News
Innovative creative partnership transforming Birmingham school
Over the next academic year, pupils at Oasis Academy Hobmoor, Yardley in Birmingham will be working in unique partnership with a group of resident arts professionals. Led by Coventry-based digital-dance company Mercurial Dance, the Every Child Is An Artist programme will develop creative skills and the artistic ability of every child, and also create a space for art and creativity to flourish at the primary school.
Each school term will focus on a different aspect of creativity whilst investigating the theme ‘What is it like to be a young person growing up in Yardley today?’ Working every week with the team, the first term will see children exploring digital technology. Pupils will learn how to build a virtual 3D world online, creating films and avatars - their own online personalities - to populate it. Children will also use technology such as Makey Makey in fun ways in order to learn to hack and code objects. This could include turning a bunch of bananas into a keyboard, or hearing what a plant sounds like when you stroke a leaf. The remaining terms will see pupils explore the visual arts and performance.
Every term will end with an exhibition or performance to showcase the work of the whole school to the wider community in Yardley and beyond. These showcases aim to emphasise the school’s place in local community and show the creativity and ‘voice’ of the young people who attend. At the end of the year, all children will have earned an Arts Award, a qualification managed by Trinity College London and Arts Council England that is designed to build confidence and prepare for further education and employment.
Paul Tarry, Principal at Oasis Academy Hobmoor said: “We are so excited about the whole project and the opportunities for our children to explore genuinely cutting edge technology and techniques, with practicing artists of the highest calibre.
Already we have seen the children make amazing progress, and seen the engagement and enjoyment in the classes. We think it is going to change the children’s outlook and have a massive impact on their creative skill and the fun that they have in school."
This is the third year Mercurial Dance have worked with the school, having previously explored complex topics such as neuroscience through dance, and led a week of inspirational talks from professionals such as MPs, company executives and artists as well as workshops and trips, to raise pupils aspirations and explore how they can change their lives and the world around them.
www.oasisacademyhobmoor.org
Amanda Barrett wins Big School Bake Off
Amanda Barrett, catering manager at Bodmin College has been crowned Big School Bake Off winner 2015 following a tense final. The bakers were asked to prove their skill with pastry, seeing Amanda take the top spot with her take on a Strawberry Crème Patisserie. TV Bake Off winner Jo Wheatley headed up the team of judges, which also included Sally Shadrack, vice chair of LACA, Sylvie Babout, LACA representative, and Andy Lagor, Unilever Food Solutions business development chef.
The hotly contested final saw eight school caterers compete in a technical challenge. Finalists were offered a selection of ingredients to create their perfect sweet pastry dessert. The judges marked them on their choice of ingredients, skill and creativity, appearance, taste and texture. The selection process saw the finalists whittled down to just 18 on the strength of the paper entries. The semi-final then tasked them with bringing their recipe to life before a live judging panel, with the eight highest scoring contenders making it through to the final. Jo Wheatley said: “This year’s Big School Bake Off has been one of the toughest to judge yet. We had to make some hard decisions, but Amanda’s pastry stood out with its perfect pastry base with a hint of orange and its excellent finish – no soggy bottoms here!” Jo continued: “I’ve really felt the finalists’ passion at every stage of the competition, and have been bowled over by their skill – schools are lucky to be home to such impressive talent.”
James Allred, channel marketing manager, Unilever Food Solutions, said: “Big School Bake Off is a highlight of the school catering calendar because it recognises the dedication and passion which goes into feeding children. The level of skill the entrants have shown has been outstanding. I’d like to congratulate all of them – I know each school will be proud.” Following in the footsteps of Sarah Medlicott, from Torbay School, Paignton, Amanda receives the Big School Bake Off title, plus a trophy for her and her school, a workshop for four with Jo Wheatley and £100 high street vouchers donated by competition supporter Hobart UK.
www.unileverfoodsolutions.co.uk/menu-support/baking-in- schools.html
October 2015
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