Turing Conference Week Opens at Sherborne Prep
Sherborne Prep kicked started Sherborne Schools Group’s inaugural Turing Conference today, throwing open its doors to 300 children from neighbouring schools in an action-packed day of discovery, innovation, problem solving and creative thinking inspired by Alan Turing’s legacy. Sherborne Prep pupils were joined by Year 6 pupils from Hanford Prep, Sherborne Abbey CE Primary, Bradford Abbas CE Primary, Thornford CE Primary, Sherborne Primary and Bishops Caundle CE Primary. The children threw themselves enthusiastically into a day described by one visiting teacher as being “full of awe and wonder”.
Benedict Allen, explorer and writer, set the scene with a talk describing his life as an adventurer, thrilling the pupils with stories of his near-death encounters with vampire bats, crocodiles, thieves and poisonous snakes as he walked 3,600 miles across the Amazon Basin.
"Today was a great celebration of Alan Turing’s spirit. Explaining Turing’s achievements and celebrating him as a role model shows these pupils it is possible to achieve their dreams and that they too can go on to do extraordinary things." Benedict Allen, Explorer and Author
A programme of workshops throughout the day provided pupils with the chance to get hands-on experience of Coding and Cryptography, Robotics and AI, Art and Creative Design, Adventure and Resilience and STEM challenges in the Science Lab. Lucy Robinson of Thales, a leading technology engineering company with offices in nearby Templecombe, got the children’s interest immediately when she opened her session explaining that Thales “...makes cool tech, most of which is totally secret!”. Her session gave the children the opportunity to work with “..entry level kit that shows the children what coding and AI can do – it’s about giving the kids a go, letting them figure out how it works.”
Debbie Rogers, who was accompanying children from Sherborne Primary, said “The workshops are brilliant. We are very happy to have been invited - the sessions have been fantastic. It’s given the kids an opportunity to experience how to solve problems using high level tech which is incredible.”
In the Entrepreneurship and Innovation workshop, led by Sherborne’s Ben Keene, pupils were asked to identify and think creatively to find solutions to world problems, such as heat waves and food waste. Rose, a pupil from Hanford Prep, wanted to boost wellbeing by helping young people spend more time in nature, “More lessons should be held outside, classrooms should have open roofs so children can see the sky. This helps you think bigger, if you are inside all the time, you can’t see the bigger solution.”
Jonathan Roberts, Head of Science at Sherborne Prep, led a STEM workshop. He said, “Science is about looking for patterns and evidence to solve mysteries, so this workshop is a perfect way to honour and celebrate the legendary Old Shirburnian, Alan Turing.”
Milo, a visiting pupil aged 10, said “I’ve really enjoyed learning new things and solving problems. I want to be a scientist now!”
Briony Harris, Senior Deputy Head, at Sherborne Prep summed up the day, “What a wonderful opportunity the Turing Conference has given us, bringing the community together to celebrate the wonder that was Alan Turing. It was fantastic for the children step away from their normal school timetable and immerse themselves in exploring new and innovative ideas and adventures. The children are buzzing!”
The Turing Conference, organised by Sherborne Schools Group and Sherborne town's Turing Project, continues this week with workshops at The Gryphon School and a concert in Sherborne Abbey on Thursday and, finally, a full day's conference and Tech Fest at Sherborne Girls on Friday.