A special event to encourage pupils to aim for the stars will be held at Dorcan Academy tomorrow (16 July).
Swindon Borough Council’s drive to help children to develop an appetite for success will see Year 5 pupils take part in a range of educational activities as part of Aspirations Day.
Through fun and interactive games – such as a session in which a group of volunteers wearing various shades of work attire ask the children to guess their jobs – the pupils will be given an insight into the world beyond their school and advice about Higher Education.
The Dorcan Academy children will also get the chance to be enthused about life at top universities such as Oxford and Cambridge while exploring aspirations with the National Literacy Trust.
The Swindon Challenge Board, which brings together all key stakeholders in education with the aim of improving educational outcomes for pupils, wants to increase the proportion of young people in Swindon accessing Higher Education by 25 per cent.
Councillor Russell Holland, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Commercialisation, Education and Skills, said: “I am extremely pleased to be able to bring this programme to Dorcan Academy’s Year 5 pupils and I am sure they will find it invaluable as they progress to Higher Education.
“Raising aspirations among young people is one of this Council’s key priorities and with the work we are doing with our partners we are confident of achieving real successes in the near future.”
With motivational speakers attending school assemblies and greater emphasis placed on revision skills sessions and one-to-one mentoring, the Council’s Routes to Employment team is using a range of initiatives to help inspire young people to go into higher education.
Using the Study Higher programme, more than 3,000 students in schools and colleges in Swindon have been inspired by motivational speakers.
