3 minute read
Technology
Computing
Once again, we have all had to learn new technologies and ways of working. It brings home to us all how important ICT is for our students and how becoming an independent learner is key to being adaptable when faced with new apps, new interfaces or new software tools.
Remote working, the world over, is yet another change in societal behaviour brought on by technology innovations in times of need. It is Computer Science that teaches students how to develop and innovate those changes. I’m sure we can all reflect how core this is to our existence and, indeed, it is reflected in the number of students opting for Computer Science, especially in the Third Year where we have had to put on an extra class of Computing. GCSE and A Level uptake has increased also, but not enough to create the talent we are going to need in our workforce. It is always rewarding to see students graduate from Churcher’s to take up a Computing related degree and we have two remarkable students going off to study Computer Science.
Once again, we have had success in competitions, run remotely of course. Particular highlights were coming third in the Lockheed Martin UK CyberQuest competition early in the year and more recently a 1st place in the UK for both the advanced and novice category in the Lockheed Martin CodeQuest. A remarkable achievement, demonstrating the great talent coming up through the school. More cups for the cabinet! Oliver Fogelin has added to his remarkable list of achievements by coming very close to the podium for the best in the country in the final of the Oxford University Coding Challenge. I am also excited to see amazing talent and enthusiasm in our First Years, some of whom attend Coding Club and are already entering game creation competitions. The future looks bright!
We managed a trip to the National Museum of Computing Bletchley Park in October for the Fifth Year, which was a real treat between lockdowns.
Clubs continued as best as we could this year with the ever-popular Gaming Club and a new Coding Club for First Years which will be available to a wider audience when bubbles are removed.
Mrs K McCathie
Design & Technology
The last fifteen months have certainly impacted upon our ability to deliver
our traditional curriculum; however, we did find ways to ensure some practical activities were carried out. The entire Design and Technology team were extremely pleased to get back to the classroom environment where we are graced with a sea of keen faces rather than a sea of initials on a screen. We were also elated to get back into the practical tasks, turning the designs created during lockdown into practical outcomes.
The D&T accommodation has emerged from the cocoon of scaffolding to spread its wings in the form of a brand-new suite of classrooms and workshops. All staff and pupils appreciate the new accommodation with its high ceilings and ample viewing windows, giving the overall effect of a bright and airy teaching environment. We have been very lucky to have had extra funding to add new facilities to our lovely new accommodation, adding a range of smaller machines to reduce pupil waiting times during practical lesson, a new laser cutter capable of cutting metal and a suite of new 3D printers to enable rapid prototyping to occur.
Our usual end of year project showcase was a casualty of the pandemic, with no opportunity for the Fifth Year and Upper Sixth to present the fruits of their labours. In lieu of this, we curated a portfolio in the form of a design catalogue, complete with an array of images to best show off the students’ practical pieces.
After a year confined to home or school, we are eager to extend our students’ horizons and are planning to visit a range of different venues, for a range of experiences, including Ben Ainsley Racing in Portsmouth, Mini in Oxford, a Product Design seminar in London and a potential to trip to Paulton’s Park to focus on the designing of a new roller coaster.
Mr S Edington
