Welshpool student wins National Innovation Award

A young designer from Welshpool has been recognised at one of Wales’ leading education awards, shining a spotlight on the creative talent emerging in the country.

The annual Innovation Awards, hosted by WJEC, celebrate Wales’ brightest young inventors and designers, recognising creativity, problem-solving and technological ambition among learners from across the nation.

Now in their 25th year, the awards are delivered in collaboration with Welsh Government, and encourage young people to develop practical design and technology skills that are increasingly important to Wales’ economy and future workforce.

Henry Farr, a student from Welshpool High School in Welshpool, took home the top place in the GCSE category at the Innovation Awards for his design the ‘Bike Beacon’.

The judges commended Henry for his great understanding of programming and technology in his bike beacon design and claimed that it is an innovative solution that could solve an everyday challenge faced by cyclists.

On his win, Henry said: “I am beyond excited to have received this award. I put a lot of effort into the project, so it’s nice to be getting recognition for my work. I really enjoyed building this project, so it’s cool to win an award from just something I enjoyed doing.

“I would like to thank my teacher and my parents. I would also like to thank the school because especially without the school, I wouldn’t really be able to work on the project as much as I did. They gave me lots of time just to go over my ideas and help me with my ideas.”

The ceremony, held at the Pierhead in Cardiff Bay, showcased the very best in Welsh design and technology talent and brought together learners, teachers and industry partners from across the country.

Lynne Neagle MS, Cabinet Secretary for Education, said: “Congratulations to all those who have been recognised in these awards. Your achievement reflects the outstanding quality of design and technology talent we have here in Wales. This is a sector that inspires creativity, drives innovation, and develops the practical skills that are so vital to our economy and communities.

“Design and technology education gives young people the confidence to solve real-world problems, and the ambition to shape the Wales of the future. I want to thank everyone involved – learners, teachers, industry partners and families – for the commitment and passion you bring to this field.

“These awards are not just a celebration, but a reminder of the vital role this discipline plays in building a prosperous, dynamic and forward-looking nation.”

Ian Morgan, WJEC Chief Executive, said: “The Innovation Awards are one of the most significant events in our calendar, and it is a real privilege to showcase the remarkable talent emerging from schools across Wales. The standard of creativity, problem-solving and technical skill on display this year has been exceptional.

“I want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to everyone who entered, and especially to our winners. The commitment, imagination and effort behind these projects is genuinely inspiring.

“As Wales looks to strengthen its position in an increasingly competitive world, the role of design and technology will only grow in importance. The ideas we have seen in these awards show just how bright the future is, and I am excited to see where these young innovators take their talents next.”

For further information about the competition visit https://www.wjec.co.uk/home/innovation-awards/