STUDENTS and staff at the School for Inspiring Talents will be celebrating the start of 2023 with the news that their proprietor, Mark Escott, has been recognised in the King’s first New Year’s Honours list.

Mark founded the School for Inspiring Talents in 2014, alongside Judith Johnson and Dave Strudwick. Mark has been awarded the Medal of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) for his commitment to education.

In 2014 he set up School for Inspiring Talents, an independent day school where specialist educational, therapeutic and support staff work together to create a nurturing environment, working with young people and families who have experienced trauma.

The school now has sites in Newton Abbot and Ashburton, supporting nearly 70 children who travel from areas across South Devon to attend the specialist provision, including Plymouth, Ivybridge, Exeter, Torbay and Dartmoor. 

Mark, who lives in Exeter, says: ‘I feel quite humbled by this news – it’s already been a huge journey for me, from being a troubled teenager and school drop-out to being the co-founder of a school that actively supports children who have experienced trauma and gives them chances to thrive.

‘I’m looking forward to sharing this with my own children, but also with the students at the School; to show them you really can achieve more than you ever thought possible.’

Life Chance Group’s CEO, Hannah Moon says: ‘Everyone here at Life Chance and School for Inspiring Talents will be delighted by this news; it is well-deserved recognition for Mark, who has dedicated so much time and enthusiasm to creating a nurturing school environment that enables children to get the very best support and opportunities, helping young people who, like Mark, were in danger of slipping through the net of mainstream education.’