Children were delighted at Lady Seaward’s CE Primary near Exeter last week when they were able to officially open the brand-new play equipment, which was funded thanks to the generous donations of families and community fundraising.

  

Gemma Pattison, Head of School, says ‘We’re extremely grateful to our school families and to the wider community for raising over £15,000 and enabling us to buy this equipment for our pupils. As a school and across First Federation Trust, our governing body since 2009, we believe that playground facilities don’t just offer a fun breaktime for children. This type of equipment can provide opportunities for physical and mental development allowing children to learn and grow beyond the classroom.  

 

We have been fortunate enough to have a trim trail installed with wobbly bridges and hanging ropes. Some of the benefits of having these products on site include building fitness, increased socialisation and collaboration, problem-solving, and mental wellbeing. The children are very much looking forward to some better weather when they can get into the playground more to use it all!’ 

Experienced leader in education, Abi Croot, has joined Whitchurch Primary in Tavistock, Devon as the new Head of School, bringing with her 15 years' experience in teaching and leadership. 

  

Abi said, ‘I am extremely honoured and privileged to have been chosen to continue to develop this fantastic school onto the next stage of its journey, and for the opportunity to join a trust with such a strong reputation for high standards, inclusion, and putting children first. I’m looking forward to working with the Whitchurch community and colleagues across First Federation Trust to build on the school’s strengths and ensure every pupil thrives.’ 

 

Abi has worked across a range of private and state, boarding and day schools, providing her with a wealth of experience across a range of educational settings, and has held various leadership positions including, most recently, Head of English at Plymouth College and Head at Kingswear School.  

 

Abi continues, ‘This is a very exciting time for Whitchurch Primary as we continue to build on the excellent work already in place. As Head of School, my main job will be to make sure pupils are safe, happy and achieving well. I have a strong passion for curriculum design, and innovative teaching and learning strategies that are inclusive for all and forward thinking for the modern world our young children are about to enter. I believe that a happy school is a successful school, where every pupil feels valued and heard - a culture I will look to ensure is established at Whitchurch.’   

 

Angela Jenkins, Director of Performance and Development for First Federation Trust, said, ‘Abi is very much looking forward to building a more active engagement with the wider community and to fostering a strong partnership between the school and local businesses, events. Not only will this strengthen real-world experiences for pupils and allow them to become global citizens, it will help to build a sense of belonging for the community and children, and will start to build a more supportive, inclusive and cohesive relationship. As a Trust, we look forward to supporting Abi in her journey and welcome any positive changes she makes.’ 

Artist impressions of the state-of-the-art new building, outdoor space and multi-use green area (MUGA) at the Manstone Avenue site at Sidmouth CE Primary School have been revealed, highlighting the impressive plans for the school, its pupils and the local community. 

 

The development, which is being undertaken by Skinner Construction, is starting to take shape and due for completion in May 2026. Existing buildings are being replaced and renovated with the aim to create a modern indoor and outdoor space to meet evolving educational needs.   

 

Alex Spraggon, Head of School, says, ‘It’s been great to see work commencing on the Manstone site, and to have a vision of how the new site will look next summer. We’re excited to be able to deliver an inspirational new learning environment in which pupils can continue to flourish and achieve, both indoors and out. Spending time outdoors whether through play, sport or relaxation can significantly help with mental well-being, physical development and physical health, and so we’re really pleased to be able to offer the MUGA as an all-year round area for sport.’    
 

Sidmouth CE Primary is a member school of First Federation Trust, a multi-academy of 29 primaries across Plymouth, Devon and Dorset.   

 

Helen Warren, Director of Operations from First Federation Trust, says, ‘This is a collaborative project which has been partly funded by the Department for Education (DfE) and Devon County Council, for which the Trust and school are extremely grateful. We’re looking forward to seeing the progress on this development which will benefit the wider community as well as the school and its pupils.’ 

 

Mr Spraggon continues, ‘Applications for children due to start primary school in September 2026 close on 15th January 2026. We have spaces available in our Nursery which is available from the age of two, and across the school, so please contact the reception if you’re interested in a tour of our facilities.’ 

The Right Reverend James Grier, Bishop of Plymouth, has officially opened the newly refurbished Chapel room at St Budeaux CE Primary School. Designed as a calm and sacred space, the Chapel will provide opportunities for Christian reflection, prayer, and spiritual development, supporting the school’s ethos and values. In addition to its role in nurturing faith, the Chapel will also serve as a fully functional venue for local community groups, strengthening links between the school and the wider community. 

