Children’s wellbeing and Schools Act
As you may know, the Children’s wellbeing and Schools Act has now been presented before parliament. The Department for Education has requested that we share this letter with home educating families.
The Act is now published and can be seen at https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3909/publications
If you have any questions regarding the Act please direct them to www.gov.uk/contact-dfe
Super 1s Devon Cricket Foundation’s FREE programme for 12-25 year olds with SEND
Super 1s is a programme funded by the Lord’s Taverners in partnership with the Devon Cricket Foundation to establish and sustain opportunities within cricket for people who have a disability. They are dedicated to providing cricketing opportunities to those with disabilities across the county. To find out more details, click on the locality near you:
Walk & Talk SEN families in and around Exeter
‘A place to meet other families on a similar journey’
Families meet once a month on a Sunday, for a walk and talk. For more information, please contact Sarah on 07875 841301 or search on Facebook for: Walk & Talk – SEN families
Newton Abbot Museum Events
Heritage Creatives
FREE Home Education sessions for ages 9+
Explore the museum and be inspired by its collections to create art, learn about history and about being a Curator.
Keep up to date with their upcoming sessions by following their ‘collection’ on Eventbrite here: Heritage Creatives by Newton Abbot Museum
Relaxed Sessions
Newton Abbot Museum welcomes anyone who might benefit from visiting the Museum at a quieter time.
You can contact the museum to find out when the quieter times in the museum are or check their ‘What’s On’ page. Explore our galleries in a calm and relaxed environment where we will ensure our sound levels are reduced. There will be a quiet space available away from the galleries, and you are welcome to borrow our new sensory bags and ear-defenders.
These sessions are great for visitors with Autistic Spectrum Disorder or other communication and sensory needs and their families / carers but are suitable for all.
To help you prepare for your visit we have made a visual story which you can see if you click here. For other access information please visit our Museum Access page.
If you have any questions about the Museum’s relaxed visits or require any further information, please email museum@newtonabbot-tc.gov.uk or phone 01626 20112
Make and Create – Free family activity, first Saturday of the month
Visit the Museum What’s On Page to find a variety of exciting activities, workshops and events take place in the museum galleries, the community rooms and out in the town. These include getting hands on with museum objects, art sessions, memory cafes and ‘behind-the-scenes’ tours of the museum stores. Keep checking back regularly to see what’s coming up.
Visiting the Museum
The museum staff recognise that learning takes many forms, and are delighted to welcome home educators to their Museum. If you’d like to organise workshops or activities as a group of home educators, then please contact them on groups@newtonabbot-tc.gov.uk or 01626 201 121.
Home educating families are welcome to visit at any time during our opening hours, and we have a range of activity sheets available for you to use as you explore the museum.
Bits and Bots – Creative coding workshops with Lego
Calling all home educating families!
Explore Science, Technology, Engineering or Maths (STEM) subjects in a fun and interactive way.
Learn how to programme Lego robots and become hooked on programming. This workshop is for parents/carers with children aged 6 to 11 years old.
It can be delivered at a venue local to your home education community.
If this would be of interest, please get in touch with the tutor, Amanda Barrud either by email: amanda.barrud@devon.gov.uk or mobile: 07969 102845.
Youth Arts & Health Trust Arts Therapy Sessions
Are you concerned about your child or young person’s mental health? Would they be interested in one to one Arts Therapy sessions in YAHT’s lovely rooms in Exeter? They have some spaces coming up with one of their qualified and experienced Arts Therapists. No previous arts experience is necessary and they work with young people aged 5 to 25.
Please note: This is currently for those who are interested in privately paying or can access funding. Their grant funded spaces are fully booked and they are waiting for news of new funding to offer more grant funded spaces for those on lower incomes (though the waiting list remains open).
Please contact via referrals@youthartsandhealth.org for a chat with an Arts Therapist or to request more info and the referral form.
RAMM Relaxed sessions
A Relaxed Session is a good way to enjoy the museum at a quieter pace. These times are especially suited to people with autism, anxiety and associated conditions. Everyone is welcome at RAMM.
Numbers are limited to create a calmer atmosphere, so book before you travel to be sure of your place.
To book a free place visit RAMMs Relaxed Sessions page. If you are unable to use pre-booked tickets, they can be transferred to a later Relaxed session time/date (space permitting).
Entry via the Queen Street entrance at the front of the building. Toilets will be open and are fully accessible.
Ear defenders are free to borrow. If you need to step into a separate calm area during your visit, just ask at Reception.
Get in touch on ramm.enquiries@exeter.gov.uk or ask at Reception for more information.
See RAMMs access page for visual stories to prepare your visit.
Exeter College Open Events
22 April 2026 16:00-19:00
Open Events are the perfect way to find out more about life at Exeter College. The Open Events are for school leavers, those looking for an Apprenticeship and adult learners interested in professional or degree level courses or leisure courses.
