Make IT Happy 2012

Rory has for the third year running invited schools in Penrith and the Border to take part in the national “Make IT Happy” competition, a UK-wide technology challenge for primary school students aged 9 to 11. Rory has supported the competition since his election to Parliament, and has seen schools from his constituency take the North-West regional prize for two years in a row, with Shankhill School winning in 2010 and High Hesket School winning in 2011. The competition is run by the Parliamentary Internet Communications and Technology Forum (PICTFOR) and e-skills UK, the Sector Skills Council for Business and Information Technology, and is backed by more than 60 MPs from across the UK.

Rory said: “It’s a real pleasure to support this excellent competition, which recognises and rewards the excellent and inspirational work that primary schools do with IT, and particularly how they use it to make a positive impact on their own and others’ lives. It fits perfectly with my campaign for better broadband in our constituency, and highlights the importance of involving all age groups in the campaign to educate communities about the value of internet access. This year’s Make IT Happy theme of “Make IT Healthy” calls for schools to use IT to improve their own physical, mental or emotional health, or to reach out to help others do the same. I encourage all schools to try and participate, and hope we can produce a winner for a third year running!

£1,200 will be awarded to each of the regional competition finalists, with the overall winning school taking home an additional cash prize of £4,000. Winners will also be invited to attend an awards ceremony to be held at the Houses of Parliament in London in June 2012. The closing date for entries is April 8, 2012.