Winston at Reading University

On Tuesday, June 17th, 2025, fifteen Year 8 students visited Reading University for their 'Unlocking History' event. This trip offered a dual benefit: experiencing university life, and to develop historical understanding through university-style sessions on various engaging topics.

Sessions included 1920s London (focusing on Underground posters), strike action (identifying tampered sources), and the history of World Earth Day (to emphasise Reading University's efforts at becoming a more sustainable university).

The highlight of the day was a session on primary sources. In this session, students were able to flick through diaries and Boys' Own and Girls' Own annuals from the early 20th century. They were encouraged to consider the problems with using sources written by children and to think about sources within their own personal archives left behind from earlier childhood.

Our students gained valuable insights into both history and higher education, they thoroughly enjoyed this experience."

Kind Regards

Mr Lovell-Smith

Teacher of History