive is another part of the students’ social action work to impact the local community. 

 Julie Fossey, Headteacher at West Exe School said:

“I am so proud of Zack, Daisy, and Maisie for the work they have done on their social action project.  They all really wanted to do something that would benefit the local community and I know they took a lot away from their visit to St Petrocks.  I hope the sock drive will be a big success!”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“Being part of and contributing to the local community is a key part of the Ted Wragg ethos and I am delighted that these West Exe students have given their time to help those less fortunate than themselves.  I also want to say a big thank you to the staff and volunteers at St Petrocks, not only for everything they do to help the homeless, but for taking the time to show these students around and help them learn more about social issues.”

https://www.radioexe.co.uk/news-and-features/local-news/students-cook-for-homeless-in-exeter/

William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, in April 1564. The exact date of his birth is not recorded, but it is most often celebrated around the world on the 23rd of April.  Shakespeare also died on 23 April; in 1616, when he was 52 years of age.

The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust states that: 

Shakespeare’s baptism is recorded in the Parish Register at Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon on Wednesday 26 April 1564. Baptisms typically took place within three days of a new arrival, and parents were instructed by the Prayer Book to ensure that their children were baptised no later than the first Sunday after birth. This means that it’s unlikely that Shakespeare was born any earlier than the previous Sunday, 23 April. Given that three days would be a reasonable interval between birth and baptism, 23 April has therefore come to be celebrated as his birthday. 

To mark the day, Year 8 students at West Exe School explored some of the most memorable scenes from Shakespeare’s most famous plays.  The school is also holding a creative writing script competition to discover any budding playwrights!

At West Exe they explicitly teach in depth social and literary contexts to ensure that students have the cultural capital to appreciate how the written word can be used to bring about social change and, more importantly, social justice.  The English curriculum is deliberately academic and covers a broad range of contexts that are designed to inform students’ interpretation of texts and ideas, this allows students to explore perspectives outside of their own, to promotes a greater understanding and appreciation of difference and diversity.

 Julie Fossey, Headteacher at West Exe School said:

“It was great to celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday this week, his plays remain such a core part of young people’s literary journey and I am excited to see the submissions for the creative writing competition.” 

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“I was delighted to hear that West Exe School marked Shakespeare’s birthday in appropriate dramatic fashion by exploring some of his most memorable scenes.  Learning more about the author is such a helpful way of bringing texts to life for students and helps everything they learn to really stick with them.”

Nothing was wasted in the preparation of the ‘root to stem’ meals which included a variety of dishes that are good for both people and the planet!

On the menu on Tuesday the 23rd of April was:

• Chickpea and vegetable stew
• Arrabiata stew with crispy parsnip and skin on mash
• No waste mince and onion pie and skin on mash

Aspens Services, is a market leading contract catering company specialising in school food and they often put on themed menus to tie in with special awareness or cultural days.  Aspens are passionate about serving fresh, high quality and locally sourced food.

Food available at West Exe includes a choice of hot meals each day (including a vegetarian option), a pasta bar, salads and sandwiches, as well as drinks and snacks.  A free breakfast is also provided to all students at the school from 8.15-8.30am daily in the canteen.  Students can also access Chrome books during this time to allow them to work on any extended practice they may have. 

 Julie Fossey, Headteacher at West Exe School said:

“It was great to offer up these ‘no waste’ dishes on the lunch menu this week, especially as it was Earth Day on Monday.  It’s brilliant for our students to try all sorts of different dishes and anything that focuses their minds on both healthy eating and the sustainability of the planet can only be a good thing in my book!”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“It’s great to hear that Aspens are doing such great work at West Exe to offer students a range of, not only delicious, but thought-provoking meals.  I know they have some really creative chefs that work hard to provide schools with a wide variety of exciting cuisines.”

Year 8 and 9 students went along to Exeter College and met with representatives from a number of companies involved in the solar industry.

The students also played a highly competitive game of giant Jenga, took part in a quiz, which one of the Year 9 teams won, and attended talks on the ‘Future of Solar’.

As the world shifts towards a low-carbon future, the demand for clean energy sources is increasing.  One of the fastest-growing areas of renewable energy is solar power, which has seen tremendous growth in recent years.  

