The Gilford Centre in Upperby is playing host to the BBC Cumbria bus this week, giving the young people at the pupil referral unit an opportunity to try out a whole range of technical wizardry.
The pupil referral unit at Upperby caters for pupils who are permanently excluded from school and also provides some short term placements for pupils who continue to attend mainstream school.
As part of its role as an extended school, the Gilford Centre has organised a number of events over the summer holidays for the young people at the unit and their parents. This week's event is a visit by the BBC Cumbria Bus.
The bus tours the county with tutors on board who can answer questions on the digital switchover, building a website, making a film, MP3 players, blogging, podcasting and a whole range of technical gadgetry. They will also be able to help new computer users with IT and the internet. Broadcast journalists are based with the bus and will be finding out more about the work of extended schools and meeting the local community.
As well as the BBC bus, young people and their families will have the opportunity to go on an activity day at Hawes End outdoor centre. Future plans for the centre include providing activities that develop and support family relationships.
Phil Roberts is the Education Welfare Officer at the Gilford Centre. He said:
"The BBC bus is a great opportunity for young people and their families to have access to IT that they can experience together.
"It also gives them an opportunity to experience the sort of family activities that are usually provided by schools."
As well as the special sessions for pupils and parents at the Gilford Centre, the bus and its facilities will also be open to the whole community in the afternoons between 1 and 4pm until Thursday 17 August. More details are available at bbc.co.uk/cumbria.
Notes for Editors
The Gilford Centre is one of three pupil referral units run by Cumbria County Council
The unit has specialist teachers and teaching assistants
An extended school offers a range of services for children, young people, their families and the local community beyond the normal school day