CHILDREN from across the town had a taste of secondary school life when they visited Highworth Warneford School this week.

More than 100 Year 6 pupils from 24 different feeder schools enjoyed a variety of activities designed to showcase what the school can offer the new students over the two-day transition programme.

The event, known as the EXTEND project, took place on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Deb Tremblin, LRC Manager and project co-ordinator for the transition programme, said that the programme gave students the opportunity to learn more about their new school before they started.

She said: “It’s good for the Year 6s because they get to know people and their teachers before they move up to secondary school.

“Parents love it too because many of them say without it they could have a very anxious 11-year-old at home all summer.”

Youngsters who signed up for the programme were advised to choose to take part in at least four activities and to attend for both days.

As well as having the opportunity to make new friends ahead of the new year in September, they enjoyed taking part in a game making session in the ICT department, photoshopping their holiday snaps, making bejewelled biscuits in the food technology classroom, and racing their paper aeroplanes in the gym in a Fibonaci takes flight class.

They could also take part in a puppet pandemonium class in the art department, create a krazy kaleidoscope while singing krazy karaoke class, or hunt for lost treasures in the bookaneers session in the library.

There was also African drumming in a Sounds of the Sahara event and a drama workshop themed on Alice In Wonderland.

Deb said: “I think we had the biggest number of students ever come along this year.

“Lots of the students were nervous at first but they really enjoyed it by the end.

“The feedback has been great. One student said that they definitely would do it again, and parents have said that a child who didn’t really want to go now can’t wait to start.”

Ten existing Year 10 students also got involved with the programme, leading their own morning ice-breaker session with their own groups, as well as taking all the photos.

Deb said: “The students had to apply like it was for a job, and many of them want to be primary school teachers so it is good for them.

“It also means that when the Year 6s start school they will know a Year 11 student.”