Education Taster days and opportunities
Our taster days offer your students the best way to experience University life.
We hope you can join us on campus for one of them. Email [email protected] to find out how we can support your travel.
Taster days
Education Taster Day
Chelmsford: 22 November 2025 / 18 March 2026 / 1 July 2026
Cambridge: 5 November 2025 / 17 March 2026 / 30 June 2026
Peterborough: 26 November 2025
Are your students interested in becoming a teacher or exploring a career in education? Join us at ARU for our Education Taster Day – a hands-on, inspiring experience designed for sixth-form and college students thinking seriously about their career options.
Whether they are curious about primary teaching, secondary education, early childhood, or broader roles in educational leadership or support, or just considering careers working with people, this taster day offers insight into what it’s like to study Education and make a real difference in the lives of learners. ARU is ranked 13th in the UK for Education (The Guardian University Guide 2025) and we have 20 years' experience training education professionals meaning your students will be guided by experts. They'll explore which of ARU's wide range of courses is the best fit for their skills, aspirations and learning style as well as gaining insight into Education careers. Our current students can help with their perspective too, both on their course and Uni life in general.
Education and Social Care Taster Day
KS5: 10 December 2025
KS4: 21 January 2026
Location: ARU Peterborough
Inspire future educators and social workers at our Education and Social Care Exploration Day! If your students love the idea of working with kids or dream of making a difference in families' lives, bring them along to ARU for a hands-on day designed to spark ideas and shape futures.
Through creative activities and real-life scenarios, they'll dive into how young children learn, the importance of the home environment, and understanding the mental and physical health of individuals. Plus, they’ll get the inside scoop from our current students about what studying education and social care at university is really like.
Taster sessions
Online or in person at your school or college* or at ARU we have a range of sessions for you to choose from. They can be delivered as a standalone session or as part of a build-your-own-taster day.
Montessori Early Childhood Studies: Practical approaches to Montessori - 60 mins
A one hour session that offers an introductory guide to the Montessori approach, using practical examples and volunteers.
Primary Education Studies/Bed - A day in the life of a teacher — 60 mins
A one hour seminar where students are given a provocation of what they think the role of a teacher is. Then an interactive task that promotes/demystifies the average day of a teacher.
How can ARU support you? (Scavenger Hunt) — 30 mins
An interactive hunt around campus where students have to find clues and facilities to film short videos/take photos.
Play, health & wellbeing — 60 mins
A one hour taster session that considers the stages of child development and interactive tasks.
What does sustainability mean to you? — 60 mins
A one hour session that introduces the course content, utilising a practical hands on approach and a stop-motion app.
Why does inclusion in education matter? — 60 mins
A one hour session that gives a provocation of why inclusion matters in education. Hands on practical, creative session and output.
This is just a small selection of the activities we can offer. For more info and to arrange your personalised sessions get in touch: [email protected]
*Not all sessions can be delivered online or at your school or college. But we will work with you to shape the best experience for your students based on the delivery format. Timings are approximate.
Meet our staff team
Dean Barber: Primary English, Children’s mental health and well-being, LGBTQ+ inclusion
Dr Gareth Bates: teacher education, higher education, school improvement, science education.
Dr Elsa Lee: sustainability education, education and environmental justice, environmental education and the arts.
Emma Miles: the pedagogy of arts/cultural experience, theatre/museums/galleries and education, Early childhood education.
Stacy Randall: early years and education, leadership, safeguarding children, the Reggio approach and learning.
Dr Michelle Wisbey: Montessori approach to education, sustainable early years education, children and their risk taking.