BUCKINGHAMSHIRE'S New University has played host pupils from the Misbourne School in Great Missenden and Highworth Combined School in High Wycombe as part of The Sorrell Young Design Programme.

The programme aims to inspire creativity in young people by arranging schools and community groups to meet with industry professionals and design students at universities. Bucks New Uni is one of 11 high education institutes in the UK to participate in the programme so far this year.

The pupils, aged between 8-16, came together at the university to discuss how creativity and design could help improve their schools learning environment. Looking at ways in which their schools could be more practical, friendly and inviting. Ideas from the pupils included colourful classrooms, shelter from wind and rain in playgrounds as well as ways for the schools to reduce their carbon footprints.

A pupil aged 8, from Highworth Combined School, said: “I have enjoyed today, it has been really fun talking about how to make our school better”

The day ended with the pupils brainstorming ideas with degree students studying Graphic Arts, Spatial Design, Furniture, Design & Craft and Silversmithing, Metal Work and Jewellery from the university. The students from the faculty of Creativity and Culture will be required to design creative solutions to the problems within the schools that the pupils highlighted.

Executive Faculty Manager, Liz Bell, described the day as: “Signalling the start of an exciting project bringing the university and local schools together.”

“The programme will run until May and gives Bucks students an opportunity to develop their employability skills working together in cross discipline design teams with real pupil client groups, and look specifically at design for schools.” she added.

Film and Video Production students filmed the day as part of their course and will be producing a free DVD of the event. They will film the end of the project when all the changes have been made in the schools.