SPELLBOUND Park Junior School pupils enjoyed a Hogwarts-style taste of university life at Cirencester’s Royal Agricultural College.

Classes of Year 6 children from the Stonehouse primary were kitted out in wizard robes and magic wands supplied by the college for a day long Harry Potter-themed tour of the campus and its facilities on Monday, July 12.

The event was one of four staged at the college in conjunction with the government’s Aimhigher programme, which seeks to widen participation in higher education.

Aspiring pupils were split into groups before being led across campus by student ambassadors in search of hidden scrolls revealing information about university life.

These encouraged the pupils to discuss all aspects of student living, such as accommodation and money management, before directing them to another part of the college to find the next scroll.

Later they took part in a host of drama workshops with freelance entertainer John Williams, who asked the groups to act out their favourite Harry Potter movie scenes in just five freeze frames.

John also donned one of the college’s illustrious graduation gowns to put on a magic show after lunch in the college’s Kenneth Russell room, which was decked out like the gothic ‘Great Hall’ at Harry’s Hogwarts School.

Lynne Gasser, one of the teachers who accompanied the pupils, said: "It really give them knowledge and understanding of how a university works and how accessible it can be.

"It also made the children think about the possibility of higher education when not many would have done so before."

Emma Thomas, the college’s widening participation officer added: "It was a fantastic day.

"I am pleased we were able to promote university life and achievement in a really enjoyable way.

"The reward for us was seeing the children’s confidence develop and knowing that the day has inspired them to aim higher for their futures".