A UNIQUE educational programme which mentors and inspires secondary school children culminated in an aspirational tour of the metropolitan centre of the north.
Pupils from across West Cumbria participated in this year’s ICanToo programme run by charitable organisation The React Foundation, in conjunction with employability skills provider Inspira.
READ MORE: Cumbrian schools take part in React Foundation's Big Quiz of the Year
The key focus of the programme is for the pupils to see beyond their limits and explore opportunities in science and engineering, and the participants were treated to a three-day visit of Manchester where they engaged in the city’s rich and diverse industrial and engineering heritage.
Pupils from West Lakes Academy (Egremont), St Benedict’s (Whitehaven), Netherhall (Maryport) and Cockermouth schools were treated to the residential trip.
The trip started with a stadium tour and an educational workshop at Old Trafford, followed by a tour of the city’s historical landmarks, led by John Alker from New Manchester Walks.
Up next was a visit to the University of Salford where pupils were given a tour of the educational facility and took part in a 3D modelling exercise, before jumping into the cockpit of a Concorde with retired pilot Tony Fallows at the city’s Runway Visitor Park at Manchester Airport.
There was still time to make one final stop at the Museum of Science and Industry for a tour led by the museum’s head of learning Chris Keady.
Ben Clements, a pupil at West Lakes Academy, said: “I thoroughly enjoyed all the experiences. I have an interest in architecture and was fascinated by the new skyscrapers during the tour.”
The ICanToo programme is an initiative developed and organised by the trustees and volunteers at The React Foundation.
Tom Wright, the ICanToo organiser and volunteer of the Foundation, said: “It is with thanks to my colleagues at The React Foundation for their hard work behind the scenes in organising such a memorable trip.
“Most importantly, we have to say thank you to all the pupils who showed great commitment to learn throughout the programme and seized these great opportunities which don’t come about easily.”
READ MORE: Cumbrian schoolchildren visit University of Oxford
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