Celebrating achievement and learning
17 August 2012
There was nothing unlucky about the number 13 for a group of
winners from across Kent, recognised for their achievements just
before the end of the school year.
A baker’s dozen of awards were handed out to young people and a
school at a special celebration to highlight particular academic
and vocational progress.
The Celebration of Learning 2011/12 winners came from right
around the county and shared the limelight with the winners of an
engineering competition, announced on the same day.
Eight teams of young people took on the challenge to design,
assemble and test an efficient and economic wind turbine model.
Each team also had to consider the impact of wind farms on local
communities, and how best to present them.
The competition, sponsored by and run with support from energy
firm Dong and the London Array, was won by Skinner’s School in
Tunbridge Wells with Wilmington Academy in second place and Dover
Grammar coming third.
John Cubitt, deputy Cabinet member for education, learning and
skills, said: “This celebration was a fantastic opportunity to give
credit to those young people who have made significant
achievements. It is a particular pleasure to recognise progress,
development and excellence – because academic qualifications are
not the only way to measure success.
“Encouraging skills development – particularly employability
skills – is very important. Young people need the support of
schools and colleges to make sure they are in a strong position as
they take the step from education to training and on to the world
of work. That is why skills development is such a key part of the
county council’s Bold Steps for Education.”