All of the ingredients for a highly-successful fundraising event were in the mix at Fosse Way School’s spectacular ‘Bake Off’ competition, held on 22nd March.

Staff and students alike displayed liberal helpings of talent and creativity in their entries for the competition, the proceeds from which are to be donated to Cancer Research UK. The popular event was organised by the outstanding special school’s residential manager, Jason Towells.

Throughout the week, many members of the school community had been meticulously preparing their entries. Yet it was only on the big day itself that the true scale of Fosse Way’s collective culinary capabilities became apparent, since all were required to do their baking entirely at home.

On the day, a multitude of mouth-watering entries were brought to the school’s staff room, which had been specially decorated for the occasion to resemble the popular television programme with an array bunting, balloons and brightly coloured table cloths.

Early on the morning of the contest, a message was despatched by Mr. Towells urging everybody concerned to resist the gnawing temptation to take a furtive nimble of their delicious creations before morning break.

Come break time, staff and students were at last able to enjoy the wonderfully aromatic cakes and biscuits they had produced. One entrant had even created a tantalising selection of chocolate scotch eggs!

All who took part in the pleasurable consumption of this bounteous feast were asked to make a donation to Cancer Research UK, either in cash or via a Just Giving page set up on the internet by Mr. Towells for the event.

Before break time, the judges had assembled to appraise the abundant baked delights and select the winners. The panel comprised Jason Towells, school administrator, Sharon Hall and manager of Longfellows’, the school’s popular café, Debbie Lockley. After much deliberation, the judges selected three entrants as the winners of this year’s ‘Star Baker’ awards.

The successful entrants were: residential team member, Marilyn Plummer, for her impressive ‘Stand Up to Cancer’ cake, teaching assistant, Lee Morris, for his novel chocolate Guinness cake and Key Stage Four student, Gina Matthews, for her delicious carrot cake.

Commenting on Gina’s success, Debbie Lockley remarked: “She delivered on both appearance and taste.”

Having received news of her success Gina Matthews responded enthusiastically: “I love baking cakes and could do it all day long!”

Aside from the Stand Up to Cancer charity, perhaps the greatest winners were the Bake-Off’s judges, each of whom, in the interests of reaching an informed decision, sampled a portion of every entry to the competition.

A replete Jason Towells commented: ‘All the cakes were delicious and it was a really difficult decision choosing a winner. We hope this event raises a lot of money for Stand Up to Cancer and that everybody at Fosse Way School enjoys eating what so many have made.”

At the end of the school day, Mr. Towells was delighted to announce that thanks to the generosity of the Fosse Way School community the competition had raised a grand total of £222.49 for Cancer Research UK.