FOUR hundred youngsters from primary schools across Weymouth got a taste of secondary school life.

Six primary schools in Weymouth went to a special masterclass day held at Wey Valley School.

The Year Four and Five children had a go at Tudor art, food technology, chemistry, physics, animal care, maths and PE lessons with staff and student leaders from the school.

Pupils from Radipole, St Nicholas and St Laurence, St Andrew’s, St John’s, Southill and Bincombe Valley primary schools took part in the day at the campus in Dorchester Road.

Bincombe Valley teacher, Carole Bell, said: “We are always made very welcome when we visit Wey Valley. The Year 5 children were excited to be visiting a secondary school and were amazed at how big the campus is.

“These workshops offer them a taste of what to expect when they leave primary and move into secondary education. And I’m always pleased to see past pupils – although I now have to look up at them.”

The event included an animal care session where pupils handled tarantulas, snakes and lizards and a maths workshop focussing on fractals and patterns.

Pupils also took part in art sessions to develop 3D art and design, a hospitality and catering master class where pupils baked cakes and muffins, and art sessions with a creative emphasis on decorative costumes.

Wey Valley principal Phil Thomas praised the enthusiasm and energy of the visiting students.

He said: “We are always delighted to welcome pupils and staff from local primary schools to Wey Valley to see our vast array of facilities and the opportunities to complement and further student studies.

“The excellent rapport among our student leaders provides a great deal of confidence and support to the Year Four and Five pupils in a much bigger school.”

Wey Valley School will be following up on the masterclass and work-shop event with a tennis, orienteering and art festival for local primary schools later on during the term.