Students from the college's elite Michael Caines Academy got the opportunity to work with the region's top chefs this weekend as they provided the essential sous chef and back up support for the Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink.

Joining the celebrity and local chefs and restaurateurs on the main cookery theatre stage, the students were able to witness close up competitive cook offs and masterclasses on a wide range of culinary skills from seafood preparation to specialist Indian foods.

Supporting the menu of chef stars such as Peter Gorton, TV chef Lesley Waters, Michelin starred Nathan Outlaw, as well as their own mentor and leader Michael Caines MBE, the students were at the Festival for the third year running, gaining that all important experience of seeing the area's most successful chefs at work. “Still trying to get over the fact that I got to work with Peter Gorton at Exeter Food Festival on stage,” tweeted Stephanie Colvin with the MasterChef replying “thank you for your help – you did a great job.”

“This Festival is now a firm favourite on the Academy calendar” said John Wheeler who leads the Michael Caines Academy “it's a great way for the students to see so many different talented chefs over the weekend – it's a crash course in different styles of catering and fine cuisine and also the importance of understanding ingredients and local produce.”

The Food Festival, now in its 11th year, is led by the Festival Board including the Academy's mentor Michael Caines MBE and has grown into an event of regional and national importance. 'Yet at its heart it remains a community happening,” said Michael Caines ” a success because producers, chefs, exhibitors and the food-loving public all come together to celebrate and enjoy the goodness and excellence of food and drink in the south west.”

Other praise for the MC Academy students came from fellow sponsors of the Food Festival Into-to Kitchens “Brilliant work again this year for MCaines Academy assisting all the chefs, thanks and well done” and Paramount Personnel “As always the students have done the college and themselves proud.”

Two young would be MasterChefs battled out for top spot in the Great Schools' Cook Off final in front of the crowds of food enthusiasts at the Exeter's South West Food and Drink Festival this weekend.

The young contestants, Melissa Johnson, 15 from The Kings School and Kathryn McDowell, 15 from Exmouth Community College showed off their culinary skills after having beaten off 9 fellow school colleagues, drawn from schools from Exeter and across Devon, in the competitions' semi-finals held at the Skills Kitchen at Exeter College at the end of March.

The competition, organised by Exeter College and sponsored by Stagecoach, originated from an idea with Michael Caines, one of the Festival’s founders, governor at the college and founder and mentor for the college's elite hospitality training academy – Michael Caines Academy.

“Working in partnership with the schools we devised this challenge to show the public that flock to the Food Festival each year the massive talent we have in the county for the high standard of catering and hospitality in our young people.” said Rob Bosworth, Assistant Principal Exeter College, “We are very proud of the achievements of all the catering and hospitality students that join the college, and we felt it was important to celebrate the talent of even younger students in the schools in the area. And what a competition!”

The young pupils were challenged to prepare and cook ambitious menus for less than £7.50 in the pressurised performance that mirrors the popular TV Cook Off.

Kathryn, who moved from the States 8 years ago, created an American style burger which was praised by the judges but they chose Melissa's tasty treat of pan fried grey mullet and hearts of palms as ultimate winner.

And presenting Melissa with her winner's plate was Ruth Maddicks – last year’s winner from Uffculme who said “I felt quite nervous for the contestants.”

Proud sponsors Stagecoach supplied prizes for both the finalists, Kathryn received a 4 week gold megarider ticket and Melissa received a 13 week gold megarider ticket. Michael Caines offered signed copies of his new cookery book to each of the finalists and triumphant winner Melissa, also received dinner at Abode Exeter.

Art and Design students from Exeter College’s UAL Art and Design Diploma programme fought off stiff competition to win best concept at the Space Apps Challenge 'Hackathon' over Easter.

The competition, hosted by the Met Office in Exeter, attracted 9 teams from universities across the country. The only FE College team to take part, they chose a challenge set by NASA, to design and make fashionable and functional spacewear, for astronauts working on the International Space Station, in a weekend – competing with teams in London and across the world at the same time.

Joined by software developers and technologists, their product prototype featured internet connectivity linking the user to their family, friends and followers back on earth. A vision board sewn in to the sleeve would deliver weather updates and social networking alerts and a 'wearable hug' feature would allow family to send a message to the suit to physically squeeze the wearer when they are thinking of them.

