Pupils Enjoy Taste of University Life
More than 200 pupils from two Maidstone schools have been enjoying a taste of university life.
Year 9 students from Oldborough School and Senacre School have been visiting the University of Greenwich at Medway campus, at Chatham Maritime.
They took part in a range of activities, which included designing and constructing a device to stop a dropped egg from breaking when dropped from height, testing their team building skills. They were given a tour of the campus and all the student facilities before attending their own “graduation” ceremony.
What’s Behind the Walls days for secondary school pupils are organised by Will Calver, Access & Education Liaison Coordinator, of Leap – the university’s organisation dedicated to widening participation in higher education.
“It is great fun but with a serious aim,” said Mr Calver. “We are encouraging young people to think about their own skills and the careers they may be interested in when they leave school. And we are raising awareness of what a university is like and the range of courses and training opportunities available.”
Every year the University of Greenwich works with more than 1,500 school children from primary school through to university entry. Working in collaboration with Aimhigher Kent & Medway with funding from the Higher Education Council For England (HEFCE), local authorities and the Learning & Skills council, the university has a dedicated widening participation team.
Historically, the university has served areas where participation in higher education has been low with often just one in ten school leavers going on to university.
“We are demystifying university and raising aspirations,” said Mr Calver. “By working closely with schools at all levels, we are encouraging more young people to consider a university course as the gateway to a good career.”
Ends
Caption: Pupils from Senacre School enjoy a taste of student life at the University of Greenwich at Medway
For further media information, broadcast, photographic and interview opportunities, please contact:
- University of Greenwich at Medway Public Relations, tel: 020 8331 9420
- Delphine Houlton, Andrew Metcalf or Jez Durrant, at Maxim, tel: 01892 513033