 

Trustees donated £50,000 to the primary school, which is based on the edge of the city and offers Nursery and primary school education for children aged two to Year 6. The money was used to renovate the existing Chapel, transforming it from its basic origins to a useable area with brand-new kitchen, soft furnishings offering cosy corners, practical furniture, and refreshed, light and airy decoration. 

 

The building, which is currently used by pupils as a quiet place to reflect and worship, will be now also used by community groups to offer local residents access to children’s play sessions, midwife appointments and more.  

 

Natasha Brooks, Head of School, says ‘We’re extremely grateful to our Trustees for this very generous donation and to the Bishop of Plymouth for opening the Chapel for us. We’re excited to partner with some of the community groups in the area to be able to offer people a safe and inviting place to come for healthcare appointments and local events, for example the Pop-Up Play Village will offer a 90-minute imaginative play and arts session every first Monday of the month.  

 

Our Christian vision is intrinsic to our school ethos of supporting one another and empowering each other to do the best we can, whatever that might be. Our Worship Warriors, a dedicated group of pupils who actively embody and promote the Christian vision and values, were at the official opening as well.' 

 

Angela Jenkins, Director of Performance and Development, says ‘St Budeaux has been an important member of First Federation Trust since 2022, and together we have ensured there has been a constant commitment to improving standards and education for all pupils. Since the transition to a nursery and primary setting in 2023, there have been many developments including the Early Years outdoor area which offers children a break from being inside boosting motivation and mental health, and the library which was modernised making it a cosy, colourful and enjoyable space for children to enjoy some quiet time.’ 

 

If any local community groups are interested in using this space, please contact the school with an expression of interest including your proposed type of activity and preferred days of the week: Call 01752 365217 or email admin@sbpa.plymouth.sch.uk   

Salcombe CE Primary in Devon, part of First Federation Trust, is pleased to announce the appointment of Miss Lottie Bond as new Head of School. With over fifteen years teaching experience including over a decade in school improvement, Miss Bond has demonstrated a strong commitment to and passion for the educational sector. 

 

Miss Bond began her leadership journey as an English Specialist Leader of Education, supporting schools across Plymouth. Her impact grew rapidly, leading Year 6 at Salisbury Road Primary during a pivotal time, where she spearheaded a transformative teaching and learning programme.

 

Her leadership helped guide the school through the challenges of COVID and into a successful Ofsted inspection, showcasing her ability to build strong, motivated teams and foster a culture of continuous improvement. 

Most recently, Miss Bond has served as Trust English Lead across 18 primary schools, driving curriculum innovation, professional development, and strategic school improvement. Her work has contributed to significant gains in pupil outcomes, narrowing disadvantage gaps, and elevating school performance across the Trust. 

 

Speaking about her new role, Miss Bond said: 'I am absolutely delighted to be joining Salcombe CE Primary as Head of School. From the moment I visited, I felt a deep connection to the school’s values, its dedicated staff, and the wonderful children. I’m excited to bring my experience and energy to Team Salcombe, working together to create a thriving, joyful learning environment where everyone can flourish.' 

 

Miss Bond’s leadership style is rooted in authenticity, collaboration, and care. She believes that “change moves at the speed of trust,” and is committed to building strong relationships with staff, pupils, families, and the wider community. Her vision for Salcombe is one of unity, growth, and excellence—anchored in shared values and a love of learning. 

 

Angela Jenkins, Director of Performance and Development for First Federation Trust, said, ‘The Salcombe school community and wider Trust has warmly welcomed Miss Bond into her new role, and we look forward to supporting her with her journey. We have been extremely impressed by the knowledge, passion and experience which she has displayed, and we wholeheartedly embrace her plans to create a stable, safe and friendly school environment where children can reach their full potential.’ 

Chudleigh Knighton CE Primary, a friendly village school near Newton Abbot in Devon, is ‘living up to its foundation as a Church school’ and enabling pupils to flourish according to the latest SIAMS (Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools) report by the Church of England. With an environment that nurtures the wellbeing of all and a community that is committed to living well together, Chudleigh Knighton has been highlighted as a safe, inclusive, supportive school which is outward-looking and nurturing for families.   

