This week, our Lower Sixth students resumed their Outreach work with local Primary Schools. A total of 62 Lower Sixth students currently volunteer to support pupils in Years 1-6 at three local schools.

On Wednesday 24th January, the students attended Shackleton Primary School in the afternoon, where they assisted Year 5 pupils with their speech and drama work.

Mrs Hudson-Findley (Director of Digital Learning, Enterprise, and Sustainability) who attended the session, reflected: “The students provided a drama and poetry workshop for Year 5 and 6 students at Shackleton Primary School. They worked through a range of texts and physical activities, focusing on voice and body exercises. There was plenty of energy and laughter in the room. The Shackleton students were energised and thanked our Sixth Formers for their help.”

Shackleton Primary School specifically selected students for this program, believing that they would particularly benefit from learning with female role models. This program will give our students the opportunity to practise key skills, such as reflection, leadership and communication, while also positively impacting the students.

Lily Robertson (Lower Sixth) commented: “I really enjoy going to Shackleton to work on speech and drama with the Year 5 and 6 pupils. They are all super hardworking and great fun to work with. We are very excited to show off their hard work at the Bedford Festival this year.”

The Outreach initiative will include other schools such as Kings Oak Primary School, where our Sixth Formers will support Year 1 and 2 pupils this term and at Marston Vale Primary School, where they will assist Year 6 pupils with SATS exam preparation, particularly in reading and comprehension.