Hartlepool school celebrates achievements in science and the arts

Eskdale Academy in Hartlepool is celebrating achieving a Artsmark Silver Award for their at gallery at the school.
(L-R) Macie Hutchinson, Johnnie Moor, Libbi Abbey, Art Cor-ordinator Miss Steph Smith, Alyssa Turnbull and Charlotte McPartlin. — Eskdale Academy in Hartlepool is celebrating achieving a Artsmark Silver Award for their at gallery at the school. (L-R) Macie Hutchinson, Johnnie Moor, Libbi Abbey, Art Cor-ordinator Miss Steph Smith, Alyssa Turnbull and Charlotte McPartlin.

Eskdale Academy, based on Eskdale Road, in Hartlepool, entered its pupils into the STEM competition called ‘if you were an engineer what would you do?’

Pupils were asked to come up with a problem and design a solution to it and then write a letter to explain why it should be made.

Different schools from across Teesside entered the competition, celebrates the ingenuity of children from three to 19 years of age and all entries are graded by engineers with the winning designs selected by an industry-led judging panel

Eskdale Academy young engineers, 5-year-olds William Pike and Archie Wise, who have won a STEM engineering competition.

Out of more than 2,000 entries submitted, a total of 14 winners were chosen and Eskdale pupils Archie Wise, five, and William Pike, five, were chosen as two of the winners for their creative ideas.

Science leader Stephanie Thomas said: “Archie came up with the idea to design balls for the feet and hands so that if you fell you would bounce back up.

“While William came up with the idea of a teleporter so that elderly people or those with mobility problems could move.

“The school was then invited to an awards ceremony at Teesside University, on Monday, June 17, which saw the two winners and their families and I, go along to see them get a trophy.

“Engineers from the university were also there to talk to the youngsters.”

As well as their achievements in science, the school as also recently celebrated its achievements in the arts after receiving the Artsmark Silver Award which recognises schools that are making the arts come alive.

Head teacher Elizabeth Killeen, said: ‘This was something we have been working hard towards over the last two years and clearly celebrates our ongoing commitment to arts and cultural education.

“Achieving the award clearly demonstrates that our children and young people have exceptional opportunities to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding of arts and culture across the whole school.

“This encompasses our broad and balanced curriculum, offering the children of Eskdake Academy the highest possible opportunities to enhance their learning.

“Staff and pupils should be very proud of themselves.”