Primary School Workshops
Over 200 Year 5 pupils from seven local state primary schools visited KES in July to participate in a week-long range of exciting subject-led workshops. These sessions were designed to introduce pupils to different subjects in a fun, interesting and interactive way, to encourage an interest in the subject. The workshops involve using the school’s excellent facilities on site and are run by members of the teaching team at KES. In addition to the learning experience, visiting pupils and staff were also invited for lunch throughout the week.
The week-long programme of workshops is an annual event going back 10yrs and take place during the penultimate week of the summer term.
Aims
To provide learning and experiential opportunities for Year 5 pupils in an independent secondary school, to share teaching resources and facilities, some of which would be unfamiliar to primary schools eg science laboratories, sports hall and playing fields, dedicated Art rooms, ICT suite and Drama facility.
Background
The week-long series of workshops has been running for over 10 years and was set up by a member of the Senior School teaching team with responsibility for liaison with local primary schools.
The workshops occur during the week when KES pupils and staff are involved in a range of activities, many residential, in the UK and beyond. This provided an opportunity for other key KES staff to use the otherwise unused facilities and spaces, to share their expertise and enthusiasm for their subject with other pupils within the local community.
Resources
Key senior school staff who have a passion to share their skills and experience with local Year 5 children, run the workshops.
The workshops use school facilities, and the KES catering staff support the visits by providing refreshments and lunches.
This year, the following workshops took place:
Minecraft Education Edition – taking place in our new Creative Media Suite.
Urban Landscapes Art Workshop.
Teamwork makes the Dreamwork PE session.
Drama workshops in our specialist Drama Studio.
Design Technology workshop to make key fobs.
‘Every Breath You Take’ Chemistry session looking at different gases, with experiments conducted in our science labs.
Storytelling session with the English department.
Exploring the continent of Africa with the Geography department.
‘Body percussion workout’ with the Music department.
‘Boom, Shakashaka The Room’ session with the Maths department.
Community Cricket Day – led by our Games department and Bath Cricket Club and held at the KES playing fields.
Impact
KES often receives thank you cards or posters from the pupils, they also take home any items or products made on site e.g. key rings in DT, art work, certificates awarded in sports. The fun of making, the joy of participating, and the smiles on faces when the thanks are given at the end of the workshops, are priceless.
Pupil Involvement
KES school staff lead the workshops with occasional support and help from pupils. These pupils are typically aged 13-15yrs.
Frequency
Annual programme of workshops which continues to grow year on year.
