Robert makes a meteoric return

Robert Hodgson first came to the University of Teesside aged 11 and a pupil at Ayresome Primary School. Robert and his classmates were visiting the University as part of the Meteor scheme.

Meteor was officially launched by the University in 2000 following a successful pilot. It aims to inspire local primary children to consider further and higher education through a series of activities on the main campus, and by working in their own schools with University student mentors. The pupils then process to a ‘mini-graduation’ at Middlesbrough Town Hall to celebrate taking part in Meteor.

Seven years on Robert has been invited to return to the University, for a special Meteor celebration of achievement. The celebration, at the Town Hall on Thursday 19 July, will mark seven years since the first official ‘mini-graduations’. Robert will join past and present Meteor pupils and mentors in the procession from the University to the Town Hall at 10am. The procession will include over 415 Year 6 pupils from across the Tees Valley, 16 former Meteor pupils and 14 Mentors.

And Robert aims to return to the University once again this autumn, as a first year student on the BA (Hons) English and Media, marking his transition from Meteor pupil to University undergraduate. He has just sat A levels in Sociology, English Language and Media Studies at Middlesbrough College.

Robert, 18, from Acklam, pictured, will be the first in his family to go to University. He said: “I remember coming to the University for the first time, it was massive, a much greater building than my primary school. It had all this technology for the future and made me think about going to the University when I was older. I also remember going to the disco in the Students’ Union and my first ‘mini-graduation’ at the Town Hall.

“Teesside was my first choice and I think Meteor is a good scheme. It makes it feel that Teesside is your local University, that you are clever enough to go to there, or other Universities.”

The procession will set off from the University at 10am on Thursday 19 July, along Albert Road to the Town Hall. All in the procession will be wearing specially-designed Meteor t-shirts. Each past and present pupil will be presented with a small gift and a certificate at the Town Hall ceremony by the University’s Chancellor, Lord Sawyer of Darlington. For photo opportunities please contact Stephen Laing, Press & Public Relations on 01642 342962, e-mail pr@tees.ac.uk

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