The next Open Event is a chance for anyone interested in finding out more about what the College can offer. Year 9, 10 and 11 students are welcome to register, as well as adult learners and those interested in apprenticeships and higher education.
Register now for the Exeter College Open Event. Apply online exe-coll.ac.uk
RESEARCH STUDY – University of Exeter looking for volunteer teenagers with low mood and depression to take part
Dr Rachel Hayes, Senior Researcher working at the Medical School, University of Exeter in the Medical School is leading the Devon site of the ATTEND research study (https://attendstudy.org/) and looking for volunteers to take part. The study which is being run by the University of Cambridge and Kings College London is part of an investigation into whether an adapted form of mindfulness could be helpful for teenagers who are experiencing low mood or depression. Criteria as below:
- 15–18 years old
- symptoms of depression or low mood
- previously received treatment for depression, low mood or anxiety
- able to engage in group-based mindfulness therapy
Young people will be randomised to either take part in the new mindfulness treatment in addition to their existing treatment options, or to continue with their existing treatment options only. The study also has the option to involve parents or carers with a parallel mindfulness group that they can attend. The first cohort of young people are being recruited from Exeter, with the first mindfulness group starting in the New Year.
Anyone interested should make contact with Dr Rachel Hayes directly:
Dr Rachel Hayes, Senior Research Fellow, R.A.Hayes@exeter.ac.uk
Exeter Phoenix Freefall Youth Arts Group
Freefall is a youth arts group for young people aged between 13-16 years run by Exeter Phoenix. The group aims to create a space to socialize, share ideas and opinions and develop creative projects together.
Thursdays 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Places are available in 5-week (half-termly) blocks during term times, on a PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN* basis, equivalent to £10, £5 or £0 per session.
Please see more details on the Freefall website before you book.
North Devon Forum for Autistic Spectrum Conditions and ADHD
Coffee Mornings – Usually the 4th Thursday of the month (not December) – 10:00am – 12:30pm
Roundswell Community Centre, Barnstaple (next to Sainsbury’s) EX31 3NL
The library is now up and running, so there will be the opportunity to borrow books again.
Children are welcome at these events – especially in school holiday time. It is suggested they bring something to keep themselves occupied during the morning, even more so when there is a speaker.
Visit the NDAF Facebook page to find out more.
Lumi Nova: Discovery Session for Parents
To find out more about the app attend a free 45 minute introduction to Lumi Nova. Discover how Lumi Nova can support children aged 7-12 to tackle their fears and worries. The app can be used for young people outside of this age group, if parents feel its appropriate.
Reserve a free spot on the session by visiting the Lumi Nova in Devon: Discovery Session booking page
RAMM Home Ed Sessions
Royal Albert Memorial Museum now offers museum-led visits for home educated children, who are invited to take an active role in learning about the fascinating world of the Ancient Egyptians, Romans in Devon or the Second World War and the Exeter Blitz. **Note**There will be limited spaces available for RAMMs upcoming home ed sessions so, if you are interested, book up as soon as possible.
The sessions are aimed at children aged 7 to 11 (Key Stage 2). They are individually ticketed, allowing you to book just the number of places you require.
The maximum number of children that will be present in one session is 20, with a minimum of 12 children needed in total from all families booking to run the session. At least one parent/carer, who is prepared to participate, should accompany each family group, and remain with the children throughout.
There are five activities/tours to undertake during each museum-led visit and they will allocate you into smaller groups 6 to 8 to participate for up to 25 minutes in each activity/tour.
Arrival will be from 10:00 (10:15 on Tuesdays) with activities starting at 10:30 and finishing at 14:00 and will include a private room for the whole group to share. Lunch will be 12:00 to 12:45. It is recommended that you bring a packed lunch and any other snacks that are required. The private room can also be used as breakout space should a family member require it to step away from the active learning session.
Sign up to get access to the RAMM Home Ed sessions.
Youth Voice Chess Programme – Tiverton
Shirin and David would like to tell you about their school Youth Voice Chess Programme (no experience in chess is necessary) that children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities or who are neuro-divergent can join.
They are both participation workers with Devon County Council and have developed a six-session programme for young people who are home educated. Each session will last two hours, between 10:00 and 12:00 and they aim to have a group of 6-8 young people.
The sessions aim to provide an opportunity for young people to learn about youth voice including the value of their views and the impact their ‘voice’ can have on creating positive change.
Some of the core skills young people will have the opportunity to practice and develop during the programme include: Strategic thinking, Resilience, Listening and Negotiation and more. Chess can help develop some of these skills.
