Business News
Great Expectations for PrintIT! 2008/9
Monday 22. September 2008 - As the government launches the first year of its new Diplomas for 14-19 year olds, PrintIT! the innovative school-based campaign aimed at introducing young people to a career in print is leading the field in school-based vocational learning by kicking off it's fourth exciting year.
The fact that the core values of PrintIT! are in tune with those of the new Diploma, was recognised by Prime Minister Gordon Brown in response to this year’s PrintIT! awards. “It is this sort of imaginative, exciting and practical learning that will be a feature of the new Diplomas that will be taught for the first time this year,” commented Mr Brown.
More than 24,000 students have already signed up to the new PrintIT! course, an increase of over 1,000 on last years numbers, and with two weeks still remaining before registration closes, this years project is set to build significantly on the 60,000 students who have previously taken part. Continuing with previous successes the project has once more been developed in conjunction with the Fairtrade Foundation. The awards ceremony will take place at Stationers Hall on 20th March 2009.
Paul Evans, Project Director of PrintIT!, believes that much of PrintIT!’s ongoing success is due to the continued support it receives from sponsors and the industry as a whole. “It is a testament to the commitment of all those involved that we have been able to establish PrintIT! as a successful, growing initiative, and a forerunner in a new era of vocational learning.”
Expectations for PrintIT! 2008/9 are high as GCSE design and technology exam results prove. Alan Nanson, Design and Technology teacher at Keswick School, Cumbria where PrintIT! 2007 winners, Sarah Kitching and Emily Webzell study, is delighted with the influence the initiative has had on pupils. Both girls achieved two grades higher than predicted with Emily achieving an A and Sarah an A*. Mr Nanson comments, “The experience of winning PrintIT!, the award ceremony in London and visiting printers has had a significant influence on both girls, giving them added knowledge and confidence in the subject and something to aim for.”
From those pupils who took part at Keswick School, over a quarter will continue to study design technology. “As a subject choice, success in the competition has attracted some of the most able pupils in the year group and I am confident that they can achieve even better results than last year.”
Phase four of PrintIT! has seen a number of new developments. The competition is now available to 14 year olds, giving pre-GCSE students the opportunity to learn about the modern, high-technology printing industry. This new younger age bracket allows pupils to experience printing before choosing their GCSE subjects, and may therefore influence how many opt to follow print-related courses.
Additionally, teachers are being given more time to run the course. It will now take place between September and the middle of January, allowing the students to spend longer on the project and to get as much out of the learning process as possible.
Schools will be able to submit all PrintIT! workbooks for judging whereas previous entries were restricted, thereby giving every student an equal chance to win a prize.
As PrintIT! continues to evolve, and with the knowledge of the positive effect it is having on students, 2008/9 is set to be the most successful yet.
The teacher packs and student workbooks are currently being distributed.