Students enjoy a ‘wild time’ at AQA Unlocking Potential celebration event at London Zoo

Published: Wednesday 10 Jul 2024

Over 100 students from across the country joined their athlete mentors from the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, along with AQA staff and guests at London Zoo to celebrate completing the AQA Unlocking Potential programme.

The first activity of the day was a scavenger hunt around the zoo, where students were sent off in teams to find and solve a series of clues to reveal the combination to a treasure chest. They had 90 minutes to complete their task, with prizes being awarded for fastest team, best teamwork and best animal impression!

The fastest team back and to open the safe correctly was St Christopher’s School from Wrexham, the best team work award went to students from the Richard Rose Central Academy in Carlisle and the best animal impression was won by students from the Royal Albert and Alexandra School in Reigate. Each of the winning teams received gold medals, a certificate, and some sweets from the treasure chest.

Finally, it was on to the awards ceremony, where we played a short film of this year’s programme and listened to students from two schools speak about their social action projects. Students and schools were then presented with their certificates by AQA Trustee Mark Allen and Dame Kelly Holmes CEO Martin Talbot – students also received an Amazon voucher worth £30 for completing the programme.

AQA Trustee Mark Allen said:

“I had the pleasure to meet the young people engaged in AQA Unlocking Potential at the end of programme celebration at London Zoo.

“It was great to meet staff and athletes from the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust who deliver the program and to meet with the great volunteers from AQA who gave up their time to make this event possible.

“This is a really inspiring collaboration which gives less advantaged young people many of the life skills they may need to give them the best chance of success at school and beyond. Well done to everyone involved.”

Nominations for the next AQA Unlocking Potential will open in September/October 2024. For more details visit the AQA Unlocking Potential website.

Winners of the scavenger hunt St Christopher’s School

One school trying to find their next clue in the scavenger hunt

AQA Trustee Mark Allen (right) and Dame Kelly Holmes CEO Martin Talbot (centre, back row), presenting students from Garforth Academy with their certificates

Final group photo of all AQA Unlocking Potential students, athlete mentors and AQA volunteers

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