   

Simon Westwood, Head of School, said, ‘We make it our mission to encourage every individual to Dig Deep, Learn Together and Embrace Life to the Full within a caring Christian community, and we’ve created an ambitious curriculum and exciting personal development offering to support them in this journey. We aim to raise the standards of education for all our pupils, including those who are more vulnerable, with exciting experiences designed to broaden opportunities, a range of trips to better engage learners, and solid connections with the local community.  

  

‘We encourage our pupils to undertake leadership responsibilities with opportunities to become house captains and ethos leaders, or to take part in the buddy system where older and younger pupils support each other, and also offer our citizenship award which allows children to consider how to improve their local area.'   

   

Chudleigh Knighton was one of the two founding schools to form First Federation Trust in 2006, which has since grown to become a multi-academy of 29 primaries spanning from Plymouth to Weymouth.   

   

Paul Walker, Chief Executive Officer for First Federation Trust, said ‘It has been a pleasure to witness the development of Chudleigh Knighton CE Primary over the years, with their strong connection to the local community, evolving curriculum which continues to be strengthened, and constant commitment to making improvements where required. As a trust, we aim to support the school not only with access to our wider family of schools, but with access to our solid partnership with the diocese. It is excellent to see the spiritual journey of pupils which has been a focus for development this year, and to observe the benefits of the partnership with the local church in collective worship and local events.’  

 

With a Religious Education (RE) curriculum that ‘reflects the context of the school and the needs of the pupils’, pupils appreciate the chance to learn about others, develop empathy and understand a variety of beliefs.   

  

Simon continues, ‘As a school community, we are committed to ensuring people live in unity, with an accessible environment and emphasis on equity and inclusion. We teach children about differences and feel proud of their empathy and respectful behaviour. We have regular focus days where pupils learn about the importance of mental health and wellbeing, and we provide additional pastoral support for families.’  

Gemma Pattison, an experienced leader in education, has recently joined Lady Seaward’s CE Primary in Clyst St George near Exeter as the new Head of School. Gemma, who was previously Head of School at Kenton Primary, started in her new role at the beginning of Autumn term.  

  

Gemma Pattison, Head of School said, ‘I feel truly privileged to take on the role of Head of School at Lady Seawards. This is a school with a rich heritage, solid Christian roots, and wonderfully supportive community, and I look forward to building on our strong foundation and maintaining the Church ethos. My aim is to continue raising standards in teaching and learning while placing a strong emphasis on creativity and ensuring every child feels valued and supported. We want our pupils to leave Lady Seawards not only with excellent outcomes, but also with confidence, kindness, and a sense of belonging.’ 

 

During Gemma’s role as Head of School at Kenton Primary she successfully led the school through a period of flooding and temporary relocation, securing a Good Ofsted judgment despite significant challenges. Prior to this, she worked at Alphington Primary School as a senior leader, teaching across all year groups and leading personal development, maths and early years across the school. Her wealth of experience in leadership, curriculum development, and pastoral care will support Lady Seawards as it continues to thrive within the First Federation Trust, a multi-academy of 29 schools spanning Plymouth to Weymouth. 

 

Mrs Pattison continues, ‘I am deeply passionate about teaching and learning and feel excited to introduce instructional coaching to Lady Seawards to raise the bar for delivering the highest quality teaching to all children. Our staff are already highly skilled and dedicated, and a key priority is to support them in continuing to challenge themselves to be the very best, ensuring we deliver consistently excellent teaching and learning.  

 

‘We are looking forward to renovating a section of the playground, which the community has worked hard to fundraise for and design — a fantastic example of our school and village working together. It is important to me to continue to broaden the range of enrichment opportunities children experience, bringing learning to life and ensuring our pupils develop a wide range of skills and experiences. I am particularly passionate about developing our already excellent Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision to raise attainment outcomes for all children.’ 

 

Kath Powell, Director of Inclusion for First Federation Trust, said, ‘We’d like to say a big welcome to Gemma, and we wish her well in her new role. I’m personally looking forward to supporting her to continue raising high standards of achievements for all pupils, and as a Trust we will continue to provide inspiration and advice as required.’ 

At First Federation Trust, we believe that children who attend one of our 29 primary schools should have the opportunity to experience events outside of and alongside their time in the classroom. We believe in providing wider opportunities for children in our care that complement their educational experiences. 

