Raising aspirations for an inspiring future

Navigating their way across the University’s campus and learning about brand logos was all in an afternoon’s work for a group of Darlington schoolchildren.

The pupils, from Corporation Road Primary School and Heathfield Primary School, in Darlington, took part in an orienteering exercise, learned about branding and logos and designed their own T-shirts during a visit to the University.

Heathfield Primary School pupil Lewis Stockdale, nine, who took part in the orienteering task, said: ‘I’m really good at map reading. I even read the map when I’m out with my family.’

Gemma Harland, 10, also of Heathfield Primary School, said: ‘I like reading maps, although I don’t always have a good sense of direction. I’ve really enjoyed ticking off different things on the orienteering task list after seeing them on campus.’

The activity was part of a Raising Aspirations project in Darlington. The project aims to help make the children aware of opportunities available to them in their local community and to support them in learning and practicing the skills they will need for life. It was also part of the University’s Meteor programme, which launched in 1999 and aims to inspire primary and secondary school children to think about higher education.

The children were accompanied on their trip by their teachers and students from the Education Village in Darlington, who filmed and photographed the visit.

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