FROM cutting edge science to the bringing history to life, there was something for everyone at a school ope

THE sights and sounds of the First World War trenches, spectacular science demonstrations and sporting displays featured at Worcester’s Bishop Perowne CE College as it opened its doors to potential students.

Hundreds of prospective pupils and their parents visited the Merriman’s Hill Road school to see classes at work, and quiz teachers and students.

There was bread making in the food technology room and a tour through time in the history department with Year 7’s look at life in Medieval times and even a First World War soldier in the trenches.

The performing arts studio offered rehearsals of King Lear - which is to be performed at the Shakespeare Schools Festival at the Courtyard, Hereford next month - and Grease, the musical.

The science department had fingerprinting, magic milk, a chance to gather leaf litter and look for bugs, methane bubbles and Alka-Seltzer rockets, exploding tins and collapsing cans. In RE there was chance to create a sand mandala or a magic eye picture.

In design and technology a laser cutter and 3D printer were at work, GCSE pieces made on the forge, wood shop and textiles were on display and students were working on developments for their final projects – the department equipping youngsters with up-to-the-minute technologies ready for a career in the modern world.

There were displays and demonstrations in the arts department, geography, mathematics and modern foreign languages sections, as well as students showing their skills on drums, guitars and other musical instruments.

Headteacher Julie Farr talked about her vision for the school - teamwork, harmony, cohesion, with confident young people, students aspiring to have the best academic results possible, but also students aspiring to be creative particularly in the arts and the sciences.

Mr David Kling, the senior deputy headteacher, talked about the recently introduced Show My Homework website where parents can see all homework that has been set for their son or daughter. This, he said, would "hugely accelerate" communication between teachers, students and parents.

Various students from different years talked about different aspects of college life from lessons, sports and school trips to charity events, visits to Yamazaki Mazak - one of the school's three partners - and after-school clubs.