Shortlisted for 2013 TES Award

Year 7 learners from the Isle of Portland Aldridge Community Academy (IPACA) have been shortlisted twice for the Times Education Supplement Award for ‘Creativity’. The recognition comes after creating campaigns to support Digital Design Technology in schools.

The competition, which was open to all secondary schools in the country, has four finalists, two of which are from IPACA. The Academy’s Director of Digital Learning and Innovation Gary Spracklen said: ‘It is a real honour to have two separate teams selected for such a prestigious national award in our first year as an Academy. It’s great recognition of the hard work put in by students and staff on these projects, which have included showcasing the very latest ’3D print technology’ we have at the Academy. This recognition highlights our desire to be world-leading school in this field and is just one example of how we are embracing Digital Technology to support all our learners’.

Speaking about her involvement in the ‘IPACAMakey’ group, Year 7 student Naome Smith said, ‘I really enjoyed working on this project and I am really excited that we have made it to the final. Our project was focused on telling people about the amazing 3D printers we have at school. We created a 3D character called ‘Oni the Octopus’ and plan to take him to visit primary pupils within our Academy and tell them about the magic of Digital Design Technology’. Fellow team member Naome Wrightson added: ‘I can’t believe both groups for our school have made the final - that is really special! I loved working on the project and can’t wait to design more 3D products soon, I think this type of printing is the future.’

The second group, ‘IPACAMakers’ also spoke of their delight in being shortlisted, Year 7 student Matthew Price said: ‘I am so pleased all our hard work has paid off, this is so exciting! Our project was all around Pewter Jewellery and how a CNC Milling Machine can be used to create higher specification products’. Fellow group member Lottie Longshaw added, ‘We feel really proud that our work has been shortlisted for the award and cannot wait to hear the results’.

Representatives from the Isle of Portland Aldridge Community Academy will now travel to London on Friday 5th July to attend the TES Awards ceremony at the Park Plaza Hotel.