Press Release Distributed 21/05/2010
On Monday young people from Moor End Technology College, Huddersfield will be unveiling their amazing sculpture to celebrate the 150th birthday of local engineering company – David Brown Gear Systems Limited.
Moor End Technology College signed up to take part in the Creative Partnerships programme, which is an opportunity for schools to explore what creativity is, and how it can drive improvement. CapeUK are the delivery agency for the Creative Partnerships programme in West and South Yorkshire.
After recently reviewing their art curriculum Moor End Technology College decided to incorporate a new curricular dimension, which involves opportunities for work related learning – enabling students to develop, recognise and apply their art skills beyond the classroom, for enterprise and employability. So with the help of CapeUK and artist Lisa Roberts, the school gave the students the opportunity to be practicing artists – working to a commission, targets, deadlines, writing a CV, pitching ideas etc…
The school worked in partnership with local company David Brown Gear Systems Limited, who were happy to be the clients for this creative project. This year David Brown Gear Systems Limited celebrate 150 years of business and they wanted to reflected this into a piece of art to display in their Huddersfield office.
In September 2009 a small group of year 10 OCR National Art and Design students began working on this project in their art lessons, looking at ‘Gears, Wheels and Mechanisms.’ They produced a series of primary observations and studied a number of artists, craftspeople and designers who use this theme in their own work.
Miss S Powdrill, Moor End Technology College says; “Taking part in this scheme has been a fantastic opportunity for students to understand how their Art and Design work can impact in the real world. They should be extremely proud of their achievements and the way in which their confidence has soared throughout this project.”
“This project has made the learning in the classroom relevant and meaningful, therefore the students are more willing to work hard and achieve. The project has brought the group together as a team, with teachers, students, creative practitioner and representatives from David Brown able to work side by side as co-constructors of learning.”
Pupil from Moor End Technology College said; “We have to work to deadlines but it’s good, it’s like real work. You can’t have all the time you want. We stay behind after school because we want to. It gives us a good idea of the bigger picture working with lots of different people.”
Students have had opportunities to voice opinions, discuss and lead the design and planning of this project at every stage, both in the classroom and in the boardroom at David Browns Gear Systems Limited.
Pete McGuigan, Learning Director, CapeUK says; “This is another great example of Creative Partnership work taking place across Yorkshire. This particular project has given students a real opportunity to experience and understand the role of an artist, aiding them with skills for employment.”
On Monday there will be a gathering of students and teachers from the Moor End Techology College and David Brown Gear Systems Limited members of staff, some who have been working for the company over 40 years, to see this project be unveiled to the public.
David Brown Gear Systems Limited will be unveiling the sculpture and thanking staff and young people from Moor End Technology College, artist Lisa Roberts and CapeUK.
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