A FLUFFY purple creature which is used to inspire schoolchildren to go to university will be made redundant – unless Weston College bosses find more cash.
Professor Fluffy is used as a visual aid for hundreds of primary school students who attend the college each year to find out more about what options are available to them after secondary school.
Through the use of interactive activities the Professor Fluffy project achieves its aim of introducing higher education in a fun and engaging way.
The toy is the brainchild of the former Government’s Aimhigher programme, but is set for the axe as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review.
Weston College’s principal, Dr Paul Phillips, said: “Raising aspirations is crucial and to introduce children to the concept of university type education is invaluable.
“Despite the Government cutbacks I intend to find other funding so that this initiative is supported in North Somerset in the future.”
On April 5 over 18 days Professor Fluffy will lead 500 nine and 10-year-olds plus 56 teachers from 16 North Somerset primary schools on an innovative educational journey which culminates in a mock graduation service.
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