News
OCR and Codio sign five year agreement
Birmingham Ormiston Academy secures Brian Cox as patron for re-launched Old Rep Theatre
Birmingham Ormiston Academy (BOA) has announced that veteran actor Brian Cox is to become the patron of the revitalised Old Rep Theatre. Having taken over the running of the premises at the
beginning of September last year, BOA is already beginning to establish the theatre as a platform for aspiring young people. The academy’s students are responsible for the complete running of the theatre, both on stage and behind the scenes, allowing them to develop a combination of performance, administrative and technical theatre skills. The appointment of Brian Cox as patron for the
iconic Old Rep is an exciting announcement for BOA, which hopes the actor’s personal connection to the theatre will inspire its current students. The actor spent two of his formative years with the then named Birmingham Repertory theatre from 1966, with standout performances in Peer Gynt and As You Like It, amongst others. Cox, known for his roles in Troy and the Bourne film
trilogy, said of the Old Rep: “I have very fond memories of my time here at the Old Rep Theatre, which was a fantastic starting point for me. My love for the theatre is something that I have carried with me throughout my career, and I have no doubt that these students will do the same. BOA has provided some of the country’s most talented young people with a unique stepping stone to utilise such a fantastic stage, and I look forward to seeing them go on to achieve very successful careers.” Gaynor Cheshire, principal of Birmingham Ormiston
Academy, added: “We are delighted that Brian Cox has chosen to get involved with this exciting project, helping to link the theatre’s historical success stories with the talented students we currently have. Brian is held in extremely high regard within the industry, so it is an honour to have such an esteemed actor on board with this project. With Brian beginning his early career here he is a real inspiration for our students, who will hopefully go on to achieve similar success.”
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Codio Ltd, developer of the cloud-based coding and course content platform for teaching computer science in schools, has signed an agreement with leading UK exam board OCR to co-develop and market new curriculum-mapped content and related assessments. These will be uniquely integrated with the Codio Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and coding platform to help teachers deliver the new Computer Science curriculum. The deal will ensure that teachers have access to the appropriate technology and learning resources to teach and programming effectively. The Codio platform comprises an IDE and coding platform, with curriculum-mapped
course content and extensive teacher support for school set up and student group management. “Our five year agreement with OCR is a significant validation of the Codio technology,
underlining our commitment to innovation in the education space. We’re excited to be introducing better ways of teaching Computing into schools”, said Phillip Snalune, Co- founder of Codio. The partnership is initially to provide a proposition for UK schools, with potential plans for
Codio Ltd and OCR to work together internationally on a range of courses for the vocational and self-learning sectors in the future. Liam Sammon, Director of Education and Commercial Services at OCR, said, “OCR has an outstanding record in partnering with leaders within the technology space to provide qualifications and teaching resources that support education in ways which enable learners to realise their full potential. We’re thrilled to be partnering with Codio Ltd. and utilising the power of the Codio platform to enhance the teaching of Computing in schools”.
Bentley engineer goes back to school to inspire next generation
A former Harper Adams University student who works as an engineer with iconic British car maker Bentley has returned to his old secondary school to help inspire the next generation. Ten years after completing his A-levels, James Croxford took a Bentley car to
Adams’ Grammar School, in Newport, Shropshire, to launch a design and technology (DT) project. James, who graduated from Harper Adams University in 2011 with an honours
degree in off-road vehicle design, explained: “I have given the DT students a brief to design a new product that is suitable for the Bentley collection. It is quite a challenge so I can’t wait to see what they come up with. It has been really lovely to be able to return to my old school where it all began for me and to witness the passion the students have for their subject. I am looking forward to a return visit soon.” During the visit to his old school, James was able to tell the students all about the
success of Bentley as a company and as a brand and give them the opportunity to see the car and to have a play with all the innovative design features. He also told the students how he became a Bentley engineer. “My advice for young people looking for a career in engineering would be to make
sure that you get some hands-on experience because that is what makes the difference when applying for jobs,” James, from Gnosall, Staffordshire, added.
www.education-today.co.uk May 2015
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