Freya and Ruby at Honiton Community College.

GCSE Celebrations Across East Devon as Ted Wragg Trust Students Shine

Students from Cranbrook Education Campus(CEC), Honiton Community College (HCC), Exmouth Community College (ECC) and Sidmouth College, all part of the Ted Wragg Trust, were full of excitement and pride as they collected their GCSE results this morning (21st August).

The schools, all part of The Ted Wragg Trust, are celebrating a strong set of GCSE results this year, an important reminder of the power of schools working together to transform the life chances for young people across Devon.

Cranbrook Education Campus pupils celebrate #Crantastic GCSE success

As a school rooted in its community, CEC lives by its values – the PERKS of being #Crantastic: Proud, Engaged, Ready, Kind and Safe – and works relentlessly to ensure every pupil has the best possible outcomes and opportunities for the future.

CEC are thrilled to announce:

68% of Year 11 pupils achieved a pass in both English and Maths
75% of Year 10 pupils secured a pass in their early entry English Literature
An Attainment 8 score of 46.46 – above the national average - showing an increase in the students average performance

These achievements come alongside above-national outcomes across the Campus, including Early Years Good Level of Development (GLD), Year 1 Phonics Screening Check, Year 4 Multiplication Check, and Key Stage 2 SATs.

These results follow praise from Ofsted inspectors (2024) for their ambitious curriculum, particularly highlighting how the school works relentlessly to remove barriers to pupils’ participation and success. They also commended that the school is ambitious for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

CEC’s dedication to providing an inclusive education is evident in the achievements of all their pupils and the personal success stories shared below.

Bernice Wong who achieved seven Grade 9’s, one Grade 8, one Grade 7 and a Distinction in Performing Arts and will be going to Colyton Grammar Sixth Form to study A levels in Biology, Chemistry and Maths.
Edward Greed who secured six Grade 9’s and three Grade 8’s and will be going to Exeter College to study A Levels in Maths, Further Maths, Physics and 3D Product Design.
Grazia Mok who was awarded five Grade 9’s, two Grade 8’s, one Grade 7, one Grade 6 and a Distinction in Music, and will be going to Exeter College to study UAL Diploma in Musical Theatre.
Krista Martin who achieved two Grade 9’s, six Grade 8’s and oner Grade 7 and will be going to Exeter College to study A Levels in Chemistry, Physics and Maths.

Stephen Farmer, Head of Campus at Cranbrook Education Campus, said:“Congratulations to all our fantastic students collecting their GCSE results today. As we celebrate the achievements of our pupils with their families and the staff who have supported them on this journey, it’s also important to recognise the wider role our school plays in supporting our community. As a school at the heart of our community, this year the EX5-Alive Community Hub based on campus delivered over 13,000 support interactions for local families – from emergency food parcels to mental health referrals and housing guidance. Backed by the National Lottery Community Fund, this initiative reflects our deep commitment to inclusion and outreach and demonstrates that our school’s impact goes far beyond the classroom.”

Sidmouth College

Sidmouth College is a successful, unique and special place of learning. The college puts students first, has effective learning at the heart of all it does and promotes a climate of success and achievement for every student.

This year, Year 11 students achieved a fantastic set of GCSE results, enabling them to successfully move onto their first choice next steps with confidence. There was an amazing 10% increase in the number of students achieving a good pass (grade 5 or above) in both GCSE English and Maths, placing them above the national average for both 4+ and 5+ (when compared to the 2024 averages available).

There were also significant increases in the number of students from families experiencing economic disadvantage who gained both a pass (a grade 4 or above) and a good pass (a grade 5 or above) in GCSE English and Maths.

Nye Potbury-Dapling, whose ambition is to study Medicine at university, achieved a clean sweep of grade 9’s in his crucial science GCSE’s (Biology, Chemistry and Physics). He also achieved a grade 7 in English Literature, English Language and Photography, and a grade 8 in History, Maths, Statistics, DT and RE.

Student Rose Bennett achieved a wonderful set of results including a Distinction in her Health and Social Care, a grade 8 in Art, Science and Geography, a grade 8 and 7 in Combined Science and a grade 7 in English Language and English Literature.

