The Buddy Day Scheme begins with a morning workshop at St Clements, which launches the pupils into the world of Higher Education. Pupils write magazine articles as agony aunts or uncles to offer advice about different aspects of university life. They go on to compete in an Imperial College Blockbusters Special and then take part in a science workshop led by Imperial Phd student Nic Harrigan.
Meeting and befriending university students is an integral part of the second session when the students spend a full day at the South Kensington campus of Imperial College. After completing their Fresher’s Week diaries pupils embark on a grand tour of the campus, escorted by their very own Imperial student Buddies. Students are also on hand in the afternoon to guide the pupils through science experimentation which explores, amongst other feats of engineering, rocket physics and hovercraft construction. The day concludes with presentations from the pupils who then receive certificates to mark their achievements.
Two local secondary schools have now successfully completed the new Buddy Day Scheme and both have thoroughly enjoyed their involvement. School staff described the opportunity as "an enriching experience" and one Y8 pupil remarked "I think all of it was great and I learnt and saw some amazing things."
It is thanks to the invaluable Buddy volunteers from Imperial College that the Buddy Day Scheme runs so successfully. One pupil described his Buddy as “radical” and it is through such individual attention that the pupils can be inspired to properly consider themselves and their future.
Anyone interested in finding out more information about the Buddy Day Scheme should contact Spencer Buksh