News & Headteacher Blogs

Sponsored by local businesses, the ‘Festival of Digital Disruption’  #FashTech took place in Reading Town Hall from 21-23 November;  a celebration of digital creativity and innovation. The Downs School was delighted to be able to enter its Year 10 Creative iMedia students in the Fashtech Schools Challenge. The aim of this event is to inspire those with a creative leaning that tech based careers can be absolutely awesome.

A local illustrator had designed five characters, and the students were challenged to design a piece of tech (wearable, concept or futuristic to appeal to one of the characters). The event’s organiser Louize Clark came into school prior to the event to explain the challenge to the students and provided them with Challenge Boxes and inspired them to get creating! The boxes contained BBC Micro:bits, circuit boards and various other gadgets and craft materials.

On 23 November, our 12 students arrived at Reading Town Hall equipped with their ideas, ready to pitch. Students were first treated to a Product Design Master Class with Erica Purvis, followed by some group time to work on their pitch idea using some of the information gleaned from Erica. Next, was an App Design Master Class with Steve Smith, followed by a Branding Master Class. After some more Group time and pitch training, it was soon time for lunch and an inspirational talk by Marija Butkovic, on the Evolution of Wearables.

The day culminated in “The big pitch event”; our students were amazing! In their groups they got up on the stage and presented their ideas to a room of approx. 80 students from various schools, event organisers and the panel of judges. They also confidently answered questions from the floor about their products. We were delighted that one of our teams (Hannah K, Matthew B, Harvey R, William D & William R) were runners-up, with their “Smart-eye” idea.

The students really enjoyed the day.  “It was a good opportunity to improve confidence by talking in front of lots of people,” said  Matthew B.  Poppy G added: “A lovely community and overall brilliant day!” “There were some very inspirational speakers and I liked all the FODD helpers that came because they were friendly and helpful,” said Ella F summing up the day.