THE UNIVERSITY of Reading held a series of events working with schools across Berkshire last month as part of its outreach programmes.
On June 18, the university held its Unlocking History for All event, which saw around 100 young people from schools around the borough attend.
Participants took part in sessions examining artefacts and in workshops examining topics such as migration in the early modern world, analysis of primary materials, and women’s rights movements.
There was also a celebration event on June 19 which followed a six-session program of workshops for disadvantaged boys from four schools, in partnership with the Boys’ Impact Coalition.
The sessions examined masculinity and male characters in creative writing and fiction, during which participants wrote their own creative pieces.
These were collated into a printed collection, Taking Boys Seriously: Our Voice, which was presented to those who took part at Henley Business School.
The university also held the Reading Scholars Program Graduation which celebrated 150 year 10 students as they look ahead to university life.
Students designed poster projects which were marked and graded with feedback.
The event gave students a chance to get a taste of university life, such as how to reference and avoid plagiarism in their work.
Kate Thompson, Careers and Employability Skills Co-ordinator at Reading Girls School, said: “The sessions were interactive and engaging, and the graduation ceremony gave a taste of the real thing. It was great for the students to see the London Road campus.”
Kizzi Keast, Outreach and Access Manager at the University of Reading, said: “These events highlight the University of Reading’s dedication to equality of opportunity in access to higher education.
“By providing hands-on experiences, skill-building support, and exposure to university life, these initiatives nurture academic potential in young people, raise their confidence and demonstrate the accessibility and value of higher education to a wide range of students, regardless of their background.”
