Children from 16 schools across Hillingdon came to Uxbridge College for two days of taster workshops, including forensic science, as part of Aspire 2011.Primary school children from all over Hillingdon gathered at Uxbridge College to get a taste of the future by trying out subjects including forensic science, sport and architecture.Around 170 children from 16 schools took part in the
Children from 16 schools across Hillingdon came to Uxbridge College for two days of taster workshops, including forensic science, as part of Aspire 2011.Primary school children from all over Hillingdon gathered at Uxbridge College to get a taste of the future by trying out subjects including forensic science, sport and architecture.
Around 170 children from 16 schools took part in the annual scheme, called Aspire, designed to introduce them at a young age to the idea of staying on in education. Volunteers from Uxbridge College, Brunel University, University of West London (formerly Thames Valley) and Westminster University looked after the children and helped lead workshops.
Each of the 10 and 11-year-olds on the two-day programme joined in sessions on eight subjects. Children in the music workshop run by the poet and rapper Breis created their own lyrics, and those learning about architecture from Westminster University volunteers made load-bearing bridges out of paper. Football workshops were run by QPR in the Community, and helpers from the University of West London taught resuscitation techniques as part of health education.
Gavin Hughes, Director of Student Services at Uxbridge College, said: “Aspire is a lot of fun for everybody involved, the adults as well as the children! But it also has a serious point in that it gives younger children a chance to find out what’s on offer in the future. And discovering some of the huge range of vocational and academic subjects available after school - and finding out how enjoyable they can be – provides real encouragement to stay on in further and higher education.”
Aspire is funded by Aimhigher and Hillingdon Improvement Partnership (HIP). Aimhigher is a Government-led project to encourage people to join Higher Education courses such as HNDs and degrees, and HIP aims to raise levels of educational achievement in the borough.