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Year 12 Students Visit Hunter Lodge Advertising Agency

 

A group of 12 Year 12 students embarked on an exciting trip to Hunter Lodge Advertising Agency in Rickmansworth. The day was designed to give students a behind-the-scenes look at the world of advertising and brand management, providing them with a hands-on opportunity to develop their own creative solutions for a major brand challenge. Advertising Unlocked is an initiative run by the IPA (Institute of Practising Advertisers) which encourages advertising agencies like Hunterlodge to open their doors to students to learn more about the industry. 

Upon arrival, students were welcomed by the agency’s team and had the chance to hear from different departments about their role in crafting and communicating brand identities. Account management, Content creation, Finance and Creative teams each shared valuable insights into how they collaborate to build campaigns. The discussions allowed students to see the many facets of the advertising industry, from the strategic planning that underpins brand campaigns to the creative execution.

The highlight of the day came after these sessions, when students were given the challenge of competing against two other schools – Rickmansworth School and Royal Masonic School – in a brand revitalisation competition. The task? To create a comprehensive marketing strategy for the struggling TGI Fridays brand, using a budget of £10 million to breathe new life into the iconic restaurant chain.

In a race against the clock, students were given just two hours to develop a seven-minute presentation, outlining their ideas for how to revamp TGI Fridays’ image and attract a fresh audience. The teams dove into brainstorming sessions, strategizing how to use the budget effectively and create a compelling narrative for the brand.

St. Clement Danes School’s team stood out with their bold and innovative approach: rebranding TGI Fridays as the ultimate couples’ destination. Their idea focused on tapping into the growing trend of dating apps and offering a unique, fun experience for couples. They proposed themed nights, couple-focused cocktails, and targeted advertising during dating-related TV shows, creating an experience that would make TGI Fridays the go-to spot for modern couples. 

Although St. Clement Danes delivered a compelling and imaginative presentation, the competition was fierce, and they were narrowly pipped at the post by Rickmansworth School, who took home the trophy. Despite not winning, St. Clement Danes students gained valuable experience and feedback from industry professionals, as well as an opportunity to collaborate with peers from other schools.

 A huge thanks to the team at Hunter Lodge for the superb organisation and the time given up to provide such a fantastic and memorable educational experience.

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30th January

Teachers commended for transforming Design & Technology education

We were delighted to read that our Design and Technology teachers, Miss Yalley and Mr Hadley were featured in the Design and Technology publication.  The article discusses the transformation of the Design & Technology (D&T) department at St. Clement Danes School over the past five years. It discusses how Mr Hadley and Miss Yalley took ownership of the subject, implementing a new subject ethos based on trust, excellence, respect, and safety to foster student responsibility and independence. Key Initiatives & Changes Revamping Projects & Curriculum Introduced more challenging design projects at earlier years (Years 8 & 9). Shifted focus to design skills, problem-solving, and justifying choices over just practical outcomes. Prioritized quality over quantity in student projects. Notable projects: Year 7: Robot concepts Year 8: Articulated lamps Year 9: Branded dispensers & modular speakers Encouraging Inclusion & Diversity Created a girls-only club to boost female participation in GCSE Product Design. Sixth-form girls mentor younger students, building confidence and community. Design Ventura Competition Integrated mock coursework with the Design Ventura competition. Encouraged teamwork and prototyping to improve engagement. Use of AI & Technology Introduced cloud-based tools to make learning more accessible. Leveraged AI for idea development and communication. Professional Development & Industry Links Participating in the Teachers in Residence program to gain industry insights. Adopted industry models like the Double Diamond Design Process and Scrum-based project sprints to enhance student learning. Established workshops with industry professionals to inspire students, especially girls, to pursue design careers. Key Takeaways for Educators Adapt curriculum to student needs and school culture. Pilot new initiatives as clubs first to gauge student interest. Encourage student feedback to refine teaching methods. Be open to change and continuously evolve teaching strategies. The article ultimately encourages educators to embrace creativity, experimentation, and student collaboration in D&T education. We are very proud of our teachers for their continued hard work and dedication for each of their subject areas. Congratulations to Mr Hadley and Miss Yalley for their inspiring article and the incredible work they’ve done to transform Design & Technology at St. Clement Danes! Their dedication to fostering creativity, inclusion, and industry connections is truly commendable, and their impact on students will undoubtedly be long-lasting.