This term almost half of the year group visited the Northcott Theatre in Exeter with the English department to watch a live performance of Noughts and Crosses.
To see their first Canon text brought to life was an amazing experience that will stay with our students for years to come. #readingisattheheartofeverythingwedo.
This year saw another successful group of Year 9's turn their green fivers into purple twenty pound notes. Taking over the tent and sport hall, the choices for sale were wisely picked season treats. We had a hot chocolate stand, warm brownies from the oven, sweet stalls, and crispy hash browns. Not forgetting a highly profitable penalty shoot out. The group gained skills in calculating break even, marketing and building on the all-important communication and organisation skills.
As part of our ongoing character and culture work linked to our careers program, every student in Year 8 will have the opportunity to be a student receptionist. This team will be supporting the smooth running of the school whilst learning lots of key skills about organisation. Feedback so far has been incredible, with visitors enjoying meeting them and commenting on the care they’ve taken to make sure that everyone feels welcome.
On Wednesday, 14 December 2022 the music department held their first Christmas Concert since 2019 and what a wonderful evening it was. The students performances were absolutely amazing, as was the performances by the Jazz Band.
We would like to say a massive well done to all of our students who took part in the evening and a big thank you to our Music Ambassadors and student leadership who helped behind the scenes to ensure it ran smoothly.
Merry Christmas from the West Exe School Music department
Exeter Phoenix welcomes all West Exe families with a special discount code to get £1 off all MATILDA THE MUSICAL and GREATEST SHOWMAN SING-A-LONG tickets this December.
Apply QUIRK74 at checkout for £1 off.
Enjoy reading and reflecting on our awesome Autumn term.
A recent Ofsted summary evaluation highlights ‘The Trust’s people strategy is impressive’.
The Ted Wragg Trust (TWT), which comprises 13 schools located in Exeter, Plymouth, Crediton and East Devon has been praised by Ofsted for training and developing all staff and for being true to its vision & values and putting these at the centre of its work, after being selected as one of only five Trusts in the country and just one of two in the South West to undergo an ‘Ofsted summary evaluation’.
To read the full report click here.
The Trust has welcomed Ofsted into five of its schools in recent years. Four of which contributed to the first phase of the summary evaluation. All of the inspections have been ‘Good’ or better, including Marine Academy Primary achieving the rare accolade of ‘Outstanding’ for the second time. Its vibrant teacher training hub SWITT was also inspected last year and following its very positive outcome has been successfully reaccredited and recruiting for 2023 and beyond.
Ofsted inspectors visited TWT between 10-13 October 2022 to conduct a whole-trust review, which included meeting with shared services staff and trustees, visiting schools and speaking to many headteachers, governors and staff.
A letter to the ambitious Trust of Schools, published on 22 November, says, "The trust’s vision is ‘to transform lives and strengthen our communities to make the world a better place’. This is realised through the trust’s values of selflessness, ambition and collaboration. The trust’s vision is fully understood and lived out by all who work within the trust.’ It highlights that ‘the trust’s vison and values underpin all aspects of its work."
Tim Rutherford, Deputy CEO comments, “This report validates what we know already; that every member of staff day in, day out, is committed to and will go above and beyond to achieve our shared mission to transform lives and strengthen communities to make the world a better place.”
The report notes ‘the trust’s people strategy is impressive. Teachers and other staff have a well-designed programme of both training and development linked to their level of experience and aspiration. In particular, the aspiring headteacher programme enables the trust to identify people with headship potential and then offer them bespoke training to prepare them. Integral to this is ensuring that these aspiring headteachers fully understand, and live out, the trust’s vision and values for when they move into headship’.
Ofsted also found:
Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust and her team were recognised for the hard work that has gone into supporting staff: ‘At the heart of the trust’s work is collaboration. Through networks and coaching, leaders and teachers are supported very well to reflect on, and adapt, their approaches in a drive for continual improvement. One member of staff told inspectors, ‘There is always someone I can call on if I need help.’
Moira comments “I feel extremely privileged to be the CEO of this values-driven, child-centred Trust of schools. With social justice at our core, we will continue to invest in growing our committed great people so we can ensure every child succeeds.”