Local kids aim high at Hopwood's Junior College event

Little Heaton pupils get to grips with a pair of slimy giant African land snails

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Primary school youngsters got a taste of college life today (Wednesday 2 July) and got their hands on some exotic creatures when they spent some time at Hopwood Hall's Middleton campus.

More than 100 Year 6 boys and girls from St John Fisher RC, Little Heaton CE, Boarshaw Community and Peter’s C of E, Rochdale, experienced a ‘day in the life’ of a student at college, taking part in a range of fun learning activities with current college students and tutors from some of the departments.

Giant African land snails, Madagascan hissing cockroaches and African bullfrogs were no match for the plucky pupils who got to grips with the slippery creatures in the animal care room and other sessions were also offered in science and sport.

The college's media team went round the campus with the children, taking the types of pictures you might see in a college prospectus, with photographs taken of students, the college environment and facilities.

Even though it only lasted an hour, the travel and tourism session managed to take the youngsters ‘around the world in 80 days’ and the sixth form tutors devised an exciting treasure trail to keep the children guessing all the way round the campus, with those spotting the most clues winning prizes of stationery and sweets.

Donna Martin, Liaison Manager at Hopwood Hall, who organised the event, said: “It’s always a pleasure to welcome the primary school children and their teachers for the day. At Hopwood Hall we want to inspire local children, encouraging them to aim higher in their studies and picture themselves as successful college students in the future."