Hundreds of Whitehaven primary school pupils take part in STEAM event

The Primary Business Partnership (PBP) organised the successful STEAM event, working in collaboration with the Whitehaven Primary school cluster and local businesses.

It was held over two days at the Whitehaven Academy, offering primary school pupils in Whitehaven the opportunity to engage in hands on experiences in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) activities.

St Bridget's C of E Primary School, Parton (Image: Submitted)

Pupils participated in a series of interactive workshops led by role models from businesses including Balfour Beatty, Severfield, Sellafield Ltd, Moorforge Viking Settlement, KAEFER and Emma Hunt Art.

The workshops helped students build essential skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving and helped to ignite aspirations, challenge stereotypes and to open young minds to future career possibilities in STEAM from a young age.

Josh Varty, a class teacher from Hensingham Primary School, said “It’s a fun and engaging event that allows our children to learn about the opportunities available to them in West Cumbria.”

Deputy Headteacher Charlotte Branney from Valley Primary added: “It's important for us as a school to provide our children with aspirations in the primary phase. This workshop has given our pupils positive experiences of the world of work.”

Elizabeth Atkinson from KAEFER said: “Both days went really well, I think our staff enjoyed the day as much as the children.  It was interesting as some had never done anything like this before and were slightly apprehensive at the start but really enjoyed the sessions and worked well with the pupils.”

Students described the event as ‘super awesome’ and ‘mega fun,’ with one pupil from St. Mary’s Kells saying, “When I grow up, I want to be a footballer or an engineer. Today helped me learn new skills to do this.”

Jericho Primary School (Image: Submitted)

PBP work with schools to remove barriers to engagement with local businesses by leveraging and coordinating the skills of businesses through meaningful and targeted volunteering interventions.

This collaborative approach enables businesses and schools to embed these activities, forge ongoing relationships, and create sustainable networks which help to ensure that all young people are provided with equal access to opportunities to thrive.

Primary schools that attended include: St James C Of E Infant School, Jericho Primary School, Kells Infant School, St Gregory and St Patrick’s Catholic Community School, Lowca Community School, Bransty Primary School, Valley Primary School, St Mary’s Catholic Kells (Whitehaven) Primary School, Hensingham Primary School, Monkwray Junior School, St Bridget’s CofE (Parton) Primary School, and St Begh’s Catholic Junior School.

Local businesses interested in participating in future events or supporting local schools are encouraged to contact Rebecca Day at Rebecca.Day@cforlp.org.uk for more information on how to get involved.