Mrs Lisa Whitworth, Headteacher at Sidmouth College said: “We are incredibly proud of our students and the fantastic results they’ve achieved today. Our students have shown resilience, positivity, and a real commitment to their learning and today is a celebration of all their hard work. These results are just the beginning, and I’m excited to see where their journeys take them next. A huge thank you also to our staff and families for the incredible support they’ve shown throughout the year.”

Honiton Community College

At HCC they believe every child has the right to an excellent education, in a caring environment. They are ambitious for all their students to achieve their aspirations and to leave HCC as confident, ambitious and successful young people, keen to engage with the world of tomorrow.

Year 11 students achieved a strong set of results this year, a testament to their hard work and dedication. For those students experiencing disadvantage there was a significant 12% increase in achieving a good pass (5+ or above) in Maths.

This year saw so many student success stories including:

Sophia achieved a fantastic set of results and is now off to the King’s School to study Geography, Psychology and Drama. She said: “I’m delighted with my results and hugely appreciate the support I've had from my teachers which made a real difference to me, especially in the run up to exams. A special thanks to Mrs Knight for all her support.”
Nicole, a talented linguist, achieved a grade 9 in Spanish and a grade 7 in French. She is heading to Exeter College to study Economics, Law and Psychology. She says she is “happy, happy, happy!”and delighted that her hard work has paid off.
William is going to Exeter College to study Maths, Computer Science and Physics having achieved an amazing seven Grade 9s.

This marks the next step in the schools journey of improvement, which saw the College receive Ofsted good in all areas earlier this year with inspectors noting that the work to improve the quality of education being delivered “has resulted in pupils achieving more highly in their qualifications” with students happy and “better prepared for their next steps.”

Caroline Brothwood, Headteacher at Honiton Community College said: “We’re incredibly proud of our students and everything they have achieved. These results are a reflection of their hard work, determination, and resilience, as well as the dedication of our staff and support from families. At HCC, we strive to provide not only academic success but a wide range of enriching experiences and this cohort has truly made the most of everything on offer. This year, we were proud to partner with Exeter Chiefs for the 'Maddy’s Mark' initiative, supporting girls’ mental well-being through sport and launching our own Girls’ Rugby Club. We’re proud of how these wider experiences supported students to grow in confidence, resilience, and curiosity. We wish them the best of luck for their next chapter, we can’t wait to see what they do next.”

Exmouth Community College

Exmouth Community College results are the best across the board in recent years, with a huge 10% increase in the percentage of students obtaining a grade 5 or above in English, the highest in the school’s history. For those students experiencing disadvantage there was a significant 17% increase in achieving 4+ in English and Maths compared to the last year.

Ten students achieved eight or more Grades 9 and 8, and six students achieved five or more Grade 9s.

At Exmouth Community College, which joined the Ted Wragg Trust earlier this year, particular emphasis is placed on preparing students for life, so that they are ready to play their part in a global community, with a combined focus on educational experiences in and outside the classroom.

This year students have been involved in a variety of learning activities, from sea safety workshops and attending talks on pollution and plastic waste to completing a six-week sailing course, achieving numerous national sailing qualifications. And the College have just stepped into a new House System designed to reinforce a sense of belonging within the school and encourage students to engage in the huge range of enrichment activities that are on offer.

Tom Inman, Headteacher at Exmouth Community College said: “We are so proud of our students and everything they’ve achieved. Today’s results are a reflection of their hard work, determination, and the support of our dedicated staff and families. This year group has not only excelled academically but also contributed positively to the wider school community through enrichment, environmental projects, and leadership. They truly embody our values of belonging, ambition and responsibility. We’re excited to welcome many of our students back for sixth form this year, and we wish everyone the best of luck with the next chapter in their educational journey.”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Multi-Academy Trust said: “A huge congratulations to all the students across East Devon receiving their GCSE results today. Students worked so hard in the run up to their exams and today is an opportunity to celebrate with their families, friends and the staff who have supported them during their school journeys. It's a pleasure to see how our schools continue to empower young people to thrive and make a difference and we look forward to seeing our students take their next steps with confidence and pride."