Primary
We deliver a range of events, activities, and information sessions for Years 3 - 6, both on campus and in schools. Aimed at raising aspirations, attainment and knowledge of university, all our sessions are led by University staff and/or student ambassadors. All sessions can be delivered in school, on campus and for some, virtually.
Due to resourcing, we prioritise primary schools using several metrics which include locality, Free School Meals (FSM) and Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD). This determines the level of outreach we can provide for schools.
If you’d like to get in touch to discuss support, book an activity, or have another query, please email schools@le.ac.uk.
Our primary outreach offering
Assemblies
Why university?
This is an assembly that gives students a little introduction to university and includes some true and false games.
Recommended for Years 3 - 6.
Humanities workshops
South Asian soldiers during the second World War
This session teachers students about the role of Indians in World War II. Covering where they fought, the role of women in the army and the partition of India after the war. The session also includes a letter writing activity for students.
Recommended for Year 6.
Deciphering Dicken’s code
This session gives students the opportunity to explore Charles Dickens’ use of shorthand. The lesson introduces students to shorthand as a form of ‘coded’ language and encourages them to consider who might use it and why. Students will then learn about the Victorian writer, Charles Dickens, and the shorthand system that he used. Subsequently, the session asks students to take part in a variety of ‘decoding’ activities, before writing their own coded messages.
Recommended for Years 5 - 6.
STEM workshops
Living on the ISS
This session introduces young people to the idea of living in space, on board the International Space Station. Students explore the idea of gravity and design a bedroom for the ISS. This also includes videos from UK astronaut, Tim Peake.
Recommended for Years 5 - 6.
Materials
This session encourages students to consider why certain materials are used in space crafts, getting them to test how effective different materials are under specific conditions.
Recommended for Years 5 - 6.
Forces and rockets
This session introduces students to the concept of Gravity and the challenges of living with microgravity in space. Students will also have the opportunity to learn how rockets can be used to transport people and materials in to space. (This activity includes an outdoor experiment).
Recommended for Years 5 - 6.
Biology in the box
The KS2 session is a 1 hour session including an interactive activity. There are several options for the interactive activity including a bug scavenger hunt, crafting a bug, a symmetry task and building a bug hotel, we usually decide on the activities based on the year group of students.
Recommended for Years 4 - 6.
Campus visits
We welcome up to 30 primary students to be selected to visit the University campus and engage in a range of interactive sessions. Times are approximately 10.00am – 2.00pm. More details of the session content to be provided upon booking.
A visit can include the following:
- Campus tours by current students showing our lecture theatres, our model rocket and ‘Jane’ the dinosaur.
- Q&A talks with student ambassadors.
- Protecting LEGOville - This session introduces engineering to students, and the skills that are needed to enter a career in engineering. There is a practical activity which develops team-work and communication.
- And any other activities and talks mentioned on this webpage.
Recommended for Years 5 - 6.
2023/24 primary events
In addition to our primary offering, we host a number of additional opportunities for young people. Some are available for group bookings whilst other events can be directly signed up to. See below to find out more and keep checking back as we release more exciting opportunities.
Primary taster days
The University of Leicester hosts two primary taster days a year. This is an opportunity for year 5/6 students to visit the University and attend a variety of different sessions to inspire and inform them about life at university. This free event has a limited capacity of 30 students from 3 schools. Therefore, we ask schools to express an interest for these events. We require schools to bring a ratio of 1:10 teachers for students.
Primary taster days include
- Subject based taster sessions.
- A chance for students to interact with current students.
- An opportunity for students to be shown around the different parts of our campus by student ambassadors.
- A session around student societies.
- A group graduation photo opportunity.
“We all, staff included, had a fantastic day yesterday! The children thoroughly enjoyed it.”
Alderman Richard Hallam Primary School at Primary Taster Day 2023
When and where?
- The Summer Primary Taster Day occurs during the later stages of the summer term (late June/early July).
- The Winter Primary Taster Day occurs during the later stages of the winter term (mid/late December)
- The event runs from approximately 9.30am to 2.10pm.
Schools are expected to organise transport to and from the University of Leicester main campus, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH.
How can I sign up?
We encourage all schools to sign up! However, priority will be given to schools in the following order:
- Schools who have signed up for previous taster days but were unsuccessful.
- Schools who have previously worked with us this academic year.
- Schools which meet certain widening participation criteria.
2024 Summer Primary Taster Day
- Sign up deadline: 24 May 2024
- Confirmed date of event: 27 June 2024
Complete the expression of interest form
2024 Winter Primary Taster Day
- Applications not open.