The team were joined by experts in design and space materials from the University of Dundee and the Unlimited Space Agency and had a unique opportunity to hold a Skype consultation with British Astronaut Tim Peake, travelling to the International Space Station in 2015, who later tweeted them to say “fantastic job… can't wait to try it out”. In the live question and answer session, the students were able to quiz him about his preferred colours and style of the space suit.

The concept has been put forward for judging by the Kennedy Space Centre and NASA and will also be judged in a 'People’s Choice’ category voted for using social media.

For more information on the SpaceApps challenge visit:

http://bit.ly/unSpaceSuit

You can see the photos from the weekend here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/aburt/sets/72157643912809064/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/123353696@N08/sets/72157643989466813/

Following the success of last year's Peter Pan, Exeter College BTEC Performing Arts Department again return to the Barnfield Theatre with another family favourite promising a feast of music, movement and theatrical wonder.

This year, they are bringing their very special interpretation of C.S Lewis's classical tale of good versus evil to the Barnfield Theatre for six unique performances. This is not just a platform for talented and energetic young people to showcase their musical, movement and dramatic skills; it is a fully engaging show for a family audience.

While the show represents the climax of a year when the students have been working towards their industry led qualification, designed to equip them for the competitive world of performing arts, the focus is very much on engaging with young children, to inspire, amaze, delight and entertain.

“This year we've concentrated on creating and making theatre for a children's audience – something the section staff are passionate about,” said Nigel Paul, programme leader at the college. “The classic tale of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is brought to life and provides the ideal platform for the students to understand this genre of theatre and they're really excited to work with an audience with vivid and creative imaginations.”

The story sees four siblings evacuated from London to an unusual home in the countryside during the Blitz. Through a forgotten wardrobe filled with musty fur coats, the children discover the enchanted land of Narnia.

“This project provides a brilliant opportunity for us to show what our students are capable of,” said Jonathan Domaille, deputy head of media and performing arts at the college. “It also allows us to engage, capture and inspire future performers, designers, writers and most importantly theatre goers. We know that this will be a magical and enchanting experience for us to share with friends, family, colleagues and the public. We can't wait!”

This dynamic, colourful and magical piece of theatre will captivate audiences, as a secret world of magic, danger and talking animals, Narnia is ruthlessly ruled by the White Witch who has cast the land into eternal winter. Only the return of the Great Lion, Aslan, can break the Witch's evil spell.

And whilst the story is set in 1940, the college's performance has used a truly 21st century phenomenon with a social media campaign of web and twitter messages driving up the promotion plans with competition to tweet the college a picture of your best lion impression to win free tickets.

With live music, energetic dancing and a large cast of some of Exeter's most vibrant young performers we know you will want to join Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy on their magical and unexpected journey through Narnia.

Please click here to see photos from the rehearsals

More information

Barnfield Theatre 15th – 18th May

Performances – Thursday 10am, Friday 10am and 7pm, Saturday 1.30pm and 7pm and Sunday 1.30pm. Adults £9 Concessions £6 (Family Ticket 2 Adults/2 Children £25) Schools £4 Barnfield Box Office 01392 270891

Press release kindly written by Devon County Council

Book lovers in Devon are being invited to celebrate World Book Night at the County Council's libraries next week.

This year, 250,000 World Book Night editions (12,500 copies of 20 titles) will be given by a network of volunteer reading enthusiasts and institutions focusing on reaching the 35.2% of the population who don't read for pleasure.

In Exeter, library staff and volunteers will be giving out free books outside Exeter Central Station from a specially set up pop-up library from 12:00 to 4:00pm just across the road from Exeter College. Great news for commuters who may be able to grab themselves a free book before starting the journey home!

Dance in Devon will also be in attendance and is inviting passers by to 'stand and stare' as dance claims the streets for centre stage. There will be dance happenings and bookish flash mobs between 12.30-2.30pm where people can join in the flash mob as Exeter College Students will be on hand to teach the simple choreography. This event is supported by Arts Wave Devon and Exeter College.

It takes place on Wednesday 23 April, which is a symbolic date for world literature as it is the birth and death day of Shakespeare, as well as the death day of Cervantes, the great Spanish novelist. It is in their honour that UNESCO appointed it the international day of the book and that it was chosen to celebrate World Book Night.

