Geddington University has now
been up and running for a full
school year, originally opening its
doors in September 2015 after a
grant was awarded to Geddington
C of E Primary School as part of
Northamptonshire’s County Councils
Race to The Top project. The idea
was to set up an after-school club
with a difference, by extending the
school day from 3.15-5pm and
offering the children a chance to
participate in exciting extra-curricular
activities that would inspire and raise
their aspirations for the future.

One of the biggest successes has
been the partnership with Kettering
Buccleuch Academy. Once a week,
pupils have travelled across to KBA
to participate in science lessons with
dramatic chemical reactions and a
very exciting heart dissection. The
inspiring literacy lessons where
different forms of poetry were
explored and, more recently, the art
lessons in which pupils created a
mosaic warrior with inspiration from
around the village have all been
highlights of the first year.

The University team wish to pass on their thanks to KBA
and to all of the staff and pupils who have dedicated
their time to this project and allowed the pupils at
Geddington Primary School to use their facilities.
In addition, there has been sessions led by
Northamptonshire Fire Brigade on water safety and
safety in the home, with a surprise visit from a fire
engine, and the Police ran lessons designed to give
pupils a greater understanding of different areas of
policing and the opportunity to solve an imaginary
crime that happened at school. Father Rob from St
Mary Magdalene Church in Geddington has run two
separate choir groups and the pupils got to show off
their newly found team choir skills at the Easter service
in church.

Sport has been a very important part of the journey,
with a different type of sporting activity on offer each
evening. Netball has been a firm favourite, and there
has been matches against local schools. Northampton
Saints have run multi-skills activities and games and
the pupils thoroughly enjoyed playing rugby amongst
their peers.

As well as the exciting after-school activities, pupils
have also enjoyed weekend day trips. The first outing
was to the NEC to the Big Bang show, with participation
in the largest celebration of science, technology,
engineering and maths for young people in the UK. The
most recent outing was to Rock UK, doing orienteering,
open canoeing and high ropes. Head Teacher, Martin
Adamson, thoroughly enjoyed the canoeing and even
managed to have a paddle in the water!

The success of Geddington University is down to
the support from the local community and from
businesses who have offered their time. If you
have a skill, business or even a hobby that would
inspire of young people, then please do get in touch
with This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.