Nearly 600 primary school pupils in Glasgow have celebrated their success in a widening access programme at the University of Strathclyde.
The P7 pupils took part in Young Strathclyder, which offers them a taste of higher education and learning opportunities. The programme is particularly aimed at raising the attainment and aspirations of pupils from disadvantaged areas, helping them to build a sense of belonging and confidence.
Introduction to courses
Young Strathclyder offers an introduction to courses across the University’s four faculties – Strathclyde Business School, Science, Engineering and Humanities & Social Sciences – through activities such as creating a bouncy ball to learn about chemical engineering, designing algorithms and gaining insight into work, recruitment and employment.
Accompanied by their teachers and student mentors from Strathclyde, the pupils, from 13 of the 17 participating schools, donned gowns and mortar boards to be ceremonially capped and presented with certificates, during two ‘graduation’ ceremonies at Strathclyde’s Barony Hall. More than 500 parents and guardians joined them in the celebrations.
Welcoming the pupils, Professor Stephen McArthur, Principal & Vice-Chancellor of Strathclyde, told them that “Young Strathclyder was created so you could get a taste of what universities are all about.” He then explained that universities are where learning and research lead to the creation of ideas that improve the world and society.
Professor McArthur added:
We created Young Strathclyder to make you feel comfortable coming here. I hope that your experience with us has encouraged you to think about going to university when you are older. We want university to feel possible for everyone – whatever your family background, even if you’d be the first in your family to come here.
“Your teachers, your families – they all believe in you. You’ve tried new things, learned new skills and started thinking about the future. That’s what Young Strathclyder is all about. So, keep being curious, keep asking questions, and never stop learning.”
The primary schools the pupils at the ceremony attend are: Annette Street; Chirnsyde; Dunard; Glendale; St Benedict's; St Paul's Whiteinch; Cranhill; Cuthbertson; Oakwood; Bankhead; Carntyne; Miller and Wellshot.
Programme expanded
The pupils are among 4,800 to have taken part in the Young Strathclyder Primary programme since it began in 2022. Around 1,500 from 17 schools took part in 2025-6 alone, when the programme was expanded into North Lanarkshire.
The Primary programme is one of three main elements of Young Strathclyder, along with the S2 programme, which involved more than 500 S2 pupils from 20 schools in the past year, and the week-long Accelerate, which more than 350 S5 and S6 pupils will attend on the Strathclyde campus this month.