Release Date 08 March 2013

Over 200 pupils from local primary and secondary schools will enjoy a day of art education and entertainment at the University of Reading on Friday March 15.

Hosted by the University's Institute of Education (IoE), the primary school pupils will take part in practical workshops led by University lecturers in dance, creating scripts and using ICT to enhance creative writing. They will work with author Martin King, join in with some Sign Singing with Decibels and partake in some Samba Sensations with Readipop.

At lunchtime, RUSU's Circus Skills Society will be providing further entertainment and the chance to learn some circus skills. Later in the afternoon, students from local secondary schools will arrive for a series of ‘Drama Masterclasses' led by experts from the IoE.

This will be the second ‘Fridayfest' held at the University with the pupils once again able to make use of the excellent facilities housed in the London Road Campus where the IoE is based.

Professor Andy Kempe, the event organiser, said: "The Institute of Education enjoys very strong links with local schools. We train over 1000 teachers a year, many of whom go on to teach children in the area, so we are delighted to be holding another ‘Fridayfest'. The arts must remain an essential part of children's education. This event aims to provide local schoolchildren with an opportunity to work in an inspiring environment with inspiring educators."

For further details of ‘Fridayfest' please contact Professor Andy Kempe: 0118 3782678, a.j.kempe@reading.ac.uk