By 2035, the solar industry is expected to support around 60,000 jobs in the UK, that’s up from around 7,000 in 2020 – representing a significant increase in demand for skilled workers in the sector. 

 Julie Fossey, Headteacher at West Exe School said:

“It was great for some of our students to go along to the fayre and learn all about an industry they might not have considered working in before.  At West Exe we want young people to leave us ready for the jobs of the future, so examining careers in the renewable energy sector makes total sense.  

“It was also lovely to hear that one of the exhibitors commented that our students asked the best, most insightful and challenging questions of any of the schools in attendance!”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“At the Ted Wragg Trust we are keen for all local educational institutions to come together for the benefit of young people, as such I am delighted that some West Exe students attended this event at Exeter College.  It’s brilliant to hear they were asking some really thought-provoking questions of industry professionals.”

The mock trial event was run by the University of Exeter Law Society and hosted by the Maynard School.  The students were given some witness statements and then had to prepare and present part of the prosecution’s case against the defendant. 

Despite having never done anything like this before, they did a phenomenal job of preparing an opening statement and writing examination-in-chief and cross-examination questions, all in a very short amount of time.

The event was presided over by a retired Circuit Judge, some circuit judges deal specifically with criminal or civil cases, while some are authorised to hear public and/or private law family cases, and some sit across a range of jurisdictions.  Others may sit more or less on a full-time basis in specialised civil jurisdictions, such as Chancery or as judges of the Technology and Construction Court.   There are currently over 600 circuit judges throughout England and Wales.

The University of Exeter Law Society supports its members from the moment they join their legal community through to graduation and beyond.  They support their members through law school with academic, careers and welfare events, and provide an array of extra-curricular activities such as advocacy, mooting, intramural sport and pro-bono volunteering.  The Maynard School is the South West's top school & a leading UK Independent Girls School.

Julie Fossey, Headteacher at West Exe School said:

“I am so glad that some West Exe students took part in this mock trial, and I am very grateful to the University of Exeter and the Maynard’s School for enabling them to.  I was delighted to hear that the retired Circuit Judge stated that our team was excellent and that we should be very proud of them, which of course we are!”

Scan the QR code below or click this link https://forms.office.com/e/RBRe7vCyeY to let us know you are coming.

We look forward to meeting you!  

The challenge aims to inspire hundreds of thousands of students to get active on the school run and over a period of 10 days, schools record the number of students walking, scooting or cycling to school.  Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel inspires students to improve air quality in their neighbourhood and discover how these changes benefit their world.

At West Exe School, they are using sports leaders to go around to tutors each day and record the numbers for how students got to school.  The school is going to award prizes for the tutor group with the highest number across the 10 days in each year group and a prize for the overall tutor leading the scoreboard across all five years.  As a school, West Exe is also competing against different schools from across the country.

Currently over two thousand schools are taking part across the country with 728, 953 children taking part, Sustrans has a live journey counter on their website, showing all the journeys that have been taken so far.  The challenge runs from the 11th to the 22nd of March.

According to Cycling UK, on average just 2.2% of children cycle to school and 35.4% are driven, they estimate that 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.

Julie Fossey, Headteacher at West Exe School said:

“I am so proud that we are taking part in Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel challenge. Over 200 children at West Exe cycle to the school everyday and we also have a very active staffing body, many of whom choose to beat the traffic and ride in daily. 

“ I am delighted that so many of our students make the choice to cycle in everyday and we will continue to support others to complete the training needed to feel safe and confident cycling to school.”

• 3.15 - 4.15pm for WES students (aged 11-15) – This is open to WES students only.

• 4.30 - 5.30pm for Primary students (aged 7-11) – This is open to any of our primary feeder schools.

On Wednesday, 27 March from 5.00 - 7.00pm there will be an opportunity for both age groups to sign up with their parents at the School. Two members of staff will be attending, one for each club sign up. We look forward to seeing you there!

Discover Economics is on a mission to increase the diversity of economics students. They aim to broaden the appeal of economics to potential students, change their perceptions of economics and economists and attract more students from under-represented groups (women, state school/further education college students and minoritised ethnic groups).

