Key Stage 2 Into University workshops

This year we have been extremely busy, working hard with Into University. 138 of our students, here at Mansel Park Primary, were lucky enough to take part in the Primary Focus programme. From this, a number of our students were inspired to join after school clubs and holiday workshops with Into University.

This is a fantastic opportunity for our children to access these extracurricular programmes, as 66% of students that work with Into University progress to university in their future.

Year 6

This year, in year 6, we have been involved heavily with Into University.

In Autumn, we completed our focus days based around our science topic of evolution. The children took part in many different activities and learnt about Charles Darwin.

We completed our visit to the art gallery recently, where the children got to study different pieces of art work. They also had a portrait drawing workshop delivered by a professional artist.

More recently, Into University came to work with the children on their transition to secondary school.

 Year 5

Year 5 had a brilliant time at Into University! We learnt all about democracy and why it is important to have our voices heard. We then took part in a mock election and we all had a chance to cast our vote. We explored the difference between wants and needs. Distinguishing between things like McDonalds being a want and not a need. After a long discussion, we thought the need for a safe place to live was very important. Tying in with our Geography topic, we learnt more about fair trade. We learnt that it isn’t really fair and we still need to do more to ensure farm workers get a fair deal! 

Year 4

Year 4 had a brilliant workshop completing a taster of different activities. In particular, we became musicians of the world, using natural objects to make music. We were foley artists with an end goal to turn this art form into forest themed sounds.

Later, we became scientists! We looked at chemicals and dipped a special paper in the colourful solutions to test whether the paper was safe.

We were also historians too! We looked a variety of different ancient artefacts and focused on different time eras. We had to categorise what an artefact was, how it was used and what time era it came from. We were shocked by the utensils used instead of a hoover!

Feedback:

We have not only had fantastic outcomes but we have had fabulous feedback from the students too.

• “After attending this programme I have learnt that I want to go to university in the future.”

  – Year 6 pupil on Focus Week.

• “The best things about this programme were the campus tour and learning about evolution. I improved my leadership skills and work better in a team now.”

  – Year 6 pupil on Focus Week.

• “The best things about this programmed are working in a team because it made everyone work harder and getting a PAZ band told me I’m a great person. I have improved my knowledge of citizenship.”

  – Year 5 pupil on Focus Day.

80% of our students loved the programme, 60% of which shared that they were more likely to go to university in the future. 81% of the children reported that they had an increase in knowledge about university. We are overjoyed with the feedback and are excited to work with Into University again next academic year.