Black Country school broadcasts live open evening

Ormiston Forge Academy in Cradley Heath used the Periscope app to beam footage of the event to prospective students and their parents who were unable to attend the open day last week.

Periscope is a live video streaming app that allows users to transmit live recordings to followers on social media.

Viewers were able to watch science experiments, view paintings and see staff from the food technology department prepare food for the modern foreign language cafe.

The live stream also showcased the geography and history departments and featured a short chat with principal Andrew Burns.

Mr Burns said: "We are getting a reputation for breaking new ground and being able to speak to a global audience about our academy and our British values is something we are very proud of.

"I believe that we are the first school in the country to broadcast an open event live and I have no doubt that many more will follow us."

Director of marketing, Kris Griffin, who hosted the broadcast, said: "Forge has a global reach, we regularly host students from the US and have many enquiries from students in Europe.

"To be able to share our successes and the values of the Forge Family to such a wide audience is very humbling."

The school was set to host its final open event of the year today from 9am-12pm.