Budding economists and entrepreneurs taking GCSE Business Studies heard from three current Exeter university students who ran brilliant sessions looking at topics such as, what is gross domestic product and how your take home salary is affected at different income levels. Students were shocked at what their take-home salary would look like after they’ve paid their income tax and national insurance!

The group went on to look at the government's current budget deficit, and what approaches politicians could take to address this. They had a large debate about whether tax should be increased for top earners and what other ways more income could be brought into the UK.

The university students will be back again later this term to examine other careers in economics and answer questions.

Economics students at the University of Exeter cover a variety of topics including inflation, monopoly control, the study of developing economies and the finance of multinational companies. The University is in the top ten in the UK for economics.

Julie Fossey, Headteacher at West Exe School said:

“I want to say a big thank you to the Exeter University students who took the time to come and discuss economics with our Business Studies class. It was great for them to be introduced to some new concepts and to have them start thinking about the wider applications of what they are studying.”

Debbie Du Preez, Economics lecturer and ‘Discover Economics’ lead at the University of Exeter said:

“It is a privilege for us to go into the local state schools and promote Economics to a diverse set of learners. We want to transform learner perceptions of what “Economics” actually is and show them just how accessible and rewarding a career in Economics can be.”

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

“At the Ted Wragg Trust we are really keen to see organisations in our communities collaborate and this was a great example of how local educational institutions can work together for the benefit of all young people.”

The festival this year will run from the 18th to the 22nd of September. As a registered charity, their mission is to celebrate books and their authors and promote the art of writing and the enjoyment of reading in the East Devon community and in other local schools.

Chloe Fox, a Senior Leader at West Exe School and Carrie McMillan, Secondary Lead for South West Teacher Training were invited to attend the fundraiser quiz at the new cricket club to raise funds to facilitate the festival's target of reaching over 2000 children this year with their talks and workshops.

Last year West Exe School hosted author Manjeet Mann to talk about her book as part of the Budleigh Literary Festival schools outreach program.  Her debut novel RUN, REBEL for young adults was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal in 2021 and won the CILIP Carnegie Shadowers Choice Award, The UKLA Award, Diverse Book Award and Sheffield Children's Book Award. It was also a Guardian best book of 2020. Manjeet’s second novel The Crossing, won the Costa Book Award for a Children’s Book in 2021 and was also named the Sunday Times Children's Book of the Week.  She also founded Run The World, a not for profit organisation that uses sport and theatre as a means to empower women and girls. 

Sue Briggs Chairperson of the Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival, said that she was thrilled to have Ted Wragg Trust schools as part of the programme and that she is looking forward to working more closely with the trust in the coming years.

Julie Fossey, Headteacher at West Exe School said:

“Developing a lifelong love of reading makes all other forms of learning easier and at West Exe we will continue to put literacy at the heart of our curriculum.  I am looking forward to working closely with the Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival team again this year; it’s clear how much benefit their outreach programme brings to students. We have taken part in their poetry slam competition several times too (even winning it once!). These events bring the written word to life for our students and we are very proud to be associated with the festival.”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“I am delighted that West Exe and Ted Wragg staff took the time to go and help fundraise for the Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival.  It’s such a brilliant event and brings so much to the South West in terms of cultural capital.”

There were a few nerves alongside a lot of excitement amongst the students who were proud to represent the school.  Both sets of students played some excellent chess over the course of the afternoon, with a lot of incredibly close games as students got to grips with the pressure of playing under timed conditions for the first time. 

The West Exe students ultimately won the majority of the games played, claiming an overall victory on the day!  Overall, it was a fantastic afternoon with students from both schools showing both a competitive spirit, as well as fantastic sportsmanship all round.

Texts referencing the origins of chess date from the start of the seventh century.  The game received a surge in popularity in recent years following the TV show The Queen’s Gambit which centres on a woman trying to become a chess champion.

 Julie Fossey, Headteacher at West Exe School said:

"I am delighted that West Exe students won our very first inter-school chess tournament and want to offer everyone who took part a big congratulations!  Watching our Year 7s take such joy not just in their chess, but in hosting students from MBA was the highlight of my week.  I am incredibly proud of them all."

