New Community Programme Launches: Invite and Inspire

We opened our doors to Year 5 pupils from local primary schools on Saturday 20 January, as part of a new academic enrichment programme, Invite and Inspire. The programme, which was attended by 42 children from 15 different primary schools, has been developed to enable young people to dedicate time and explore subjects they are passionate about, through a series of free half day workshops.

The workshops, which included Experimental Approaches to Drawing, Creating Comic Book Characters, Maths, Music and Young Scientists, have been carefully curated to inspire creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. By engaging with specialist staff and facilities, the children that attended were able to deepen their knowledge and develop practical skills that extend beyond the classroom. The interactive nature of the workshops also supported them to cultivate a sense of inquiry and encouraged them to think independently.

Commenting on the launch of Invite and Inspire, Assistant Head (Partnerships), Emma Bowater, said, “It was wonderful that so many local children were able to join us for our first Invite and Inspire workshops on Saturday. Feedback has been really positive, with 91% of parents saying they are likely to recommend the programme, and many commenting on how enjoyable their children found the experience.”

Emma continues, “The workshops, which were run by College staff and supported by a number of our Sixth Form, were developed to spark intellectual curiosity and build confidence, empowering children to embrace new opportunities. They also contribute to the enhancement of social skills, promoting a supportive community.”

In addition to the Invite and Inspire workshops, a free CPD opportunity for primary teachers of Design and Technology, DT Teach Meet, also ran on Saturday. Run by Head of Design Technology, John Trant, and attended by six local teachers, the session provided an opportunity for primary colleagues to meet and discuss current best practice in Design and Technology teaching.

Further Invite and Inspire workshops for Year 5 and 6 children, and DT Teach Meet sessions will be running on 2 March, 18 May and 22 June 2024.

Further information can be found here.