In terms of ancient Egyptian history a 100 years is a short space of time but for the Young Egyptologist workshops reaching the 100 mark is a time for celebration.
The Egypt Centre at Swansea University welcomed Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Bryniago of Pontarddulais, to its 100th Young Egyptologist workshop in January. The award winning workshops have been running for 10 years now and several teachers reported that for some children they had totally transformed their attitude to learning.
The aim of the workshops is to raise standards of literacy and numeracy but more importantly raise confidence and self esteem. The workshops are also awarded 10 credits with Children’s University Swansea and the children receive a Children’s University Certificate along with their Egypt Centre ‘Young Egyptologist’ certificate at the award ceremony.
The Egypt Centre also provides a buffet lunch and a mini bus, with escort, to transport Community First children to and from their school. Over the years the Centre has seen many changes to our timetable, activities and props!
The Young Egyptologist workshops have been recognised for their contribution to Education and have received the Education Extra Award (2003) and the ContinYou Cymru award (2006) in recognition of the out-of-school-hours provision to children in Community First areas. In 2007 the Egypt Centre was shortlisted for the Times Higher Education Award for widening participation. The workshops are an important part of out widening participation remit.
