Whilst it was only two months ago that the Primary Years Programme Exhibition (PYPX) was officially launched to our Year 6 learners and their families, this week’s PYPX was the culmination of the years of hard work throughout their primary education. Read on to find out more about what the PYPX entails, the breadth of topics our Year 6 learners researched, and how the PYPX forms part of their transition to secondary school in August.
Mr Paul Rimmer, Deputy Head of Primary and PYP Co-ordinator, explains that the PYPX is a chance for our Year 6 learners to delve into a subject matter that is important to them, do an extended piece of research, present their findings and question differing perspectives around the topic.
Each of our Year 6 learners were tasked with choosing a topic, with some opting to work individually and others as a pair or small group. Linking to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, topics covered a range of themes, including Environment and Sustainability, Technology, Industry and Innovation, History and Traditions, Sports, Health and Wellbeing, Arts and Culture and Gender Equality
Within these topics, exhibition topics varied hugely, with learners choosing ideas that they felt passionate about and were excited to complete research on. Over 8 weeks, learners had to research a central idea and multiple lines of inquiry around their topic, as well as develop an interactive or engaging element of their exhibition, all of which was presented to visiting guests. Along the way, learners were encouraged to speak to experts from their relevant fields and worked closely with mentoring staff from across the academic and administrative teams of the school staff.
As the exhibition evening arrived, our Level 2, 3 and 4 atrium spaces were transformed with over 80 booths covering a huge breadth of exhibits, including:
Paul Kemmett, Year 6 Year Leader, shares how the Primary Years Programme Exhibition is a milestone moment for our Year 6 learners. Alongside showcasing months of in-depth, learner-led inquiry, our learners developed key learning skills which will support them as they make the transition to secondary school in August.
Choosing and researching a topic so extensively required our learners to work independently and with a high level of resilience. Many of our learners likened the experience of the PYPX to a rollercoaster – a lot of excitement, a few dips, but overall well worth it and something they’d love to do again! One Year 6 learner shared that for him, “the biggest challenge was narrowing down research”, whilst another explained he found working in a group the hardest part. “Working in a group on our exhibition meant I had to collaborate with people who had different ideas and perspectives, but ultimately we each brought something valuable to the team and it was a great experience getting to do this with my friends.” Others shared how improving their time management skills was essential to getting everything completed.
For two of our learners who wanted to create a VR experience where guests could explore Ancient Egypt and Greece and learn more about various mythology through interactive dioramas, part of the challenge was making sure they set achievable deadlines. They said that part of their success was thanks to their “amazing mentor who we met weekly and helped us learn how to organise our workloads.”
Speaking to parents during the exhibition evening, one theme stood out – the hard work of our learners to complete such an extended academic project, and the support of the Year 6 teaching team who made it all possible. “We spoke to our daughter about her exhibition at home but to see the progress she has made from eight weeks ago is incredible. She has really enjoyed this whole experience.” Another parent shared how the Primary Years Programme Exhibition is unlike anything they would have done at school. “When I was at school, we just learned from textbooks. It’s clear from this evening that the teachers have supported all of our children to find something they’re really passionate about and helped them to produce some amazing exhibits – we’re very proud parents!”
The PYPX is the culmination of our Year 6 learners’ primary journey, with them starting secondary school and our Years 7-9 Middle Years Programme in just a few short weeks. Importantly, the PYPX is one of the first significant milestones in our learners’ International Baccalaureate (IB) journey, with the Year 9 Community Project and eventual IB Diploma Programme in Years 12 and 13. Whilst the PYPX is just one eight-week unit of inquiry, the skills they have learned through completing it are intentionally designed to support our learners’ progress as they make the transition to secondary school. It is just one of the ways in which we support our Year 6 learners to move up to Year 7, with other workshops, activities and celebrations taking place over the coming weeks.
We are incredibly proud of this year’s Year 6 learners and all of the exhibitions they have presented! We can’t wait to see what’s next for you all!
Find out more about our Primary Years Programme at Nexus here.
