Students from a primary school in Queen’s Park celebrated their involvement in a mentoring programme for young girls by attended a special graduation ceremony.

The pupils from Islamia Girls Primary School in Salusbury Road, took part in the project which aims to inspire young people into reaching their full potential by equipping them with the skills needed to connect education to work at an early age.

The fully-funded programme run by mentoring initiative Mosaic included a university visit to give them a taste of further education.

Those who take part often lack confidence and have a limited understanding of further education or future career opportunities so the programme improves their confidence and skills.

During the graduation event the pupils, aged between 9 and 11, spoke about their experience on the programme in front of influential business leaders, teachers, and mentors including entrepreneur Shazia Saleem, 30-year-old founder of ieatfoods and one of BBC World’s Top 100 Woman 2014.

Mentors on the programme come from a variety of professional backgrounds and sectors, including company directors, health professionals, lawyers, accountants and artists.

Mala Bamford, a Mosaic mentor, said: “Mentoring at the Islamia Primary School has been an eye-opener for me. The girls are intelligent, engaged and responsive and we have had lively productive sessions.”

Approximately 60 schools participate in the programme nationwide with around 1,200 pupils across the country.

If you are interested in finding out more or possibly enrolling your school in the programme you can email mosaic@bitc.org.uk.