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

“It was great to hear that West Exe has hosted this chess challenge and to see that so many students were excited to take part.  Many congratulations to the West Exe students for their victory.”

A Philosothon is a friendly “competition” between small teams in which students participate in a series of “Communities of Inquiry” and are judged by the quality of their participation. Students are asked to consider open-ended questions which require an extended response and typically involve appeal to more than one discipline. 

Students are asked to have a conversation in mixed age group teams about a clearly defined philosophical or ethical issue. They are judged by professional philosophers from local universities on the level of their engagement with the topic and with each other.

Following on from their impressive performance in the University of Oxford Schools’ Debating Competition, Mia Wyatt and Amelie Walch in Year 10, joined together with Year 11s Poppy O’Neale and Evie Kane and Year 9s Flo Richardson and Klara Oczko to represent West Exe School at Philosothon UK. 

The whole team was amazing, making some really insightful comments and respectfully challenging or questioning the views of the students from the other competing schools.  At the end of the evening, Evie came second in her age-range scoring a fantastic 77/100, agonisingly missing out on finishing joint first by one point.

 Julie Fossey, Headteacher at West Exe School said:

“I am so proud of every student who represented West Exe at Philosothon UK, they did fantastically well.  There is a perception that philosophy is an outdated, navel gazing subject, however the critical thinking aspects it promotes are relevant to all sorts of issues and careers in modern day life.  At West Exe we know it’s not just what you know that’s important but your ability to question information and come to your own conclusions and embracing philosophy is a great way of promoting that.”

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

“It’s brilliant to hear how well the students from West Exe did at Philosothon UK, everyone at the trust is so proud of their efforts and achievements at this national platform.”

Students at West Exe are supported with their mental health in a manner of ways;  the school has Student Wellbeing Ambassadors who have been trained by the NHS mental health support team and they provide ideas for events, advocate for positive student mental health and listen to students who share concerns with them.

The school also offers an elective programme on mindfulness, where coping skills are developed with students through psychoeducation, psychoeducation reduces stigma around mental health and improves overall wellbeing. 

As part of the mindfulness elective, West Exe students will be visiting local primary schools to share their healthy coping strategies with Year 6s through games, such as bingo.  The secondary students will also speak to Year 6 students about the importance of speaking openly about their feelings and emotions. 

 One student commenting on the mindfulness elective said:

 “I think it’s great that I can discuss how I’m feeling openly in a safe place where there is no judgement and I have learnt a lot about the reasons behind mental health conditions and how I can help myself in stressful situations.”

A debate on mindfulness in schools was actually held in Westminster Hall in Parliament this week, with Charlotte Nichols MP who led the debate stating that:

“Mindfulness programmes are becoming increasingly popular in schools and educational settings worldwide, with a growing quantitative evidence base emerging from research studies. Mindfulness in schools is about introducing children to skills as early as possible to support their lifelong wellbeing. It has benefits for educators, too, including stress regulation and reduction, increased self-compassion and teaching efficacy.”

The school is committed to promoting good mental health and is going to continue investing in this area, they have recently appointed a new Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead, Leanne York and she’ll be working with the Student Ambassadors to support and prioritise ideas that support good mental health and wellbeing across the community. 

Julie Fossey, Headteacher at West Exe School said:

“At West Exe School, we recognise that good mental wellbeing can support students through day-to-day challenges, in relating to others, making healthy choices and developing into resilient young adults.  That is why we help students to create their own mental health toolbox during their school life, through learning and utilising healthy coping strategies to manage life challenges.” 

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

“It’s been great to shine a light on the work our schools do on mental health this Children’s Mental Health Week.  I am so proud of West Exe for the pioneering actions they have taken to support the whole child when it comes to looking after the mental and emotional wellbeing of their students and of their student ambassadors for the role they play in supporting other children in primary schools in their communities.”

Did you come to watch our production of Beauty and the Beast last week?

It really was a show stopper with our wonderful students putting on an amazing performance over three evenings.

A massive well done and thank you to all students involved. It truly was an amazing experience working with you all, and we are really going to miss this being a huge part of our daily lives. We couldn’t have been more proud of the hard work and dedication you have shown towards this production that has been worked on since September as part of the elective program here at WES.

