Geddington University

has now been up and running for a full school year and as we now steam full ahead towards the summer holidays, it seemed appropriate to update you all on what an exciting journey it has been.

The University opened its doors in September 2015, after a grant was awarded to Geddington CE Primary School as part of Northamptonshire’s County Council’s Race to the Top project. The idea was to set up an after-school club with a difference. We planned to extend the school day from 3.15 – 5pm and offer the children a chance to participate in exciting extra-curricular activities, that would inspire and raise our pupils’ aspirations for the future.

One of our biggest successes this year has been our partnership with Kettering Buccleuch  Academy. Once a week, pupils have travelled across to KBA and had the opportunity to participate in Science lessons with dramatic chemical reactions and a very exciting heart dissection. The inspiring literacy lessons, where different forms of poetry were explored and, more recently, the art lessons in which the pupils created a mosaic warrior, with inspiration from around the village, have all been highlights of our time there. We wish to pass on our thanks to KBA and to all the staff and pupils who have dedicated their time to this project and allowed the pupils at Geddington Primary School to use the facilities at the Academy.

We have also been very fortunate to have the support of our local community and have been able to offer sessions led by Northamptonshire Fire Brigade, where the pupils learn about water safety and safety in the home: a surprise visit from Brigade members with a fire engine was very exciting. The Police have also visited and ran lessons designed to give pupils a greater understanding of different ideas of policing.  They also gave the pupils the opportunity to solve an imaginary crime that ‘happened’ at school. Father Rob, from St Mary Magdalene Church in Geddington, has been fantastic and has now run two separate choir groups and the pupils were able to show off their new team choir skills at the Easter service in church.

Sport has been a very important part of our Geddington University journey and we have been pleased to offer a different type of sporting activity each evening. Netball has been a firm favourite and we are now offering this once a week and have even managed to participate in some matches against local schools. Northampton Saints have run multi-skills activities and games, and the pupils thoroughly enjoyed playing rugby amongst their peers.

As well as the exciting after-school activities, we have also had the opportunity to take the pupils on weekend day trips. Our first outing was to the NEC Birmingham, to the Big Bang Show. It was a brilliant day where we were able to participate in the largest celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths for young people in the UK. Our most recent outing was to Rock UK. We had an amazing day doing orienteering, open canoeing and High Ropes. Our Head Teacher, Mr Adamson, thoroughly enjoyed the canoeing and even managed to have a paddle in the water!

As you can see, we have had a very busy year and it couldn’t have been done without the support from the local community and businesses who have offered their time and support to the University.
If you feel that you have a skill or a business or even a hobby, that would inspire young people, then please, do get in touch with mrs.smithyman@geddingtonschool.co.uk.