Saturday saw the successful conclusion of our BUDS programme for 2024 with over 50 local primary school pupils participating from January to July. 

BUDS is our Saturday enrichment programme aimed at Building Understanding, Developing Skills in gifted and talented Year 5s at Christ the Saviour C of E Primary, Selborne Primary, Montpelier, North Ealing Primary, Little Ealing Primary, Green Dragon Primary, Stanhope Primary, Blair Peach Primary and St Vincent’s Primary Acton schools.

Over the past six months pupils have been participating in sessions on STEM, Creative Thinking and Public Speaking.

For the final session the children used their fantastic public speaking skills to give passionate presentations on all of the sessions that they had enjoyed in their STEM sessions this year. This covered everything  from Harry Potter to rockets to dissecting eyeballs to a tiramisu moon surface and more!  Their speeches to the groups were impressive, with brilliant use of body language and gestures as well as their words and voices. For Creative Thinking, the pupils created their own stories and they developed them into films. Meanwhile,the entire group was lucky enough to be part of the premiere screening of these films; clearly several future film directors, writers, and actors in the making!

 We received some wonderful feedback from both pupils and parents, including:

 Year 5 pupil:

“I like how we get to use our imagination and learn things that we don’t learn in normal school and that it can be very exciting – they make the learning be fun! I like how in creative writing you have to create your own story with your imagination, and you don’t have to follow any rules except for the “hero structure”. In science I like how you get to do cool experiments. In public speaking I like how you get to express your opinion in speeches. BUDS is really good for making new friends and the teachers and students of Notting Hill High who teach us are really friendly.”

 Parent of Year 5 pupil:

“My son is absolutely loving the sessions and comes home inspired, energetic, buzzing and bursting with conversation about the whole experience! I can’t believe that he looks forward to these sessions so much even though it is effectively going to school on a Saturday morning! Many thanks again for the opportunity, we are really lucky and grateful that he was selected.”

 Parent of Year 5 pupil:

“Giving my daughter the opportunity to widen her capabilities has been such a blessing. Thank you ever so much for all of you and your colleagues/year 12’s efforts and time taken out during your Saturdays as well. This has been an amazing experience to have her have been a part of.”

 Parent of Year 5 pupil:

“R is very enthusiastic about attending and it has opened her mind to new ideas and possibilities. For an inquisitive mind, it’s a blessing since it engages her mind.”

Mr Fernando, Head of Co-Curricular and Partnerships said, “I am extremely proud to have led this brilliant activity, where we successfully brought together groups from our community, including staff and students, to bring BUDS to life. I was genuinely impressed with how far the Year 5 pupils came—from shy individuals from nine different schools to confident learners who made new friends, developed new skills, and participated with smiles on their faces and exemplary behaviour. These pupils are a testament to each of their schools and their parents.

 I am also proud of how well our Year 12 students took on leadership roles, managing various activities such as registration, assisting with sessions, organising breaks, and conducting reflective and enjoyable closing sessions. Special thanks go to Nirupama, Amelia, and Tehreem, who assisted in all six sessions! Additionally, heartfelt thanks to Ms Brown, Ms Vannini, Mr Rosolen, and Ms Absoud for running the fantastic sessions.”

 Until next year!