So much talent and we are so very proud of everyone involved!

The primary schools taking advantage of West Exe’s Primary Sports Offer are Alphington, Exwick Heights, Ide, Bowhill, St Gabriel’s and St Thomas.  Each school is invited to participate in six festivals across the school year, these involve a wide range of sports from cross country and multi skills to tag rugby.

Each school also takes part in a Year 6 Competitive sporting league in football and netball, with the Cowick Cats Netball Club delivering a free coaching session for all primary students involved.  All events are assisted by West Exe Sports Leaders who help plan, organise, and deliver each event.

On Monday, 29 January West Exe held their last week of the Year 6 Netball league.  They had teams from Alphington, Bowhill, Exwick Heights, St Gabriel’s and St Thomas, each school played each other over the course of 4 weeks and the league consisted of Year 6 students playing in a seven a side format.

Aside from the clear physical and mental benefits of taking part in sports, it is hoped that allowing the primary children to experience the surroundings and atmosphere of a secondary school will make the transition when leaving primary school easier. 

The Primary Sports Offer means that there is an opportunity for each primary student to visit West Exe for a sporting activity in each year of the primary education from Year 1-6, meaning they develop strong links and familiarity to the school, which is especially helpful for those joining them for their secondary education journey.

On Tuesday, 30 January, West Exe held a Gymnastics Continuing Professional Development (CPD) workshop at Bowhill.  Teachers from Bowhill and St Thomas took part in the session which was delivered by Lianne Johnson who is a gym specialist with extensive knowledge and expertise in gymnastics.  A West Exe student assisted with the session to very ably demonstrate the skills and supports needed.

Julie Fossey, Headteacher at West Exe School said:

“I am so proud of our Primary Sports Offer here at West Exe, not only does it encourage children to try out new sports and form a positive relationship with exercise, it also helps them become comfortable in a secondary school environment."  

“Forging strong links with the other schools and teachers in our local community is very important to me and it’s brilliant to be able to offer them training sessions from some of our expert sports leaders.”

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

“I am delighted that West Exe provides such a strong Primary Sports Offer, part of the Ted Wragg Trust mission is to make sure we benefit and strengthen our local communities, and this is an excellent example of that.”

Exeter City Community Trust are excited to announce the launch of a new Youth Club, hosted at West Exe School, starting on Monday 5^th February from 3.30pm – 5pm.

The youth club is for students in Year 7 and 8 only and is a fantastic chance to hang out with friends, listen to music and play games. There will also be the chance to get involved in social action and wellbeing activities.

To sign your child up please click on the link below or scan the QR code on the attached flyer. Places are limited and will be given on a ‘first come first served’ basis.

https://forms.office.com/e/J3R1c9KfBc

Any questions please get in touch,

Best wishes

Inclusion Team

Exeter City Community Trust
St James Park
Exeter
EX4 6PX
07487233094
01392 255611 (Option 2)
Email: inclusion@ecct.co.uk

Year 7 Netball v Exeter School

Congratulations to our Year 7 Netball team who had a resounding win against Exeter School on Tuesday, 23 January 2024. We played at Exeter school and had the following results;

Team A – 16-2 to WES with Grace L and Ella B both being awarded MVP. Great netball was played and a high standard of netball on offer.

Team B- 14 – 4 to WES with Freya L and Elsie T being awarded MVP for the match.

Both teams played brilliantly with a dominant performance from all players across all playing positions. Well done girls!

 The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust encourages remembrance in a world scarred by genocide, they promote and support Holocaust Memorial Day  to remember the 6 million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, alongside the millions of people murdered under Nazi persecution of other groups and during more recent genocides. 

Throughout this week at West Exe School every student has attended an assembly on the significance of the Holocaust and genocide, based on resources and research from the Holocaust Education Trust.  Students also watched testimonies from survivors from not only the Holocaust but other genocides such as Rwanda and Cambodia.

 A group of students also took part in a live nationwide webcast organised by the Holocaust Education Trust and hosted by Natasha Kaplinsky OBE.  Holocaust survivor Hedi Argent MBE delivered a deeply profound testimony of her experiences under Nazi persecution in the late 1930s and students had the ability to ask Hedi questions through a live webfeed.

