| First Campus Residential 2010 |
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Year nine pupils from schools around South Wales spent three days with First Campus at the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, experiencing student life. The pupils had a variety of subjects to choose to study from which are all actual degree subjects offered in universities across South East Wales and included fitness testing, forensic science, dance, hospitality & catering and music composition. This year’s programme saw courses delivered in Cardiff University, University of Glamorgan, University of Wales Newport and UWIC, giving many pupils the opportunity to visit multiple institutions.  The experience was made as interactive as possible, with hospitality & catering pupils able to sample their own cuisine with a three course lunch and music composition pupils being given a CD containing the music they had composed. And it was not all work and no play; in the evenings discos and quizzes were organised to remind pupils that a large part of student life is the social aspect. Chris Webb, First Campus Officer at UWIC said “This Residential programme has been running for the last seven years and we want participating pupils to develop knowledge of HE and what is available to them. We also want them to gain confidence in their abilities; lots of young people don’t feel they are capable of achieving in HE.” The experience is set up as a degree would be, with day one being the equivalent of Freshers’ Week where pupils are split into groups to mix with youngsters from other schools and enjoy a series of welcome activities. They are then put into their course groups and study for the next two days, before enjoying a graduation ceremony at the end of the stint. Parents and family were invited to the graduation ceremony to celebrate the efforts of the pupils and award them with their certificates. Katherine Maddy, First Campus Manager said: “We must encourage and support our young people to ensure that they achieve everything they can in education, and making our universities open and engaging for everyone is part of this important process. “I want to thank everyone in the First Campus partnership and at UWIC, and also the parents for letting their children take part in this taste of university life.  I commend the young people for fully embracing the programme as well. My message is to aim high and go for it - you can achieve anything.” |