By enlisting thousands of passionate book lovers around the country World Book Night reaches out to the millions of people in the UK who have yet to fall in love with reading in the hope that they can start them on their reading journey.

In addition World Book Night distributes half a million books directly to the hardest to reach potential readers in prisons, care homes, hospitals, sheltered, supported and social housing, the homeless and through partner charities working throughout the UK.

Events are taking place in libraries across Devon to mark the second annual global event on Monday 23 April, and everyone is invited to come along and celebrate the books and spread a love of reading in communities.

Cabinet member with responsibility for libraries, Roger Croad says; “I'm pleased to hear so much is going on in Devon to celebrate World Book Night. Events such as these are a real talking point in communities and help bring people together. This reaches out to people who may be less willing readers or not as confident as others so it's a great way of encouraging people of all ages to pick up a book. Thanks must go to all our volunteers who are helping on the night.”

For more information about what is going on at your local library please visit www.devon.gov.uk/libraries or call 0845 155 1001.

For more information about World Book Night please visit www.worldbooknight.org

Thank you to the TES for writing the article

A naked man lies above a naked woman. His hand is on her shin; hers is on his chest. Both are smiling. This is an ivory sex aid from 19th-century China, but it is also part of a new way to teach 21st-century sex education.

Academics from the University of Exeter found the carving among a forgotten collection of 1,000 sex objects from around the world, amassed by the pharmaceutical entrepreneur Henry Wellcome. Items include phallic amulets and Peruvian pots decorated with images of fellatio and anal sex. There is also a pin from Borneo, which was inserted horizontally through the penis as a form of birth control.

Rebecca Langlands, a classicist, and Kate Fisher, a historian, began inviting school parties to come and visit the collection. “It got them talking,” Dr Langlands said. “The kids were talking about stuff they'd never normally talk about. A lot of them came in saying, ‘I know it all already', but it wasn't what they were expecting.”

She and Professor Fisher worked with sex education specialist the RSE Hub to develop lessons that focus primarily on two of the objects: a metal chastity belt and the 19th-century Chinese carving. Although ancient, the items can help to generate discussions about modern pornography, gender politics and body image. Teachers show students pictures of the objects and ask what they think they might be used for.

“Is a chastity belt something that seems bizarre to us, or can we see similar things in our own culture?” Dr Langlands said. “Depending how confident the teacher is, you could very nicely segue into a conversation about female genital mutilation, and about control of female sexuality.”

The ivory carving, meanwhile, may have been used by Chinese doctors to teach their patients how to have a good sex life. This was believed to contribute to better overall health. “Classes can talk about sex education – should having a good sex life be a part of sex education?” Dr Langlands said.

The ivory woman also has very obviously bound feet. “That opens up discussion about body image, body modification and the norms around that,” she added. “It's a horrendous thing. But then you think, what about high heels? Those can be incredibly painful.”

“For me, the crucial thing is the distancing aspect,” said Alice Hoyle, coordinator of the RSE Hub. “We're looking at quite difficult issues: gender relations and power and porn. But to go strainht in with a conversation about modern-day porn can be much too sensitive for students.

“This allows a safer conversation, because you're talking about the past. You're not talking about anything going on for anyone in the present. Yes, you might end up talking about those issues, but in the context of the past.”

Laura Kerslake, who teaches ethics at Exeter College in the south-west of England, agrees. She showed her students a range of objects, including a Japanese carved shell that opens to reveal a naked woman, her legs spread.

“I wondered if there was going to be lots of silliness, giggling,” Ms Kerslake said. “But they were very mature about it. Traditional sex education is all about quite graphic images of bodily parts, but this wasn't about that at all.”

Her students also looked at a stone carving of an erect penis, which would have hung above shopfronts in ancient Rome to indicate prosperity. “I was thinking, what if that had been a modern image?” Ms Kerslake said. “They'd have curled up in embarrassment.

“But this takes the focus off [the students]. These objects allow them to look at the world outside themselves. The most important thing is that they come from another culture. It's not about the fact that it's a penis or a vagina, but about what it says about another culture, and about that culture's attitude to sex.

“We think we're so liberal nowadays, that our culture invented sex. But, actually, compared with a culture that was prepared to put a stone penis above a shop, we're not.”

Click here for more information on the University of Exeter's Sex and History project

Members of the Association of Colleges have elected Richard Atkins, Principal of Exeter College, as their new President-elect.

