Education

The South West’s most promising learners were celebrated on Friday 16 January 2026 as Exeter College hosted its annual Student Awards at Sandy Park, showcasing the inspirational learners from the 2024/25 academic year and their remarkable achievements.

More than 170 guests, including sponsors, VIPs, College lecturers, and students’ families and friends, attended the ceremony, where 17 awards were handed out, recognising learner success across a variety of topics, from academic excellence and sport to adult learning and apprenticeships.

A highlight of the College calendar...

Students at two Exeter schools have begun a new science and research internship, starting with a hands-on trip to the Eden Project in Cornwall.

Students from St James School and West Exe School came together to explore the biomes, studied different types of leaves, and collected samples to investigate back at school. The activities gave students a chance to learn through experience, ask questions, and spark their curiosity about the natural world.

Back at school, students will continue their research in the lab, observing, recording, and analysing the samples they...

Whipton Barton Federation has been awarded the Primary Science Quality Mark (PSQM), a national accolade awarded for exceptional science teaching and strong subject leadership.

The award recognises the school’s strong focus on high quality science teaching and its success in sparking pupils’ curiosity through hands-on investigation and exploration. The assessment team highlighted that the school has shaped an effective development plan that ensures science teaching is engaging, challenging and accessible for all pupils, including those with special educational needs. They also...

Portakabin launches school library initiative as children’s reading enjoyment hits its lowest level in two decades

Aligning with the government’s pledge to provide a library in every primary school, Portakabin will deliver a fully equipped library building to one school, shaped by the winning design.

The competition invites primary school pupils and teachers to imagine and design their dream school library, supporting a UK-wide effort to address the shortage of library spaces in primary schools.

The initiative follows Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ recent pledge to...