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Are you a jackal or a giraffe? That was one of the questions put to a group of students at a study day at Wellington College this week.
Referring to the ways in which we communicate with each other, the question prompted a lively debate for the 24 state school students who had travelled to the college to take part in their first study day as part of the Wheeler Programme.
Drawn from 14 different schools, including three in South Wales, the Year 10 students also took part in lessons in maths and politics, and enjoyed a hockey skills session.
Student Wiktor said: “I enjoyed the maths challenge and working together as a team.
“It was also good to spend time with people I met on the residential last summer.”
Fellow Wheeler student Adam enjoyed the hockey session and the wellbeing session about how to talk and listen.
He said: “It was very interesting hearing about how to be a good listener and I think I can take that back with me.”
Established in 2017, the Wheeler Programme is a fully-funded educational programme for around 100 selected state school pupils.
Twenty-four students are selected in Year 9 and the college helps support them until their graduation from the programme at the end of Year 13.
“It was very interesting hearing about how to be a good listener and I think I can take that back with me.” – Wheeler student
They start the programme with a five-day residential course at Wellington, where they experience life in a boarding school, and then take part in three or four study days a year, tailored to their age.
Head of the Wheeler Programme Sue Parker said: “It was lovely to see our Year 10 Wheeler students enjoying their first study day at Wellington and rekindling the friendships they made in the summer when they came for their residential course.
“They will be with us for the next four years and we look forward to seeing them realising their potential, pursuing their passions and developing confidence in themselves as they go through the programme.”
Paul Jennings, Head of Educational Developments and Partnerships, added: “My sincere thanks to my colleagues Nas, Paul, Robert and Ian who facilitated these sessions.
“The event has helped the students enhance their thirst for learning at the beginning of year 10, as they think about their GCSE choices and what lies ahead for them.”
Partner state schools include St Crispin’s and The Holt Schools in Wokingham, Farnborough Sixth Form and Bulmershe in Reading.
The programme includes a mixture of group activities, visits to workplaces, universities, organisations and people; talks, lectures, workshops and discussions; individual coaching, and tailored mentoring.