He will step into the role at the beginning of August when current President, Michele Sutton, stands down after her one-year term.

Richard Atkins, who worked at Harrods before changing tack and studying to be a teacher, said: “I'm a passionate supporter of our sector and see the presidential role in the run-up to the 2015 General Election as that of an advocate for colleges. Our further education colleges – general, sixth form and specialist – transform the life chances of their students and are an important national asset, but I'm all too aware of the challenges that lie ahead.

“The years following the election will continue to be fiscally tight and our sector has already been the hardest hit, both provision for 16 to 18-year-olds and the adult skills budget. I'll be lobbying all of the main parties to make it clear that we want to see fairness and transparency – they can't continue to squeeze the adaptive layer in the middle while protecting schools and universities.

“The role of colleges has also changed in recent years with some launching academies, university technical colleges and career colleges, but we can't continue to do more with less so I'll be calling on Government to provide a clearer strategic vision of what they see as our role over the next three to five years.”

Richard, who will be AoC's seventh President, has been a college principal for 19 years, originally at Yeovil College before taking up his current post at Exeter in 2002. Prior to this he worked in teaching and management roles in schools and colleges in York, Surrey and Sussex. He has held a number of national positions within the further education sector, including sitting on AoC's board from 2007-2013 (as deputy chair from 2009) and as a commissioner on the Commission for Adult and Vocational Teaching and Learning.

He spent several years in retail and distribution at Harrods before studying education at Reading University and then Surrey University.

Exeter College, established in 1970 as the first tertiary college in the UK, was judged as outstanding by Ofsted in January 2014. The college has twice featured in The Sunday Times 100 Best Places to Work in the UK listings and has won several AoC Beacon Awards for curriculum excellence. In 2012 the college was voted the UK's FE Provider of the Year by the Times Educational Supplement.

The office of President was established in 2007 to further enhance AoC's work in representing and promoting colleges, following a strategic review of the association. The President works closely with the executive team and the AoC board, helping shape AoC's policy and representing the interests of the sector at the highest national level with Government ministers, civil servants, and other sector bodies.

AoC's Chair, Carole Stott MBE, said: “Our sector is coping with the demands of deep year-on-year national funding cuts and a raft of far-reaching policy and curriculum changes. Principals across the country are being put to the test as they find innovative ways of managing these challenges. It is a real testament to Richard's ability and inexhaustible energy that he's put himself forward for this important role.

“I know that he will bring his wisdom and experience to promoting the vital work of our colleges. In Richard, AoC and our members will have a real champion for everything colleges stand for.”

Martin Doel, AoC Chief Executive, said: “Richard will bring real drive and expertise to the role and we'll all look forward to working alongside him. It is clear that he's passionate about both the work and the worth of colleges and will be able to take up the cudgel for the sector in what will be a very busy time in the run-up to 2015.”

Current AoC President, Michele Sutton, said: “I'm delighted that Richard will be my successor. I'm sure he'll bring not only his extensive experience and wisdom, but also a real passion for the sector and will be a fantastic ambassador for colleges. I look forward to working closely with him over the next few months.”

Thanks to Oliver Puckup from the Telegraph for the game write-up

Trent College came from behind against Exeter College to secure their maiden success in the Under-18 NatWest Schools Cup Vase on Saturday, and held on to win 17-16 after a gutsy second-half performance in a cracker of a final at Twickenham.

In a brilliant climax, the result was in doubt right until the last kick, as a late Exeter try meant that their talented captain Billy Searle had the chance to win the silverware with a conversion from the right-hand touch line.

Sadly for him and his side – and the hundreds fans who had made the trip from Devon – his effort, while on target, was not hit with enough power and dropped agonisingly short.

“I just tried to stay calm, keep my head down – I hit it well but unfortunately it was not there,” said the skipper afterwards in the bowels of Twickenham after the match, with an understandably gloomy disposition, having watched Trent lift the trophy. “I'm so gutted.

“I think we eased off five minutes before the end of the first half, thinking we were already there. It was a great final, and really intense, and I enjoyed it a lot. Obviously it would have been even more special had we won, but it wasn't to be. It was awesome to play at Twickenham – one of the best experiences I've ever had. We did the 200 travelling supporters proud.”

