Wardle High School Students given a taste of the University of Manchester

Wardle High School Students given a taste of the University of Manchester

Tuesday 23 April saw twelve Year 7 pupils head to the University of Manchester to have their first taste of the Manchester Gateways Programme. The programme involves pupils visiting the school once a year to find out more about university and the subjects offered, as well as allowing them to develop a range of skills that will help them succeed at GCSE and beyond.

Each year, pupils who have been identified as meeting the required criteria, spend a full day at The University of Manchester and progress through the programme. The programme allows pupils to widen their horizons with regards to Higher Education and develop their skills in areas such as team working, self-management and creative thinking. The Gateways Programme works with an identified group of schools in Greater Manchester. The pupils are introduced to ‘real students’ on visit days to build up a true vision of what university, student life and students are like. The days also provide the pupils with information and advice to enable them to make informed decisions about GCSE and post-16 choices.

Tuesday saw Year 7 pupils get involved in several activities such as learning basic sign language and team building activities with hula hoops. Other activities were subject related including a geography game on population and marketing activity where the pupils had to taste chocolate. The pupils were also treated to a tour around the University campus and they were given a talk by the University Librarian.

The day was led by the School Liason Officer and eight student ambassadors from the University of Manchester called Purple People. They were students from very different backgrounds and they were studying a variety of courses which made them a good selection of students for Wardle High School pupils to talk to.

The students were accompanied by Mrs Lex Davies-Kenny and Mrs Sue Stevenson. Mrs Davies-Kenny, Wardle High School’s Careers Learning Mentor commented: "It was really enjoyable and the students were superb. They joined in everything and were really confident answering questions and talking to the university students."

Wardle High School is a successful 11-16 school with a strong tradition at GCSE with outstanding pastoral care and guidance. The careers department take great care and effort to encourage pupils to take part in activities to push their future careers and develop skills ready to join the work force.