Windwhistle Primary School Year 6 "Graduation Day" at University

 

Primary school visit

“I thought University was strict, now I know it isn’t. I now know I want to be a scientist.” (Year 6 student talking about impact on awareness and aspiration.)

Background

This was one of many primary school visits organised by the Aimhigher team at UWE. It linked in well with the university trip the students had attended just after the Christmas holidays. After the university trip the students had constructed a wall display which served as a constant reminder of their higher education experiences.

The activity

The activity was run by the student ambassadors who had helped with the university visit. The class teachers took a supervisory role. The students responded positively to the familiar faces and existing relationships were built upon.

The first activity was to build a mortar board which the students would wear during the graduation ceremony. This provided a chance for interaction between the student ambassadors and the students. The student ambassadors were confident at keeping the students engaged and answering any questions that they or their parents asked. It was clear that they enjoyed their roles and had benefited from training; both of these factors helped make the activity a success.

 

After building their mortar boards the students made a dream bubble containing pictures of course they would like to study at university. The message here was simple – what ever you enjoy doing there is a course for you at university. Interestingly, even though this was a UWE run activity, the prospectuses were from lots of different universities which helped to give the students a true flavour of the variety out there.

The climax of the afternoon was the graduation ceremony. The students listened attentively as the Aimhigher co-ordinator explained that graduation is an important day that happens when students have passed their degrees.

 

To make it relevant to the students they were told that they were currently on the learning journey which would, if they chose to, culminate in graduation. The students dressed up in graduation gowns and hats and were individually presented with a certificate in front of their parents and teachers. Parents also had a chance to graduate.

After being presented with their certificates the students lined up and threw their hats into the air while a photographer from a local paper took their photograph.

Views

Parent’s view of the UWE activity

• My daughter talked about the UWE event for days afterwards.

What students could remember about the UWE activity:

• I enjoyed drawing a ‘Blue Bellied Sand Eagle’.

• I thought it was like a big school but now I know that it is different because everyone can choose what they study.

• Canteen served a good selection of food.

• Library is open 24 hours a day.

• Accommodation is awesome.

Student’s reasons for wanting to go to university

• I want to get a really good job.

• I don’t know if I want to go.

• You can lie in a bath of baked beans

Impact

Some of the students are starting to associate going to university with getting a good job but most are interested in other more ‘fun’ associations. What is clear is that students are starting to build a concept of what University is based upon the positive experiences they’ve had at university and in their school. They are being encouraged to go to university, they are being educated that it is for them.

 

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