Since January 2016, the University of Strathclyde has been working in partnership with Anderston Primary School to help its pupils gain stamps for their Children’s University passports. The Children's University Scotland aims to attract children and young people aged 7 - 14 years from all backgrounds to use Passports To Learning to engage in voluntary, out of school hours learning activities. When the pupils complete their passports they attend a graduation ceremony at the University of Strathclyde in gowns and mortar boards to receive their award.
Education students from the University of Strathclyde have been working hard to create a variety of clubs which the pupils at Anderston Primary can attend after school one day a week. These clubs provide the pupils with opportunities to explore new academic and social activities whilst earning stamps in their Children's University passports.
The first block of sessions was run by Sumayyah Kausar, a second year Education student from Strathclyde. This block of sessions was based around photography and allowed the pupils access to equipment which they could use to take and develop their own images. Zoe, a pupil at Anderston Primary said, “I am so excited, this is my first time ever taking a picture on a professional camera”. During sessions the pupils were given the chance to use the school's editing software and also the filming and trimming applications on the camera. These sessions went exceptionally well. For many of the pupils this was a new experience and they were very interested in what they could gain from the activities. This was not only a great opportunity for the pupils but also for the students conducting the sessions. Sumayyah said, “I was glad I took on this opportunity as I was able to teach the students the basics of editing, photography and filming. For some of the children these were activities they had never done before. Seeing them progress and become confident and adventurous with the camera was very rewarding”.
The next block of sessions will be commencing in the coming weeks. This block will focus on different styles of dance. This sessions will be run by Megan Cooke and Kirsten Hercus, third year Education students from Strathclyde. The pupils who attend these sessions will be given the opportunity to explore different styles of dance, for example, Highland dancing, hip hop and jazz. By the end of the five sessions the pupils will have produced a performance piece and will have benefited from both a practical and social experience. Overall, the students from the University of Strathclyde aim to provide Anderston Primary pupils with the best experiences possible in areas which may not be accessible to them. The pupils are able to gain new skills in a safe, secure and fun learning environment whilst gaining stamps for their Children's University passports.
Text from Kayleigh Marshall, third year BA Primary Education student who oversees the Anderston Primary Children's University Project.