News Bridge Graduation 2021 10.12.2021
Saturday 4 December was the very last Bridge session for our 2021 cohort of 72 children. After their morning Maths and English lessons they joined their parents, teachers, Lower Sixth Ambassadors, Mr Golland (Bridge Outreach Co-ordinator), and Head, Dr Frances Ramsey, in the Bishop Centre to celebrate everything they had achieved over the last twelve months.
At the graduation ceremony Mr Golland congratulated the students on attending 40 hours of Saturday lessons, 30 hours of tutorials with Keystone Tutors, and collectively spending 2,255 hours on the Atom learning platform. This was particularly commendable as this year’s programme began during the second national lockdown and initially sessions were delivered remotely using the google classroom learning platforms. The Bridge students also received twelve books specially chosen by Godolphin English teachers, and their own iPad to keep – plus a very well deserved round of applause as they collected their certificates.
Dr Ramsey paid tribute to the students saying, ‘They have been incredible in their hard work and commitment. They’ve thrown themselves into everything that’s been on offer, and as well as enjoying learning lots of different subjects, they have made great friendships and formed excellent relations with their teachers. At Godolphin and Latymer we have loved getting to know them and their families, who have become an important part of our community this year… My hope is that the Bridge programme has been a genuine bridge for them between primary school and whichever school it is that comes next for them, and that the way in which they have relished their learning this year will be a foundation for many successes at school in the years ahead.’
Most of the students have now applied for places and bursaries at independent secondary schools in London – including Godolphin and Latymer – and we wish them the best of luck in their applications. Our 2021 graduates were full of praise for the programme and had words of encouragement for students hoping to join the programme in the future:
“The Bridge has helped me a lot with my 11+ and helping me with my homework. Without it I don’t think I stood much of a chance but now I think I do.” 2021 Bridge Graduate
“My social skills have increased and I’ve made lots of friends. Also the learning was really fun.” 2021 Bridge Graduate
“I have mostly enjoyed from the Bridge programme learning new things and getting a better understanding of the topics I found difficult and also making new friends.” 2021 Bridge Graduate
“I’d say to a student joining the Bridge programme to not be nervous because Bridge has helped me a lot and I know that it will help them; no matter how they are, they can get very far in life using the Bridge.” 2021 Bridge Graduate
This year’s cohort of pupils joined us from the following 36 primary schools:
Ark Atwood Primary School
Ark Bentworth Primary Academy
Ark Swift Primary Academy
Avondale Park Primary School
Bevington Primary School
Brackenbury Primary School
Colville Primary School
Earl’s Court Free School Primary
Flora Gardens Primary School
Granard Primary
Greenside Primary
Hampden Gurney Primary School
Heathmere Primary School
John Betts
John Perryn
Larmenier and Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School
Miles Coverdale Primary School
St John XXIII Catholic Primary School
St Mary Abbots School
St Mary Magdalene Primary School
St Paul’s CE Primary
St Peter’s CE Primary School
The Alton Primary School
The Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School
The Vineyard Primary School
Thomas Jones
Wendall Park Primary School
West London Free School Primary
Wormholt Park Primary School
Fulham Primary School
St Stephen’s CE Primary School
Ark Priory
St Charles Catholic Primary School
Ark Burlington Danes
The Aldgate School
Honeywell Junior School