The game was finely poised at the break, with Exeter College with their noses slightly in front, leading 8-7. But two tries in the second period saw the boys in blue from Nottinghamshire home.

Exeter fly-half Searle was pulling the strings for his side, and proved very inventive with ball in hand and also with his left boot, which he used to chip the ball short and long to good effect. The teenager showed he had an excellent rugby brain, and it was his call to punt for the lineout in the left-hand corner rather than go for the three points after 15 minutes.

It paid off when, from the resulting rolling maul, blindside flanker Ross Watts was able to cross the whitewash. Searle, with chalk on his boots out on the touchline, wrapped his foot around the conversion attempt – and it had the distance – but it was dragged to the left of the uprights.

The stand-off did extend Exeter's lead in the 23rd minute, however, with a penalty, taking them 8-0 up.

Trent showed great character to come back, though, and set the Exeter alarm bells ringing five minutes before the end of the first half. Full-back Gabriel Calland was short with his penalty attempt, but soon afterwards lock James Benstead was able to reach over from close range. Calland made no mistake with the conversion, and it proved vital that he gained his side those two extra points.

Seven minutes after the break a Searle penalty took Exeter 11-7 ahead, but Trent hit back and, for the first time in the match, went in to the lead through Ashley Britton's try. The outside centre finished off a neat move, and was found following good quick hands by flanker William Allman and then Calland.

In the last couple of minutes captain Ben Trembling powered over in the left-hand corner after unrelenting pressure, but Exeter hit back almost immediately through substitute James Newman, though the replacement back will have regretted not dotting down closer to the posts, as the conversion proved too difficult for his captain, Searle.

The Trent team and supporters, hushed while Searle lined up his kick and managed a good connection, erupted when they realised it was short bringing to a close a brilliant finale.

With a blooded lip and an almost stupefied grin, No8 Trembling, who proved himself a superb leader, was immensely proud to lift the Vase at the scintillating game's conclusion. “It's an absolutely brilliant feeling,” he said, clutching his winners' medal. “I've dreamt of this day but didn't really think it would happen. Even last night. We knew we had a really big chance but when the final whistle went it was phenomenal.”Trembling and his Trent teammates certainly deserve a knees up, though the Exeter side can console themselves with the fact that they put in a brilliant show, befitting of a classic final.

A group of high flyers from the city's college have beaten off 600 students from over forty schools and colleges from the UK and Europe to jointly win the prestigious Model United Nations (MUN) debating competition held in Bath last weekend.

Proudly showing off their winner's plate, previously engraved with some of the country's top public schools such as Eton, Haberdashers and Cheadle Hulme, the group of 5 students from the Reach Academy at Exeter College is the first state team ever to win the Best Delegation title at the Bath International Schools' MUN event.

The Model United Nations is a simulation or role play of the United Nations and participants take on the role of delegates from countries who are members of the UN and debate serious global issues facing the international community today such as international debt, the situation in Syria and child soldiers. All MUN competitions are run as a model of the real UN – with the focus on national policy and political knowledge – with many benefits for the delegates such as building confidence and increasing knowledge of international business, politics and culture.

“This competition enables our students to experience and experiment with strategic thinking, negotiation, diplomacy, public speaking, international relations and independent research” said Martin Gilbert, coordinator of the college's Reach Academy. “Many of these skills are essential in the careers these students are considering and the MUN challenges them to see the global picture of decisions being made. The Reach Academy, through the support of the Met Office and other local businesses, gives the students experiences such as work placements and visiting speakers to openly challenge and debate current affairs. “This competition is the end of a series of debating events and we're proud that we've had Best Delegation from all three of the south west competitions already, but the success at Bath was the most prestigious with the truly international calibre of fellow delegates.”

Taking on the role of diplomats, the winning team represented Bosnia and Herzegovina and over the 3-day intensive programme used a range of skills to get their ideas endorsed by fellow delegates before being challenged to present their arguments to the whole assembly. They won joint place with King Edwards School from Bath who last year won the competition outright.

Joseph McShane, 17, originally from Isca school has hopes of doing Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford University and said “The competition was difficult since we needed to initially lobby for support and, as we were representing Bosnia, it was not so easy to attract delegates as perhaps some of the larger countries. It was a challenge to think from someone else's self-interest and point of view rather than our own opinions and the debating standard was really high.”

