Last month, we celebrated the achievements, commitment, success and dedication of our students at our annual Sport, Health and Nutrition and Outdoor Education Awards. The evening recognised students who have excelled both in lessons and through their wider involvement in school sport, leadership, outdoor education, and food and nutrition.

Awards included Sports Personality of the Year across Years 7–10, Sports Leaders, Teams of the Year, our Ten Tors 35 and 45-mile Teams, and the Food Trophy for Years 7–10. It was fantastic to celebrate the hard work, determination and teamwork shown by our students throughout the year, with particular recognition for those who have gone above and beyond to achieve their goals.

A huge congratulations to all of our award winners, and to everyone who has contributed to another successful year of Sport, Health and Nutrition and Outdoor Education. We now look forward to celebrating the achievements of last year’s Year 11 students at the Year 12 Graduation later this term.

Pupils at West Exe School are transforming part of their campus into a dedicated Forest School area, guided by the Forest School elective programme and supported by local organisations.

The project has seen students restore and replenish garden beds, develop practical gardening skills and help convert an overgrown section of the site into a vibrant outdoor learning environment.

Jamie Engineer, headteacher at West Exe School, said: "It has been a real joy to see our students getting stuck into the Forest School project and helping to shape the space they will be using.

"A huge thank you to GoodGym, M Group, and Hartwood Treeworks for their hard work and support in creating the area.

"We’re looking forward to seeing how the space develops and the opportunities it will give our students."

The new Forest School area has already hosted a variety of activities, including animal and insect crafts using natural materials, as well as team-building exercises.

West Exe School is part of the Ted Wragg Trust.

Moira Marder, CEO of the trust, said: "The Forest School is a great example of the opportunities West Exe gives students to develop skills through practical, hands-on experiences.

"It is also wonderful to see the school working with its local community to create a space that students can learn and enjoy."

The area will also support a broader educational programme, offering an alternative learning environment for students who require additional support outside the traditional classroom.

The Forest School is one of several elective options available to students at West Exe, alongside eSports, climbing, British Sign Language, Junior Master Chef, digital music production, and community art.

A bestselling children’s author has inspired students to find their voices through storytelling.

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.

Our school Christmas Concert was a huge success and a wonderful way to celebrate the end of a fantastic term. The evening was filled with festive cheer, incredible talent and a real sense of community.

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.

Exeter secondary earns ‘Highly Commended’ award as its growing Classics programme boosts student achievement and inspires new interest in ancient history. West Exe School is celebrating national recognition after receiving a “Highly Commended” award for its growing and increasingly popular Classics programme. The Exeter secondary school was honoured in the Classics for All 2025 Impact Awards, which recognise schools across the UK that are expanding access to classical subjects. 

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.

Sophia, a standout athlete from West Exe School, has made waves on the track and field stage this summer, winning double gold at both the Devon Schools Athletics Championships and the Southwest Schools Championships.

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.”