The APEX Summer Holiday Opportunity 2010 was a huge success. Nine interesting, fun and challenging workshops ran in parallel for the first four days of the summer holidays. Each of the workshops presented the children and young people with a challenge and opportunities for learning beyond that which their local school and community can offer. Based at Hayesfield Lower School in Bath participants learned to make new friends and quickly develop productive and enjoyable working relationships in unfamiliar surroundings. The children and young people went on trips to broaden their experience and understanding of their area of focus and worked together to research their challenge and prepare to share their experiences with an audience of several hundred parents, teachers, children and local dignitaries at the Presentation Ceremony at the end of the last day. Here is what ran. Follow the links for details and the presentations.
Participants developed many talents, skills and understandings particular to their interest. For instance, some developed their mathematical and technical knowledge to design a garden; others developed their communication and artistic talents by creating a dance and drama performance based on a Shakespeare play. Others extended their knowledge and appreciation of other cultures and their food and learned to create some exotic Asian dishes to eat. Another group learned to become more attuned to the world around them as investigative journalists and found a Bath they had been unaware of.
All workshops included the development of research, ICT and presentation skills and the ability of participants to work co-operatively, to take risks with their learning, to take responsibility for their own learning and that of their group, and much more. In the process many participants learned more about themselves, their learning passions, and possibilities to explore in the future.
34 children and young people who are at risk of marginalisation or are in a group which is often ‘harder to reach’, participated in the APEX Summer Opportunity this year. It is an important aspiration of APEX to increase the participation of these children and young people as an opportunity for them to appreciate and contribute the talents and knowledge they have developed as valued gifts that can enhance the learning of others, and develop new talents, knowledge and aspirations as educational gifts for themselves
APEX Summer 2010 had 174 participants who ranged in age from 9 to 16, and came from 28 primary or junior schools and 8 secondary schools across the local authority area. Pupils who attended APEX Summer 2010 came from the following schools. Those from independent schools paid a fee.
Feedback from the children and young people repeatedly expressed how much they had enjoyed and learned from their participation. Parents too were extremely positive about the experience that their children had been given. These are a few representative excerpts:
o “My son has really enjoyed the Summer School and has grown in confidence/responsibility as a result.”
o “What have been the best aspects ? ....”Seeing her little face beaming with excitement at 7.30am asking if it’s time to set off for the APEX yet!”
o “These workshops are simply a terrific was of engaging young minds and opening them up to the joy of learning. The tutors are experts who manage to convey and capture the enthusiasm they have for the subject.”
o “The Summer School and Saturday morning workshops are incredibly well organised, run with superb efficiency, produce fantastic results that would be impressive even if the pupils were 10 years older, and are an absolute flagship of the council’s education programme. Let’s hope they stay just that!”
o “Thank you for giving my daughter such a lovely way to learn!”
o “My daughter came out so excited each day – can’t wait for the next one!”
o “We think this is a precious opportunity for children to expand their knowledge and horizons. BANES should be rightly proud in their provision of this service, and of the vision and commitment of those who run it.”
o “My daughter has thoroughly enjoyed the chance to meet new people and learn new skills.”
o “My son has been eager to attend in the mornings and brimming with news of the day’s events when he got home.”
o “My daughter is bored at school but was an enthusiastic learner this week.”
o “This has transformed my daughter’s attitude to science, given that she is to take triple science that is quite a relief.”
In order to encourage a more influential voice of young people and their collaboration in the development of APEX a Working Party, comprising some of the attendees have been working with us to develop the APEX Summer Opportunities for secondary age students. Details are now on a dedicated website http://www.livinglearningconference.info