The first term of the 2019-20 academic year has seen the continuation of our Gifted and Talented Masterclass partnership with local primary schools Knop Law Primary School, Stocksfield Avenue Primary School, Thomas Walling Primary Academy, Wingrove Primary School and Wyndham Primary School in Newcastle and Thorney Close Primary School in Sunderland. 

Over the course of the year, we welcome a selection of Years 5-6 pupils from each primary school to take part in a series of workshops, known as masterclasses, at the Senior Schools. The sessions cover a wide range of subject areas: drama, dance, design technology, modern foreign languages, music, psychology, science, computing and PE. Now in its sixth consecutive year, 2019 saw the programme expand with the introduction of a new subject: English. 

At each session, the pupils work with our staff who introduce them to different subjects and/or specialist equipment they may not have at their own primary schools. In some instances, such as drama or science, our Sixth Form students assist the teachers with the classes. We believe it is a brilliant opportunity for our pupils to work alongside other children from neighbouring schools as well as offering primary school pupils the chance to see what learning is like at secondary school. On their return, the attendees share their learning experiences with the rest of their classes and, for some, it has prompted them to realise their special interest or talent in the different areas.

We’re proud that, on leaving the primary phase of their education, these links have enabled many children from our partnered schools to access bursaries and scholarships to study at Dame Allan’s.