Year 9 students Zack, Daisy and Maisie from West Exe School, part of the Ted Wragg Trust, travelled to London last month to celebrate their success taking part in the AQA’s Unlocking Potential Programme.

They spent the day having fun at London Zoo along with their mentor paralympian David Hill as part of his work with the Dame Kelly's Trust, AQA’s Unlocking Potential Programme is run by the trust. 

They had a great time visiting the zoo, along with students from 27 schools across the country.  London Zoo is home to over 10,000 amazing animals from tiny marching leafcutter ants to a giant 193kg silverback gorilla. 

The Dame Kelly Holmes Trust was set up in 2008 by double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes. It supports retired athletes as they transition from sport, and uses their skills and experience to transform the lives of young people through mentoring programmes.  The AQA Unlocking Potential programme, run jointly with the trust aims to bring out the best in young people so that they can achieve their goals.  

The mentors know what it takes to overcome adversity and have the will to succeed not only in sport, but in life too.  Paralympic swimmer and triathlete David Hill grew up by the sea where he learnt to swim at a young age. Despite being born with no left forearm, David was earning swimming badges by the age of 3! His talent was nurtured until David qualified for the 2004 Paralympic Games. He was world silver medalist in swimming in 2006 and took bronze medals in 2009 in both European and World competitions.

 Julie Fossey, Headteacher at West Exe School said:

“Everyone at West Exe is so proud of Zack, Daisy and Maisie for their participation in the AQA Unlocking Potential Project.  The social action projects they have taken part in this year from cooking hot meals for the homeless to collecting over 250 pairs of socks for St Petrocks have been amazing, they very much deserved a brilliant day out in London!”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“It’s great to hear that these West Exe students got to spend some valuable time with their mentor while enjoying a visit to London.  Raising aspirations for the young people of Devon is central to the Ted Wragg Trust and it’s lovely to see schools working closely with organisations with this as their mission.”