PUPILS at Elgar Technology College are marking the end of what has been a transitional year for the school.

It is 12 months since the school was awarded specialist status as a technology college.

And what a year it has been!

Walking through the building it is plain to see how the pupils have benefited and are set to take further advantage of opportunities available to them.

Headteacher Dr Graham Watts has seen the college through its success at the bidding stage and the initial stages of transforming itself into a place of excellence.

"This year has been great, absolutely super," he said.

"We're pushing ahead on the curriculum front and the school is becoming more popular. We're going to expand by 200 pupils to 1,050.

"We're getting high quality provision, which our children deserve. It's a fantastically exciting time for the school.

"No one's ever claimed that the school has completely changed and there are issues to be addressed, but we are addressing them.

"It's support from the education department, parents, staff and the community that makes this a great place to be."

The school received funding from local businesses as well as from the Department for Education and Skills.

They work very closely with Yamazaki, who are based on the Shire Business Park, Warndon, and are linked with Cryoservice and Royal Worcester Porcelain among others.

"It's vital we have local support," said Dr Watts.

"They've given us financial support but we have also taken one of Yamazaki's graduate engineers on to our governing body to help us monitor our staff.

"He has to report back to all of our sponsors to confirm that we are doing what we said we would.

"We're also furthering our links with primary schools and the colleges, offering adult computer courses for beginners and the school is becoming more of a place for lifelong learning facilities.

"The Government requires us to have a student computer ratio of six pupils to every one computer by 2004, but we're there now.

"We've got capital and recurrent funding to offer extras and we've employed two new ICT technicians to help the students.

"The teachers have been able to get into industry and we've set up ICT lessons for all key stage three students.

"From September, we'll be offering two vocational GCSEs, one in manufacturing and the other in health and social care.

"This is all down to technology status."

But it's not just about computers, though they do play a huge part in the grand scheme of things.

At the end of the day, it is about giving the pupils what they need to get a foothold in employment after school.

Within the school's refurbished classrooms there is an abundance of electronic equipment.

There is a resistant materials workshop where children will be able to participate in woodwork, metal work, ceramics and welding.

"We've got all sorts of electronic equipment to aid with design work. We can design logos and stitches are taken from the computer and onto material," said Dr Watts.

"All of these things are computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing. They're all going to get the opportunity to sit at a console, design what they want and be able to produce it.

"It's an experience of what goes on in industry day after day."

And to experience what goes on in industry every day some students are finding out first hand.

"We've vastly improved our alternative education at key stage four for those who are not suited to an academic career through to 16," said Dr Watts.

"We have 50 students doing vocational courses. They do a half-day at college, a half-day at work placement, one day elsewhere in work experience and three days in school doing GCSEs.

"That's very costly, but we wouldn't be able to do that if we had not won our bid. When they go from us they will already be on a vocational route.

First rate

"These are the sort of children who, when they leave school have obtained GCSEs, but have also had the chance to experience work. That is first rate and quite proper."

"We've still got a lot of work to do but it wouldn't be possible without the funding.

"When we achieved the status last year we were under no illusion that achieving it was a double-edged sword.

"Funding is an immense help, but it does mean we have to say we're going to achieve this, that and the other.

"It was important that it was a whole school initiative. It's not just about ICT, science and maths, but helping the whole curriculum."