An education trust based in Devon has been shortlisted as a candidate for the “Oscar of Education”. The Ted Wragg Trust, which consists of 18 schools in Devon, has been shortlisted for the “Best Trust Team (More than 10 Schools)” of the year by The Times Education Supplement (Tes).
The Times Education Supplement’s annual Awards, known as the “Oscar of Education”, are held every year to recognize the achievements of educators and schools. Since 2009, this award has been dedicated to highlighting the outstanding efforts and achievements of schools, while bringing together the strength of all sectors in the education field to jointly celebrate this national event of excellence in education.
The winners will be announced at the award ceremony to be held in London on June 20th. The Ted Werag Trust was nominated for its outstanding achievements in improving student academic performance, having a positive impact on the local community, and always centering on innovation and civic responsibility in all its work.
The Ted Werage Trust said in a statement that its “vision is to tailor the educational experience to each child’s individual needs and empower school leaders to make decisions based on local realities.” The statement also pointed out: “The trust firmly believes that support should be provided to schools based on the unique challenges and opportunities faced by different regions, whether it is Exeter, Plymouth or Middle Devon.” This approach helps to create a safe, close and successful learning environment for all students.
This trust focuses on student engagement and is committed to making the school a place that students yearn for. This initiative has driven a transformation in the school culture, shifting from merely focusing on attendance to emphasizing students’ emotions and academic achievements. It helps narrow the educational gap and ensures that students from all backgrounds have the opportunity to succeed. The Ted Werag Trust is committed to making a positive impact on the communities it serves through a local approach and creating community centers centered around schools to support students from early childhood to their careers. The core of its school’s improvement strategy is to cultivate a sense of belonging in each child and prioritize happiness in education.
The Ted Willage Trust stated that it has had a significant and positive impact on its schools: “Since joining the trust, all schools have achieved a ‘good’ or higher rating from the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted), and many of them have been particularly commended for their outstanding performance in helping disadvantaged students achieve excellent results.” The secondary schools under this trust have achieved overall higher results than the national average in the five + GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) subjects of English and mathematics. The recently released multi-college trust performance evaluation for sixth-grade students shows that significant progress has been made. 74% of sixth-grade students have met the expected standards in reading, writing and mathematics, which is 13% higher than the national average. This has enabled the primary schools under this trust to rank among the top 11% in the country.
Thanks to the “Fusion Services” department established by the trust in 2021, which is responsible for managing business activities such as cleaning and leasing, nearly £500,000 of the trust is reinvested in the front-line support work of schools every year, which helps to make better use of school facilities and create more opportunities for interaction with the broader community. In addition, the trust is also committed to creating a supportive working environment for its employees, with the goal of making it the most ideal workplace in the southwest region. It focuses on high-quality career development, employee satisfaction, and fostering a positive and collaborative work culture.
Moira Marder, the CEO of the Ted Werag Trust, said: “I am very pleased that the Ted Werag Trust has been shortlisted for this prestigious award, which fully demonstrates the dedication and collaborative efforts of everyone in our school community.” I am extremely proud of all the staff, students and parents. It is they who have jointly made all this possible. Our vision is to enable all children to walk to local schools and receive quality education centered on ambition, inclusiveness and community strength. Our core concept is that every child should have the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background or circumstances. We are committed to changing lives and strengthening communities through quality education, and look forward to continuing our efforts to support the healthy growth of every student.
Jon Severs, the editor of Times Education Supplement magazine, said: “We have seen many amazing entries in this year’s award nominations.” The Times Education Supplement School Awards is a major highlight in the education sector of the year, and it is crucial to fully recognize the outstanding achievements made in the field of education throughout the academic year.
