REVIEW OF THE YEAR 2007-2008 - Pershore High School

TechnologyReport by Neil Harding, Head of DepartmentThe year began with another set of exceptional results at GCSE and A level. These results were wellabove the national average and indicated the close working relationship between staff and studentsand the level of commitment of both. Students have had the benefit of being able to continue makinguse of our facilities taking advantage of incorporating CAD/CAM in the design process, which hasenabled industrial practice to be more fully utilised.All kinds of amazing products have been made using the full range of Technology materials. We lookforward to continued consolidation and development of skills and to creating innovative designs andproducts, which combine understanding and knowledge with practical applications.The Textiles and Food Technology areas moved into theirnewly refurbished rooms at the very beginning of the autumnterm in September. Once the chaos of unpacking had abatedand we were able to locate all the items we had 'put away verysafely' these rooms have been a massive improvement on ourlast accommodation. Whilst we might grumble that we areshort of space to display the students' work, we love the factthat the rooms are so light and airy.The impact on the students has been immediate and theyhave been lucky enough to be working with new equipmentthroughout these areas. It has been a revelation to theTextiles students to use digital printing, in combination with aheat press, to print designs onto their products. In Food theyhave been able to use digital printing to print directly ontoicing for celebration cakes. We consider ourselves extremelylucky and we hope that the students enjoy these facilities asmuch as we do.Students have been creating recipes for the Sainsbury's ActiveKids Challenge Competition in which pupils have to design andmake a main course and dessert for two using local andseasonal produce.The quality of cooking skills achieved has been superb and ithas been very rewarding to see pupils make the most of themarvellous resources grown and farmed in this region.Madeleine Sprott - Year 11Child's DressIn September we look forward to the launch of Licence ToCook, the new Government initiative which supports schoolslike Pershore High School who are already teaching youngpeople how to choose, prepare, and cook healthy food, witha nationally recognised certificate of achievement.Students have had many exciting opportunities to participate inwider learning experiences outside of the classroom. We havesupported students in the BT Challenge where students wereasked to design ICT based communication products promotingeducation through global inclusion. Their concepts werepresented at an event in London and were awarded secondplace nationally.The judges were so impressed with the enthusiasm and creativityof the Pershore High School group that they were invited to bepresent at this year’s Specialist Schools and Academies TrustAnnual Technology Conference and communicate their passion forthe scheme to headteachers, experts from industry and academia.Further opportunities for students have arisen through continuedinvestment in The Engineering Education Scheme (England).The scheme is an EDT Programme which links teams of fourYear 12 students and their teacher with local companies to workon real scientific, engineering and technological problems.Zach Bailey - Year 9mushroom and asparagus risotto