16-18
Apprenticeships
University Level
Adult Learning
Weymouth and Kingston Maurward College welcomed more than 600 children from local primary schools this week for its three-day Primary College event — an engaging programme of hands-on workshops designed to introduce young learners to the world of further education and careers.
Year 6 pupils took part in a range of fun and practical sessions at the College’s Weymouth campus, giving them an early insight into different subjects and industries — from science and technology to the arts and sport.
The event aims to build confidence and raise aspirations by helping children experience College life and start thinking about the exciting opportunities that lie ahead in their education journey.
Peter Vowles, Student Liaison Officer at Weymouth and Kingston Maurward College, said: “Primary College is all about planting the seed. It gives younger students a really positive first experience of college, and helps them realise that education can lead to all sorts of exciting futures.
“It’s inspiring to see how much they engage with the sessions and how curious they are about what’s possible.”
As part of the event at the Weymouth campus, students took part in a Writing for the Media workshop, reporting on the day’s activities, with some offered the chance to interview Principal and CEO Kate Wills.
Weymouth and Kingston Maurward Principal and CEO Kate Wills (left), with tutor Angharad Hill
Tabitha and Willow, both aged 11, from St Nicholas & St Laurence Primary School wrote:
Kate Wills is the Principal of Weymouth College. She has been working here for a year, and she was previously the Deputy Head of a college in Cornwall. We visited her and asked her a few questions about her job.
Kate Wills began as a nurse in A&E before starting her career as a teacher. She likes her role as a teacher because she can speak directly to students around the college about what they want to achieve.
Kate leads approximately 5,000 students, including children in the nursery. She says that one of the best parts of her job is watching students learn and grow. Her favourite part of the day is lunchtime, as she visits the canteen to chat to students even more.
The average amount of time Kate spends in the college is 12 hours a day. Her favourite subject at the college is Psychology, which means understanding the human brain and seeing why people do what they do. This helps Kate understand the feelings of students and other people.
After a stressful day at work, Kate uses her free time to walk her dog and explore. As she hates flying, when she goes on holiday, she usually stays in the UK.
Bodhi and Tommy from Wyke Regis Primary School, interviewed classmate Lucas about the art workshop he took part in:
Lucas said that he hadn’t wanted to do art because he thought it would be painting, but when he started printing, he found that he really enjoyed it. He said that it was a brilliant way to end the year, and that it was good to meet other people that might be going to the same secondary school.
Lucas liked that he could chill out and be calm by using the roller. He said: “It was so fun that I can’t wait to take part in other activities.”
Hattie and Dillie, also from Wyke Regis, interviewed Lilly and Honey from Bincombe Primary, who has taken part in the hairdressing workshop:
Lilly and Honey were designing a poster for their hair catwalk. They had already styled their mannequin’s hair ready for the catwalk. Lilly did a half-up, half-down style with a bun, whilst Honey did a half-up style with a plait and two side plaits.
They had chosen this particular workshop as they both expressed their dream to be hairdressers in the future. We also asked if they would recommend Primary College, to which they replied, “Yes, because you get to try things that you could want to do later in life.”
Joseph from St John’s Primary School interviewed 10-year-old Ted, from Holy Trinity Primary, when he was in the boxing workshop with Grey Ranks Boxing:
Ted told told us how much he enjoys boxing and how this was a great opportunity to showcase his skills. His favourite workshop was brickwork though, as he particularly liked building an arch and getting mucky!
I asked what he liked about the Boxing workshop and he said: “I love boxing because it is agile and allows me to be myself!” I asked him what he liked about Primary College. His answer was that he liked meeting new people and having new experiences.
Although boxing was not a potential career choice for him, the 3D Animation workshop had inspired him for a future career.
KODAK Digital Still Camera
Annabelle and Isabelle from Holy Trinity interviewed their classmate Ruby in the acting workshop:
We asked her, “What are you most excited about at Primary College and why?” Ruby said she was most excited about the opportunity to learn new things. She had enjoyed was playing “fun games” and “acting out different scenarios on a huge stage”. Ruby said she enjoyed acting because she got to meet new people, see what she likes and enjoy more fun opportunities.