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Bringing the innovation agenda into the classroom
Date: 20 July 2006
What better place is there to inspire the innovators of tomorrow than in the school classroom? ExDRA has being doing just that as part of its innovation programme of activity and two practical projects to help the County’s school children to be inspired by the power of innovation are now up and running and making a real impact.
Working with the East of England Multimedia Alliance, EEDA and Chelmer Valley High School in Chelmsford, a new website
www.gotechnology.org.uk has been developed. The site provides students with practical advice on careers in IT and multimedia.
David Franklin, the Headteacher at Chelmer Valley High School in Chelmsford is delighted with the initiative. “The website offers students really simple and practical advice on multimedia and IT careers. Essex has a great tradition of innovation and I’m sure that the website will prove to be a major resource for students wishing to move their future careers in this direction.”
In addition to this “virtual service” ExDRA has also been instrumental in securing funding for the development of an “i-Lab” at Hassenbrook School in Stanford–le –Hope.
In partnership with both the school and Link-Ed, ExDRA was successful in securing the funding that has enabled the creation of a truly innovative learning facility. Peter Cook, Innovation Strategy Development Manager at ExDRA, is excited about the potential of the i-Lab. “Creating an environment for schools to encourage innovative learning fits neatly with the aspirations of the Essex Innovation Network and I am delighted that Hassenbrook School now has this fantastic facility in place which is proving popular with children and the wider community in this part of Thurrock.”
For further information about either of these projects or the
Essex Innovation Network please contact Peter Cook, Innovation Strategy Development Manager –
peter.cook@exdra.co.uk
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Essex applauds its sporting heroes
Date: 25 October 2006
Sporting heroes, clubs and individuals across the county
were recognised at an Oscar style ceremony at the 2006 Essex, Southend and Thurrock Sports Awards, which took place at the Holiday Inn Basildon, last week.
The annual event shows appreciation for individuals and organisations that support sport in Essex and this year’s event produced some outstanding winners.
Compered by Simon Baldock from BBC Essex, seven awards were presented representing a spectrum of wonderful sporting achievement and dedication that makes Essex the great sporting county that it is. The winners were:
1. BBC Essex Unsung Hero Bob Pointer (Hambro Colts Youth Football Club, Rochford)
2. Wilson James Innovative Scheme NACRO Braintree Community Sports Project (football)
3. Wilson James Club/Team of the Year (KATS Netball Club, Colchester)
4. Basildon District Council Young Sports Personality Alex Dowsett (Maldon Cycling Club, Maldon)
5. Sport England Sports Person with a Disability Matthew Everett (deaf cricket, Epping Cricket Club)
6. Essex County Council Coach of the Year John Willson (Rayleigh Town Archery Club, Rayleigh)
7. Essex County Council Sports Personality of the Year Anne Strike (wheelchair athletics, Harlow Running Club).
Angela Littlewood, Director of sportessex, the organisers of the awards, was delighted with the calibre of this year’s winners. “The 2006 Awards were a truly wonderful occasion. I have nothing but admiration for everyone that was either nominated or won an award on the night. Essex has a real sporting pedigree and with people like this dedicating their lives to sport I am confident that the future of the county’s sporting prowess is in safe hands.”
Bob Pointer, the winner of the BBC Essex Sporting Hero exemplifies someone who has gone the extra mile as far as his sport is concerned. In addition to running Hambro Colts Youth Football Club in Rochford, Bob has engaged the wider community with football through establishing links with Cedar Special School. His dedication has led to the formation of a disabled section in the Club, called Soccerbility.
Bob was clearly delighted to receive the award “I am delighted to have won the award as the BBC Essex Unsung Hero. As someone who is passionate about the national game, I feel strongly that all sports can be accessed by everyone, which is something I have set out to achieve at Hambro Colts Youth Football Club.”
Essex applauds its sporting heroes Press Release 25.10.06 (874 KB) 
For further information please contact:
Angela Littlewood
Tel: 01245 702490
Email: angela.littlewood@exdra.co.uk
Stuart Graham
Tel: 01245 702415
Email: stuart.graham@exdra.co.uk
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