Student Leadership at Isca Academy Takes Centre Stage Through Community Engagement
Isca Academy students have been at the forefront of two recent initiatives highlighting the school’s strong commitment to student leadership, youth voice and inclusive education.
This term, members of the Isca Student Council, part of the school’s wider Student Leadership Team, visited Wynstream Primary School to lead a youth voice consultation with year 5 and 6 students.
The session formed part of ongoing collaboration between Isca Academy and Wonford Community Organisation and Groups (Wonford COGS), ensuring young people play an active role in shaping future youth provision in the Wonford community.
During the workshop, students shared their views on activities, spaces and support they believe would benefit young people locally. Discussions focused on accessibility, inclusion and what would make future youth provision welcoming and successful. The consultation was led confidently by Isca students, who created a positive and supportive environment where every student felt able to contribute.
The school also recently welcomed Jack Newton, Deputy Director of Inclusion and Learning at Devon County Council, for a visit celebrating Isca’s commitment to excellence and inclusion. Mr Newton toured the school with the headteacher, visited lessons and met with members of Isca’s Student Leadership Team.
During the visit, students impressed Mr Newton with their confidence, insight and the quality of their questioning, particularly around leadership, education and professional aspirations.
Isca Academy, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, is committed to empowering young people, strengthening community partnerships and providing students with meaningful opportunities to lead, influence and succeed.
Mrs Vicki Joyce, Headteacher at Isca Academy said:
“Our Student Council continues to model what it means to be safe, connected and successful. By engaging younger pupils so thoughtfully, they are not only amplifying youth voice in Wonford but also developing leadership skills that will stay with them for life. Their maturity and professionalism were exceptional.”
Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:
“This work captures exactly what we want for every young person across our family of schools, the confidence to speak up, the opportunity to lead and the belief that their voice matters. Seeing students influence their community and engage so thoughtfully with partners is a powerful example of education at its best.”
