A pioneering project at Reaseheath College and University Centre has helped local pupils discover new possibilities for their futures, with one young participant now dreaming of becoming a plant scientist.
Pupils from Wrenbury Primary School and Malbank School and Sixth Form College were recently celebrated at Reaseheath after completing a six-month hands-on project designed to open their eyes to future careers in science, technology, engineering, food, farming and the environment.
The programme culminated in a celebration event attended by families, staff and civic guests, including High Sheriff of Cheshire Lynn Pegler DL and Eddisbury MP Aphra Brandreth, who has since highlighted the project in the House of Commons.
The programme saw pupils take part in practical activities across horticulture, food science, sustainability and food production, gaining experience of skills and careers they may not previously have encountered.
Pupils shared reflections during the event, highlighting how the programme had shaped their thinking about learning and future ambitions.
One pupil said: “I wanted to be an influencer but now I want to be a plant scientist.”
Another reflected: “My brain processes things differently and it feels hard to work through a school day. At Reaseheath it processes it easier and I can do it more.”
Laurence Anderson, Crop Production Supervisor at Reaseheath, said the programme had shown that there is no single way to learn or succeed.
“There isn’t just one way to learn and there isn’t just one path to success,” he said.
He added that the experience went beyond practical skills, focusing on confidence and personal growth.
“People need the right conditions to grow too. They need encouragement, opportunities, someone to believe in them, and sometimes just a chance to learn in a different way.”
Reaseheath Assistant Principal Sharon Yates said the pilot had given pupils valuable early insight into future pathways and impacted positively on their attendance and attainment at school.
“Over the past year it has been wonderful to watch these young people grow in confidence, discover new talents and begin thinking differently about what their futures could look like,” she said.
“But this programme is about much more than early engagement. It’s about building a clear pipeline from primary education into further study here at Reaseheath and ultimately into the agri-food sector. We are helping young people see that there is a place for them in industries that are vital to the future of food, farming and the environment.”
Pupils who attended the celebration, held in Reaseheath’s university centre, were presented with certificates recognising their participation and progress before taking part in practical activities including butter making, continuing the hands-on learning theme of the programme.
Wrenbury Primary School Headteacher Rebecca Charlesworth, who joined her pupils at the event, said the impact had been clear, particularly in terms of confidence, engagement and aspiration.
“I am so proud of how these children speak about their work,” she said. “They are already feeling a step ahead of their future. It only takes a few hours of their week, but the impact on their self-esteem and their outlook on school has been massive.”
