Local News

Exeter Philharmonic Choir is preparing to begin its 2025/26 season with a very special musical first at Exeter Cathedral on Saturday 8 November - performing an ambitious new choral work called The Weather Book, written for the choir by one of the UK’s leading contemporary composers and highlighting Exeter’s unique status as the home of the UK’s Met Office.

The new work for soprano soloist, choir and chamber orchestra, composed by Cecilia McDowall, is a joint commission with a top chamber choir from Sweden. Gustaf Vasa Kammarkör performed the first movement called ‘Celsius Rising’...

Sir Charlie Mayfield has officially taken up his role as Chair of Sparx Learning, the Exeter-based education technology company that develop research-led platforms to improve learning in maths, science and literacy. His appointment coincided with Sparx Learning’s first-ever AI Learning Week, a company-wide initiative designed to help staff explore how AI can enhance education and improve how the business supports schools.

On 1 October 2025, Sir Charlie spent the day with Sparx teams, sharing his experiences of how organisations across the UK are adopting AI and discussing how these...

Isca Academy is pleased to announce the appointment of its new Student Leadership Team, following a record number of applicants from across the school community. The high volume of interest reflects the growing commitment among students to make a positive impact on school life and champion the values at the heart of the school.

The newly appointed student leaders have taken on a range of important roles, including as primary liaison officers, anti-bullying ambassadors, enrichment activity leaders, and mental health ambassadors. Each role is designed to give students meaningful...

A Ukrainian poet renowned for composing her verse on the frontline of her country’s defence against Russia’s illegal war is to visit London and Devon and share her experiences and perspectives.

Yaryna Chornohuz has been helping to defend her country from Russian aggression since 2019. She is currently a drone operator and previously she took part in fierce battles as a member of the 140th Separate Reconnaissance Battalion of the Ukrainian Marine Corps at the time of the full-scale invasion of 24 February 2022.

At the same time, her poetry has become so well-regarded that...