Local primary school children inspired by launch of Curious Minds Hub at Westonbirt Prep

Friday 28th November 2025

Westonbirt Prep was abuzz with excitement and activity today as we launched Curious Minds Hub – our brand-new Gifted and Talented Workshop for local primary school children.

Specially designed for Year 4 pupils, Curious Minds Hub is a programme that brings together like-minded pupils from local schools for workshops aimed at providing stetch, challenge and inspiration to children who show exceptional potential in key areas of the curriculum.

These free sessions aim to provide a supportive, engaging and stimulating environment where children can collaborate, build confidence, ignite interest in new concepts and subjects, and extend their learning beyond the boundaries of their usual classrooms.

Today’s first workshop focussed on Creative Writing, and we were delighted to host more than 20 children from primary schools across South Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.

Led by Westonbirt Prep’s Head of English, Miss Mole, the day was designed to stretch and challenge young writers, giving them a space to explore language, imagination, and storytelling beyond what they might usually encounter in the classroom.

Named The Imagination Emporium, the workshop was inspired by children’s book The Nowhere Emporium by Ross MacKenzie. From the moment they arrived, the children eagerly dived straight into their activities, entering their classroom which had been transformed into a magical emporium filled with mystery objects to the sound of atmospheric music and dimmed lighting.

Learning activities were centred around helping the children establish ideas to help them create an exciting new magical world before drawing all their ideas together to write a short story entitled Welcome to My Imagination Emporium.

One of the greatest benefits of dedicated enrichment activities like Curious Minds Hub is the opportunity they give children to work at greater depth. Gifted and talented pupils often crave additional challenge, and without it, they may disengage or hide their abilities. By offering tailored sessions, Curious Minds Hub, intends to allow children to grow their skills, confidence, and independence as learners.

Another invaluable aspect is the social benefit. Bringing pupils together from different schools help children realise that there are others who share their passions. Many children who attended made new friends, swapped ideas, and left feeling part of a wider community of young learners.

Curious Minds Hub workshops are held at Westonbirt Prep throughout the academic year, with the next event focussing on Science taking place on Friday 6th February 2026. Future workshops will focus on Art and Maths.

Find out more about Curious Minds Hub here: https://westonbirt.org/curious-minds-hub/.