Preparation is key and the college group had been able to work closely with three University of Exeter students (Lily Noal, Peter Tse and Joe Dale) from 'Model Diplomacy' who helped them plan their key debating points and resolutions in the run up to the competition this month. “Lily, Peter and Joe have been absolutely fantastic working with our students. They give them so much time and support and the students really respond to them. This support was particularly crucial for the Bath conference as we only heard 3 weeks ago we would be able to enter,” said Martin Gilbert “Our other team representing Nepal were also commended so the team as a whole can be very proud'.

“Overall the weekend was an amazing experience,” said Amy Denham, 19 originally from Pilton School, Barnstaple “we've never experienced anything like this before. I found it both personally rewarding and exhilarating. There's no-one to thank more than Martin, Lily, Joe and Peter. I'm hoping to go to University to study International Relations and this event was a big opportunity to meet and network with people from very different backgrounds, when you debate and challenge you can then see you have many similarities.”

“I am delighted with the success of our Reach Academy team at the MUN at Bath as they join the list of illustrious former winners. The Reach Academy is designed to support, stretch and challenge those students who are aspiring to reach the top Universities and this competition, as well as the range of extra-curricular activities and masterclasses they attend, will equip them with the skills they will need for the future whilst raising awareness of the diversity of our international community. To have gained the top accolade against some very challenging teams is outstanding.”

Kindly written by Stagecoach

For the second year running Stagecoach South West is sponsoring Exeter College's Schools' Cook Off competition which sees its challenging final take place on the opening day of the city's prestigious Festival of South West Food & Drink.

The competition, which gives the best young chefs from schools in Exeter and beyond a chance to demonstrate their culinary skills, originated from an idea from Michelin starred chef Michael Caines. Michael is not only one of the Festival's founders but also Governor at Exeter College and founder and mentor for the College's elite Michael Caines' Academy, which specialises in training young people for employment in the hospitality industry.

This year eight schools entered and, following a series of in-school heats, whittled down their aspiring chefs to the final eleven who were put through their culinary paces at the semi-final event. This was held in the new Skills Kitchen at Exeter College on the evening of Monday 24th March. Here, each student cooked a two course menu of their own devising, with dishes on offer including such tasty treats as Sushi 3 Ways, Goats Cheese Ravioli, Herb Crusted Lamb and Thai Chicken.

Each menu was tasted and judged by Michael Watson, Managing Director of Stagecoach South West and John Wheeler and Stuart Fowles, Chef Lecturers at Exeter College. After much debate amongst the judges, two finalists were selected: Kathryn McDowell from Exmouth Community College, who cooked American style Burgers served with Sweet Potato Chips followed by Blueberry Cheesecake with Fruit Coulis and Melissa Johnson, from The King's School, who cooked pan fried Grey Mullet with Potato Boulangère with Pea puree, Hearts of Palm and roasted Tomato stuffed Peppers followed by Apricot Cheesecake with Crème Fraîche and caramelised Hazelnuts. Kathryn and Melissa will now go on to cook their winning menus at the live ‘cook off' final which is being held at the festival on the afternoon of Friday 25th April.

Michael Watson commented “I'm delighted we're once again sponsoring the cook off competition and very impressed at the high standards of cooking on show here today. It's made choosing the finalists an extremely difficult task but, after much debate, we all felt Kathryn and Melissa deserved to make it through to the final heat.”

John Wheeler, Deputy Head of the Hospitality Faculty at Exeter College, said “We devised this challenge for local schools to show the public that flock to the Food Festival each year the massive amount of talent our young people have. We are very proud of the achievements of all the catering and hospitality students that join the college, and we felt it was important to celebrate the achievements of even younger students in the schools in the area. I'm already looking forward to the finals at the food festival!”

John added “It's great that after such a success at last year's festival the competition has again attracted a really high standard. We're even more delighted that last year's runner up, Bethany Baines, just pipped to the top spot, has applied to be one of our elite Michael Caines Academy students- a real example of how this type of competition can inspire excellence.”

Deborah Capon, Teacher from Kings' School said “The Schools' Cook Off is a fantastic opportunity for students to work in a real catering kitchen that we can't provide. It is nice for our students to mix with students from other schools.”

All semi-finalists and the finalists received certificates plus vouchers for free bus travel on Stagecoach South West buses.