• Slideshow - The core values of Downend School are simple; they are focused on a sense of belonging, a belief that all students have it within themselves to be effective learners and that we can extend this learning beyond the reach of school and into the future
  • Slideshow - The core values of Downend School are simple; they are focused on a sense of belonging, a belief that all students have it within themselves to be effective learners and that we can extend this learning beyond the reach of school and into the future
  • Slideshow - The core values of Downend School are simple; they are focused on a sense of belonging, a belief that all students have it within themselves to be effective learners and that we can extend this learning beyond the reach of school and into the future
  • Slideshow - The core values of Downend School are simple; they are focused on a sense of belonging, a belief that all students have it within themselves to be effective learners and that we can extend this learning beyond the reach of school and into the future
  • Slideshow - The core values of Downend School are simple; they are focused on a sense of belonging, a belief that all students have it within themselves to be effective learners and that we can extend this learning beyond the reach of school and into the future
  • Slideshow - The core values of Downend School are simple; they are focused on a sense of belonging, a belief that all students have it within themselves to be effective learners and that we can extend this learning beyond the reach of school and into the future
  • Slideshow - The core values of Downend School are simple; they are focused on a sense of belonging, a belief that all students have it within themselves to be effective learners and that we can extend this learning beyond the reach of school and into the future
  • Slideshow - The core values of Downend School are simple; they are focused on a sense of belonging, a belief that all students have it within themselves to be effective learners and that we can extend this learning beyond the reach of school and into the future
  • Slideshow - The core values of Downend School are simple; they are focused on a sense of belonging, a belief that all students have it within themselves to be effective learners and that we can extend this learning beyond the reach of school and into the future
  • Slideshow - The core values of Downend School are simple; they are focused on a sense of belonging, a belief that all students have it within themselves to be effective learners and that we can extend this learning beyond the reach of school and into the future

Community Courses

Family History III

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family history

This is our third Family History course.  The course is suitable for those who have already followed the previous courses and those wishing to begin their Family History research.  As with previous courses we have an experienced tutor in Steve Ralph and the School’s excellent ICT facilities. 

These sessions are designed for anyone wanting to investigate their family history. This course will run over ten fortnightly sessions and provide a friendly atmosphere of instruction and support to enable everyone to get the most out of their research. The session format will include presentations, demonstrations and time for personal research.  Approximately a third of the time during each session will include a presentation or demonstration on different aspects of resources and tools available for family history research.  Two thirds of each session is set aside for researching your own family history.  During this time individual support and help will be available to answer any questions as they arise.

 

family history

 

Dates Sessions
Tuesday 13th January Using the internet for research
Tuesday 27th January Birth, Marriage and Death Records
Tuesday 10th February Census Records
Tuesday 3rd March Parish Records
Tuesday 17th March Military Records
Tuesday 31st March Family history computer application options
Tuesday 28th April Record Office Resources
Tuesday 12th May National Archives
Tuesday 2nd June Immigration and Emigration records
Tuesday 16th June Sharing your Family History research

Digital Photography III

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This is our third running of our highly popular digital photography for beginners course. It is designed to explore the digital camera by covering all the camera functions and the impact on the image captured. The course is open to anyone from a complete beginner to someone who wishes to learn more about the principles of taking good photographs. As with previous courses we have an experienced tutor in Steve Ralph and a range of up to date photographic equipment for demonstration and class use. The course runs over ten fortnightly sessions on Thursday evenings and costs £60 per person. The sessions are run at Downend School from 7pm – 9pm. Refreshments and all course materials are included in the cost. There is ample car parking at the front of the School. If you are interested please email stv@downend.com or ring School Reception 01454862300 leaving your contact details.

Dates Sessions
Thursday 12th February Choosing the right camera
Thursday 5th March Taking photographs
Thursday 19th March Camera care and accessories
Thursday 2nd April Exploring camera settings
Thursday 30th April Composing the shot
Thursday 14th May Using light to enhance images
Thursday 4th June Shooting close-ups
Thursday 18th June Shooting portraits
Thursday 2nd July Shooting from different angles
Thursday 16th July Transferring and protecting images

NEW FOR 2009 - DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY ENHANCING

This is a new course set up in response to requests from people who have completed the Digital Photography for Beginners Courses in previous years. We shall be covering the use of Photoshop Elements to correct and enhance digital images. You will learn photo-retouching techniques that will enhance your images and presentation. The course is designed for anyone who wishes to learn how to edit digital photographs using Photoshop Elements although the techniques learnt apply to other photo editing software applications. Photoshop Elements is the cheaper cut down version of the industry standard Photoshop Application. As with previous courses we have an experienced tutor in Steve Ralph and a range of up to date photographic equipment for demonstration and class use. The course runs over ten fortnightly sessions on Tuesday evenings and costs £60 per person. The sessions are run at Downend School from 7pm – 9pm. Refreshments and all course materials are included in the cost. There is ample car parking at the front of the School. If you are interested please email stv@downend.com or ring School Reception 01454862300 leaving your contact details.

 

Dates Sessions
Tuesday 3rd February Investigating contrast
Tuesday 24th February Colour manipulation
Tuesday 10th March Removing unwanted objects
Tuesday 24th March Understanding layers
Tuesday 21st April Portrait enhancing
Tuesday 5th May Combining images
Tuesday 19th May Cropping and resizing to improve composition
Tuesday 9th June Creating motion and selective focussing
Tuesday 23rd June Black and white techniques
Tuesday July 7th Special effects

Downend Animation Club

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Every other Saturday morning in term time we run a class for primary aged children drawn from four of our partner primary schools. The children have fun learning how to use computers to create cartoon characters.  They learn different techniques using ICT.   The club is open to Year 6 children and is very popular.  In the beginning they learn how to draw, arrange shapes and then develop a cartoon character.  They then learn how to use ‘keyframes’ to create animation and e-Christmas cards.  They then develop their skills using ‘motion tween’ and ‘layers’.  Finally using drawing tablets, ‘Flash’ and digital cameras they create stop-motion types of animations in a ‘looney-tune’ effect.  We have enthusiastic feedback from parents and the children.

DAC

Digital Genaeology

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This course runs every other Saturday morning during term time and is for adults wanting to learn how to research their families through the Internet. It combines with digital photography. This group has linked in with Family History Groups in South Gloucestershire and has been running for six years. Recently they visited the National Archives at Kew along with members of the Tuesday evening group.

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