Hedi Argent was born in 1929, and lived in a suburb of Vienna in Austria, the anti-Jewish laws and backlash that accompanied Hitler’s annexation of Austria in 1938 were something Hedi remembers very well.  She remembers seeing Jews being made to scrub the pavements and having stones thrown at them. Hedi’s family arrived in England in 1939 and stayed in a safe house.  After the war, Hedi and her parents wrote to the Red Cross to try and find their extended family; they found out that most of their other family members in Europe had been murdered during the Holocaust.

In the centre of the school, the students are being asked to reflect on a visual representation of the proportion of people killed during the Holocaust, with symbols representing approximately 200,000 human lives. Students have been discussing the fact that it was not just the Jewish population who were persecuted during the Holocaust and were shocked at the total numbers of deaths.

To finish the week, Year 7 and 8 students are reflecting on individual experiences of Holocaust and they are researching and creating commemoration cards to be displayed around the school, in order to draw a more personal connection to the individuals who lost their lives. 

Julie Fossey, Headteacher at West Exe School said:

“I think it’s really important for young people to understand the history of the holocaust and to learn about more modern genocides.  Though these are difficult topics, it is right that we learn about them and take the time to hear the stories of those that survived these horrors.  There are not that many years left that children will be able to hear directly from a Holocaust survivor, so I am very grateful to Hedi Argent and the Holocaust Education Trust for making it possible for students to ask her questions.”

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

“Holocaust Memorial Day is such a powerful day of reflection and I am glad to hear that students at West Exe have been engaging in a number of topical and thought provoking activities in the run up to it.”

Parents of WES can purchase tickets via their MCAS account, members of the community/Exeter College are able to purchase tickets at the door on Friday, 2 February 2024. 

Published 22/01/24

The market is the culmination of the £5 enterprise challenge, those taking part conducted market research, visited the market at Exeter Cathedral, then got to work on planning, pitching and promoting how they were going to use their £5 budget to create something to sell to other students.  Some intrepid students even sought wider investment to help boost their chances of success. 

The final market where students showcase their products is a much loved yearly event at the school and the whole project teaches those involved a sound understanding of business concepts.  A wide variety of festive goods were on offer from decorative wooden reindeer and reindeer cookies to waffles and popcorn bags.  

This year’s market was a huge success with many groups turning their £5 investment into over £30 of profit, one group even generated a whopping £72! Overall they managed to turn an £80 investment into over £300. 

Julie Fossey, Headteacher at West Exe School said: 

“I am so proud of each and every group, they demonstrated brilliant teamwork and problem -solving skills, along with a good serving of creativity. They have all gained a sense of achievement and success from taking part in the £5 enterprise challenge. We will now spend the rest of the year building on this business experience, which in turn will help these children achieve excellent results and improve their life chances.” 

Published 15/01/2024

Our story can also be found on Devon Live West Exe students turn £5 into £300 with festive market - Devon Live

The students will be spreading yuletide cheer across the airwaves after their jingle debuted on the local radio station this morning (13th December.)  East Devon Radio is a community radio station, based in Exmouth, the station was launched in 2006 coinciding with the Exmouth festival.

West Exe students also took part in Christmas Jumper Day on the 7th of December in exchange for a charitable donation and have also put on a Christmas concert with students singing a selection of festive carols.

Across the city at another Ted Wragg school, the Cranbrook Education Campus, pupils also took part in Christmas Jumper Day, and they have been collecting gifts to pass on to refugee families to make sure no child goes without a toy this Christmas.

The Cranbrook Education Campus hosts the EX5-Alive community hub which will be open on the 14th of December between 4.30pm and 6.30 pm and on the 21st of December between 10am and 12pm if anyone needs any support in the run-up to Christmas. 

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

“I am delighted to hear that West Exe students have recorded a festive jingle for East Devon Radio and look forward to hearing it throughout December.  I am also so proud of the work Cranbrook pupils have done to ensure that local refugee families have a Merry Christmas.  The Ted Wragg Trust wants every child we educate to leave us a compassionate and thoughtful individual and thinking of others is at the core of this.”

Published 15/12/23