QUEEN Elizabeth’s School in Crediton has become the latest school to benefit from the collaboration and support of being part of the Ted Wragg Trust.

The school was officially welcomed to the Trust on Monday, February 1, and is the 12th school to join, strengthening opportunities and partnerships, bringing improved educational outcomes for its students and extensive benefits to the Crediton community.

Queen Elizabeth’s School (QE), is a large school with approximately 1,300 students and is known for its friendly and approachable atmosphere.

The school has served Crediton and surrounding villages since 1547, has two separate campuses for its students; the Barnfield campus, with its beautiful grounds and views across the hills to Dartmoor, houses Years 7 and 8 and allows the younger students to thrive. The Western Road site houses Years 9, 10 and 11 and includes College House, which is QE’s Sixth Form centre.

Moira Marder, Chief Executive Officer of the Ted Wragg Trust, said: “The Ted Wragg Trust was formed in 2013 with the aim of creating an outstanding educational experience and to improve life chances for all children. With their solid, independent reputation, QE will add a robust educational and social contribution and I am delighted to welcome them to the Trust.

“We understand and respect that schools have their own unique identity and methods of working. With that in mind, we work closely with all our partners and their communities, to ensure their identity stays protected.

"This essentially allows them to remain largely independent but enables our schools to access and take advantage of an extensive, child-centred education co-operative and its resources.”

As a values-driven organisation, the Ted Wragg Trust is driven to seek out likeminded school partners, within close geographical proximity, in order to support social mobility and equalise educational opportunities for young people across Devon.

QE Principal Rupert Poole said: “I’m delighted that QE is joining the Ted Wragg Trust. Our vision is to be a place where all people in our community progress and are engaged and fulfilled.

"Our curriculum challenges students, inspiring their curiosity and creativity. With our outstanding Sixth Form and proud history of serving the people of Crediton, we bring an exciting new dimension to the Trust.

"We have already seen the benefits of working in collaboration with a larger organisation and full membership will see us build on those improvements, helping us to deliver our vision.”

Gemma Poulton, Chair of Trustees at Queen Elizabeth’s added: “QE trustees unanimously voted to join the Ted Wragg Trust at the end of last year as we recognise the importance and benefits of collaboration and support that being part of a larger educational organisation will bring.

"Joining the Ted Wragg Trust will allow QE’s governors to focus on our key responsibilities to ensure that QE is providing our community with the best education it can for both current and future students.”

The Ted Wragg Multi Academy Trust’s ambition is to raise the aspirations of young people and enable them to become fulfilled, life ready, confident and motivated citizens, able to contribute actively to a democratic society.

All pupils within the Ted Wragg Trust, regardless of social or cultural background, are motivated to succeed and make outstanding progress because their needs are met through creative, relevant and innovative provision.

Ted Wragg Trust’s other schools are Cranbrook Education Campus, Exwick Heights Primary School, Isca Academy, St James’ School, West Exe School, Whipton Barton Federation, St Luke’s Church of England School, Marine Academy Primary and Marine Academy Plymouth.