 

Together we ensure that children have the opportunity to take part in the following activities before they move on to a secondary setting:  

• Perform in a setting outside of the school building 
• Participate in a musical performance 
• Participate in an art exhibition 
• Watch a musical/drama production performed by professionals  
• Participate in a sporting event held outside of the school premises 
• Perform in the local community to support an event or facility e.g. care home 
• Learn a musical instrument 
• Participate in inter-school sports events (FFT and local schools) 
   

As all of the 29 primary schools within the Trust are unique in terms of size and location, each will also have an individual offer which is appropriate for the context and geography of the establishment. Schools will provide enrichment times where children have the opportunity to work outside of the usual classroom curriculum.

 

We also ensure that children are signposted to any local clubs and facilities when they display a particular interest or skill in sport, art and music.   

 

At the end of the 2024/25 summer term, schools were invited to have an art exhibition to display children’s artwork at a local village hall, or at school during open afternoons, school productions and celebration worships. 

 

Schools were also invited to participate in a sports event at any point during the school year, with specific sporting events for example egg and spoon races, sprinting, standing long jump, ball bouncing and more. Results were collated for each year group with overall Trust winners.

Inspectors have concluded that Membury Primary School in East Devon is Good in all areas of their latest Ofsted report, with well-behaved and respectful pupils residing in a supportive, friendly and ambitious environment. Children are offered an exciting curriculum which has been recently improved by a dedicated team of professionals.  

 

Heidi Wickens, Head of School said, ‘We are very proud of our small school and everything we are able to offer and achieve. We think of ourselves as a big family. We know our pupils and families individually having built in-depth, supportive relationships over the years, and with our unique, one-class environment we work hard to meet pupils needs and we’re able to support those where they need it.  

 

'Ofsted has recognised how well the children at Membury learn to read as we know exactly what they all need to focus on, and pupils are regularly encouraged to practise and revisit key knowledge across all areas of learning. 

 

'At times we have new pupils join during the school year; we always ensure a very warm welcome and offer the help they need to settle in as swiftly as possible. We’re very keen to engage with children from other schools in the Trust and local area to encourage pupils to interact with others and provide a more seamless transition to secondary school.’ 

 

Membury joined First Federation Trust, a multi-academy of 29 primary schools spanning from Plymouth to Weymouth, in September 2024 and has since benefitted from working collaboratively with a range of other schools, with shared experience, support and inspiration.   

 

Kath Powell, Director of Inclusion at First Federation Trust, said, ‘Staff at Membury Primary have the passion, skills and knowledge they need to provide expert support to pupils. With a small setting, teachers sometimes need to present different ideas and subjects to the class which they manage well. Due to the unique nature of the school, those with SEND and additional needs are extremely well supported.  All children are well nurtured and challenged where needed. Together, we are determined to offer the best possible education for pupils, and we will continue to support the school to make any future improvements.' 

 

With strong community engagement, external visitors, a broad range of sports activities and clubs including construction and computing, and the opportunity to learn to play instruments, all areas of learning, personal development, and social interaction is enhanced as much as possible. This is a small school with a lot to offer.

 

Heidi continues, 'We currently have spaces available all year groups so please get in touch with the office on 0140 488 1491 or email office@membury-primary.devon.sch.uk if you would like to arrange a visit.'

The PTFA at Newton Ferrers CE Primary School in South Hams, have raised £32,000 for the primary near Noss Mayo, Devon this year. 

 

The school has used the funds for a variety of products which will further enhance the education and personal development for pupils. Money has been spent on a new trim trail outdoor course which offers exciting playtimes, new books to support children’s reading, chromebooks, the production of events and plays, and a new sound system - all of which is extremely valuable for those who attend Newton Ferrers now and in the future. 

 

Newton Ferrers is part of First Federation Trust, a multi-academy of 29 primary schools across Devon and West Dorset. 

 

Paul Walker, Chief Executive Officer of First Federation Trust, said, ‘I’d like to say a huge thank you for all the efforts the Newton Ferrers PTFA has put into raising funds for the school this year and all previous years. To raise over £32,000 is an amazing feat which is inspirational to all schools. As a Trust, we aim for every child to aspire, flourish and achieve within the heart of their community, and the money they, and all other PTAs, raise will help our schools achieve this. Additional income is always very much appreciated.’