West Cumbrian primary schools pupils visited Oxford University as part of a React Foundation educational programme.
The visit to the famous university city gave pupils the opportunity to hear from two former Frizington students who are now studying engineering at the institution with the help of React Foundation bursaries.
The foundation began running its Schools of the Future programme in 2022, in which children in years five and six develop ideas for how their school may look in 50 years’ time, supported by volunteer staff from React Engineering, in Cleator.
In the final week of the 12-week programme, which began in January, over 30 youngsters from Montreal and St Patrick’s primary schools, in Cleator Moor, St Joseph’s, in Frizington, and Frizington School, travelled to Oxford for two days to present their ideas to students, alumni and academics.
Eight staff from React Engineering worked with the students, while the foundation also provided an introduction to robotics and coding, as well as some Lego kits and iPads.
Ideas the children developed included a dancing robot teacher, a robotic arm that could move through time and a football pitch that combined sport with maths equations.
Their time in the city included a visit to the Pitt Rivers and Oxford University Natural History museums, as well as the chance to experience an academic lecture and take a tour of Jesus College.
They also heard from twins Toby and Alex Cooper, who are studying chemistry and maths respectively at Oxford, and who received post-16 and university bursaries from the React Foundation.
The twins, from Frizington, used the university bursary to buy laptops to help with their studies.
Both showed an early aptitude for maths at primary school, with Toby choosing to focus on chemistry when they moved to Cockermouth School.
They said the key message they wanted to get across to the primary school students was the importance of finding a subject they were truly passionate about.
“There are definitely challenges, but it is possible if you just put your mind to it,” said Toby, who is part way through his first year at Queen’s College.
“The foundation taking children down and showing them the possibilities is really helpful because there are lots of people in West Cumbria who don’t even think about university.
“One of the main messages is to not write off any subject, try with everything, even if at first you don’t enjoy it. Going into university, and especially Oxbridge, is a lot about being passionate about the subject and being able to develop that passion.”
“I think the key message is to keep your mind open and always seek out new opportunities,” added Alex, who is studying at Somerville College.
“It’s really important to use those years when you go to secondary school to try out everything because you don’t know what you can do until you try.”
Schools of the Future is just one programme run by the React Foundation, which was set up in 2004 to mark the 10th anniversary of the company.
The foundation awards bursaries to West Cumbrian university and post-16 students who are studying STEM subjects, while also inspiring younger pupils through its annual science shows offered to all West Cumbrian schools in September.
It also organises the Reactioneers initiative, which runs activities at schools throughout the year.
“We are so proud the Schools of the Future programme has entered its fifth year and become such an important part of the local educational calendar,” said Lauren Rowlands, future pipeline and foundation lead for React Engineering.
“The imagination and creativity of the students never fails to impress us and it is incredible to see them grow in confidence, enjoy new experiences and demonstrate just how much talent and potential we have here in West Cumbria.”
Mark Pattison, headteacher of Montreal Primary School, said: “The chance to work together has helped them to develop communication skills by sharing ideas clearly and collaborating with others. It has also strengthened their problem-solving abilities using practical solutions.
“This trip has inspired the children to believe that they can do anything that they put their mind to. We would like to thank everybody involved in this wonderful programme.”
This year’s Schools of the Future programme was supported by the foundation, Oxford University and Dobie’s Charitable Trust.
