Teacher’s Innovation Award

A WESTCLIFF teacher has been selected above thousands of others to win a national award for her work inspiring young people.

Melanie Hall, subject leader for computing at Chase High School, received the Silver Award for Digital Innovator of the Year in the Pearson National Teaching Awards.

Through her work, Chase High School is one of just two in the area to achieve Digital Schoolhouse status last summer, giving students a unique link to the games development industry.

Digital Schoolhouse uses play-based learning to engage young people with the computing curriculum.

Pupils at Chase High School can take part in eSports, where they play competitive digital games, try game design, attend extra-curricular clubs. and compete in national competitions.

As a result of the award, Mrs Hall – who also provides free creative computing workshops to local Year 5 primary school pupils – will attend a televised gala ceremony in London in November.

Headteacher Jamie Foster said: “Melanie is an inspiration to her team, our students and the wider community.

“She is passionate about providing an exciting, fun and unique computing curriculum for young people. Because of her work, we have seen a significant increase in our cohort at post-16, as well as an oversubscribed eSports club. Lessons are more active and more girls are demonstrating an interest in computing than ever before.

“Melanie is a selfless, hardworking asset to the school and our community. As a female role model leading innovation, she is a true inspiration.”

Picture: Silver award – Melanie Hall with pupils.

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