Aspire Day

Aspire Week 2020: ‘cultural capital’! 

Each year Pioneer Educational Trust aims to provide opportunities to our pupils to aim high and challenge themselves to exceed their own expectations during Aspire Week.  Our 2020 Aspire Week was truly ‘pioneering’ as we took over 150 pupils across our 3 schools into London to experience the cultural delights the capital has to offer.  Our cross-Pioneer groups of pupils explored their designated tube lines enjoying experiences as diverse as Platform 9¾ at Kings Cross (Harry Potter fans were delighted with this!), the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral, the London Eye, Trafalgar Square, and Chinatown to name but a few of the destinations.  The pupils explored London through a number of different lens – Global London, Powerful London, Hidden London, Changing London and Rebellious London – to get a sense of the rich history of our capital city.  

Pupils especially enjoyed the graffiti tunnel at the Leake Street Arches, Waterloo.  Many pupils have expressed their admiration of the quality of art on display with one pupil recommending it as “the best place to see!”.  Another pupil particularly enjoyed passing Downing Street, certain that they saw the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, being driven home by his ‘wife’.

It was great to see the enthusiasm with which the pupils shared their experiences when they came together one Friday in January to celebrate their experiences and create their own artwork inspired by their trips into London.  As ever, the pupils amazed us with their creativity, imagination and skill.