ON FRIDAY, 22 March, we welcomed more than 300 Year 5 students and staff from South View, Winklebury, Merton, Marnel and Oakridge Junior Schools to Everest Community Academy for a taster session, so they could have a brief experience of life at secondary school.

Year 9 and 10 student leaders helped show the Year 5s around the school and ensured that they arrived at the different activities, which included; French and Spanish lessons, learning ways to pass a basketball, and new dance moves.

The students also painted a silhouette in art, decorated cakes in food technology and took part in scientific experiments which included using a Bunsen burner.

Each activity lasted around 30 minutes and we enjoyed a 30 minute break for lunch and relaxation.

As they were leaving, many students told us they had enjoyed the sessions and had fun. Some Year 6 students find transition to secondary school bewildering and stressful, we hope the taster sessions make the thought of changing schools a little less frightening.

by Pyran Watson