element 14 and Leeds Ahead's 'Make the Grade' programme collaborate to inspire pupils to consider career opportunities in science and technology

LONDON - May 30 2012 -  element14, the first collaborative community and electronics store for design engineers and electronics enthusiasts and a part of global electronics distributor Premier Farnell [LON:PFL], has donated a much coveted Raspberry Pi to Swallow Hill Community College in Leeds and held a master class with pupils and teachers to highlight the device's huge potential as an inspirational teaching aid. The initiative is part of a wider programme with Farnell element 14 partnering with social enterprise, Leeds Ahead in a programme called 'Make the Grade'.


element 14 is committed to playing its part in pioneering the necessary change in ICT teaching by working with schools and social enterprise bodies to help reignite childrens' passion for science and technology.  The teaching of information and communications technology (ICT) in UK schools has been a hot topic for many months with Ofsted, Schools Minister Nick Gibb, Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove and most recently Google's chief executive, Eric Schmidt, all of whom share a desire to enhance current teaching practices. Areas such as databases and programming often lack real-life relevance, which can inspire the majority of pupils. Where pupils do develop a specific interest in the subject, the experience they receive externally complements what they learn in the classroom and often spurs them onto greater achievement.


At the master class children aged between 11-12 worked in groups under the instruction of Mike Powell, Technical Development Manger, element 14 to create a number of web pages, using the Raspberry Pi as mini web server. The exercise was aimed at demonstrating the availability and use of open source applications, such as Linux, and to show the range of applications for the Raspberry Pi.


Speaking at the class Mike Powell commented: "The Raspberry Pi is the ideal teaching aid to inspire a new generation of engineers and computer experts, the added value of the element 14 community also means that rather than simply providing the equipment we can provide an invaluable online resource for anyone to discuss, share and develop ideas involving the Raspberry Pi. Today has been great fun and we're really looking forward to helping pupils at Swallow Hill find out just what else the Raspberry Pi can do."


"The master class was a fantastic opportunity for our kids to get an insight into the opportunities available with modern IT. We hope that days like this and the continued use of the Raspberry Pi at Swallow Hill will really inspire the pupils to consider careers in the field and give them a competitive advantage in a world were computer skills are more essential than ever," commented Bryan Pearce Assistant Principal, Swallow Hill Community College.


"The Raspberry Pi master class is the perfect example of what we do at Leeds Ahead, bringing the private sector together with public organisations to unlock social potential. Getting the pupils of Swallow Hill interested in programming and sharing the expertise of element 14 will not only benefit the children, but also local communities as the children develop new skills which can be reinvested in the future," added Sophie Nesworthy, Project Coordinator, Leeds Ahead.

Leeds Ahead works with the public and private sectors to foster social and economic regeneration in the city, in a bid to search for new talent coming through the ranks.  element14 and Leeds Ahead's 'Make the Grade' programme will be working with the school to create structured and tailored plans to offer pupils greater insight into a range of career opportunities.

ENDS

Editors' Notes:
The Raspberry Pi Model B computer is available through element14 at element14.com/raspberrypi

A selection of images from the day can be downloaded using this link gallery.me.com/simonx2#106485

About element14
Launched in June 2009, element14 is the first information portal, collaborative community and electronics store specifically built for electronic design engineers. The community recently unveiled its element14 knode, a unique automated platform that enables engineers to quickly research, design, develop and prototype in a single, intelligent environment. element14 is an innovative offering from Premier Farnell plc (LSE:pfl), FTSE 250, a leader in multi-channel electronics distribution trading throughout Europe (Farnell), the Americas (Newark) and Asia Pacific (element14). The company had group sales of £990.8m and underlying profits of £93.3m last year.

About Premier Farnell
Premier Farnell plc (LSE:pfl) is a global leader in high service distribution of technology products and solutions for electronic system design, maintenance and repair. Its differentiated proposition includes 29 local language transactional websites, and the critically important element14 Community for design engineers - an industry first (www.element14.com). With sales last year of £990.8m and underlying profits of £93.3m the Group distributes its comprehensive portfolio of products and services throughout Europe, North America and Asia Pacific, supported by a global supply chain of over 3,500 suppliers and an inventory profile developed to anticipate and meet its customers' needs.

While global in scope, Premier Farnell recognises the individual needs of each market and has continued to internationalise its model accordingly. It trades locally as Farnell in Europe, Newark/element14 in North America and Mexico and Farnell Newark in Brazil. Across Asia Pacific the business trades as element14.

About Leeds Ahead
Leeds Ahead is an independent social enterprise that brings the public, private and social sectors together to unlock potential. Its board of directors is made up of leaders drawn from the private, public and social sectors, all of whom share a commitment to long-term progress.

Leeds Ahead is supported by Leeds City Council, and sponsored by many of the region's influential businesses and organisations. It delivers a professional and structured service, facilitating access to programmes and initiatives that enable businesses of all sizes to play a hands-on role in society.

Since its formation in 2004, Leeds Ahead has brought more than 500 businesses and organisations together benefitting over 18,000 people, and delivering more than £3m of direct value.

For news updates from Premier Farnell visit:
Premier Farnell News Centre - www.premierfarnell.com/media-centre
Twitter - @element14news
Facebook - /element14page
Or contact:
Email: pressoffice@premierfarnell.com

European Contact:
Aakriti Kaushik
PR Manager, Europe and Global
Premier Farnell and Farnell
Tel: +44 (0) 113 279 0101
Email: akaushik@premierfarnell.com

Press contact
Darren Willsher/Andrea Berghall
EML Wildfire
Tel: +44 (0) 208 408 8000
Email: element14@emlwildfire.com

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