If your child is interested in finding out more and/or you would like more information please contact them either via email shirin.khastar@devon.gov.uk or David david.ruiz@devon.gov.uk. They can also be contacted via telephone 07773 954421 or 01392 383000 (when prompted as for them by name)
Esteem Team Parent Carer CATCH
CATCH (Coffee and Tea, Chat and Help) invite you to their parent carer social and peer support sessions.
Wednesday mornings (term time) 9.30-11.30am
Scott Drive Church, 39 Scott drive, Exmouth EX8 3LF
Check their Esteem Team Parent Carer Support Facebook page for updates.
Home Educators in the Exmouth area
Exmouth Coastal Churches are currently advertising for a Youth Worker. Following research, it has been identified that there are not enough daytime groups for home educated young people. Please complete this survey (parent/carer and young people) as the answers and comments will be used to identify what is needed.
Eden Project Community Days: Free Entry Offer
The Eden Project invite a range of groups to visit and enjoy the Eden Project for free on certain dates. Home Educators are able to take up this offer by pre-booking on their website.
Community Bookings for the dates will open closer to the time.
Each ticket entitles the individual to free entry to the Eden Project for them and their immediate family for the day (that’s a maximum of one extra adult and two children aged 16 and under). Please book for all members of your family, including children and personal assistants (for those with a disability). Then simply bring the relevant ID with you when you arrive.
You will need to take a copy of your EHE Registration Certificate or confirmation letter/email to show that you are home educating.
Booking for next dates will be available later in the year for the winter season.
To check when they are available and to book a ticket, visit the booking page on the Eden Projects Website
Family Fund
Discover Digital workshops
Family Fund run a range of creative and support iPad workshops. The creative workshops are fun for your child and family. The support workshops are aimed at parents/carers to help get your device set up safely.
Find out more and book a place on any of the above workshops here on the Family Fund website.
Let’s Talk Teenagers Bitesize Videos
South Devon and Dartmoor Community Safety Partnership – Let’s Talk Devon have uploaded six bitesize recordings onto their YouTube Channel. The sessions range from just 19 minutes long to a maximum of half an hour and they offer their usual tips and techniques, along with details of support services.
The recordings include:
- Family Strengthening
- Changing Youth Culture
- Community Risks
- Online Challenges
- Emotional Wellbeing
- Healthy Relationships
Buckfastleigh Swimming Pool
Cold water swimming is returning at Buckfastleigh Swimming Pool! It will run every Sunday from 21st September 9-10:30am. Buckfastleigh Swimming Pool will share water temperatures each week but would expect it to be around 20° in the first week. With full lifeguard support and hot drinks to warm you up after, it’s a lovely way to acclimatise to cold water swimming as the seasons progress.
Buckfastleigh Swimming Pool Home Education Sessions
Lots of schools offer swimming lessons as part of their curriculum, but this opportunity doesn’t come quite as easily when your parents are your teachers. Buckfastleigh Swimming Pool offer a session specifically for home educated young people to take the stress out of it. They also try to make sure they have a swimming teacher on hand for every session so you can ask for any tips and hints.
Though all non-swimmers and under 8s must be accompanied by an adult in the water, every paying child is entitled to bring in one adult for free.
To find out more, call 01364 642222 or email bfl.pool@yahoo.co.uk
Newton Abbot Museum
The museum supports Home Education and have this message on their website:
We recognise that learning takes many forms, and we are delighted to welcome home educators to our Museum. If you’d like to organise workshops or activities as a group of home educators, then please contact us using the form at the bottom on the Home Education page.
Home educating families are welcome to visit at any time, and we have a range of activity sheets available for you to use as you explore the museum. Some of these are available above to download at home before your visit from our Resources page.
Home Ed Lego Workshops
We also collaborate with Brickideas to run workshops specifically for home educators.
Taking inspiration from the museum collection you will have the opportunity to create wonderful contraptions from Lego.
Brickideas can help home schools groups by providing design and technology workshop which can link to any topic.
Please note that the children will be working in group of 2-3 during these workshops. They must be aged 6+ and accompanied by an adult.
Check on the Brickideas page for future sessions.
University of Exeter Campus Experience Day
Where: Streatham Campus, University of Exeter
When: Tuesday 4 August 2026, 11:45am–3:30pm
Who: Home-educated young people aged 13+ (parents/carers welcome to attend)
Join University of Exeter staff and students for a day of interactive activities, including a campus tour, a session with the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum, and opportunities to meet and ask questions of current students and staff.
Please bring a packed lunch or a debit card to purchase food on campus (the University is cashless). Support and accessibility needs can be highlighted on the application form, and parents/carers are welcome to accompany young people who require support.
Booking deadline: 12 noon, Friday 31 July 2026
To book, complete the application form: University of Exeter booking form
For questions, contact Caspian at socialmobility@exeter.ac.uk.