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Posted on: February 24th 2021
The Scholars Programme
Year 8 and Year 10: The Scholars Programme 2021
Congratulations to the Successful applicants for the Scholars Programme 2021
Congratulations to our Year 8 and 10 students who successfully gained a place on this year’s Scholars Programme. This is an academic programme run by “The Brilliant Club”. The programme aims to widen access for outstanding students in non-selective state schools to the United Kingdom’s most selective universities.
The following students were selected to participate in the programme;
What is involved in the programme?
• It is a programme that places university researchers (PhD Tutors) in schools, to give students the experience of university style learning. It allows students to develop key university readiness skills, including critical thinking and meta-cognition.
• The PhD tutors teach university-style tutorials to groups of six pupils, based around supra-curricular topics specifically designed to stretch and challenge students.
• Restrictions allowing, we hope that our students will be able to attend a graduation trip at a leading university after completing the programme.
• At the end of the programme students complete a final assignment of between 1000 and 1500 words for Year 8 and 2000 words for Year 10. These assignments will be marked in the style of university work, with students receiving a 1st, 2.1, 2.2 degree classification grade.
Although university may not be for everyone, The Scholars Programme aims to give children an experience of university learning to help them to make an informed decision.
Online Live Launch Wednesday 20th January
Our 2021 Scholars attended the online live launch of the Scholars Programme hosted by the University of Exeter, one of the prestigious Russell Group Universities.
Students experienced an introductory welcome to the programme from the Brilliant Club who run the Scholars Programme. Students from the University of Exeter also presented an overview of next steps in further education and university life as well as leading a study skills session. Our selected students from Whitmore, participated in the interactive sessions alongside students from other schools across the UK.
Here are some slides from the presentation:
University Style Tutorials led by PHD tutors on MS Teams
Our Scholars in Years 8 and 10 have begun attending their University style tutorials on MS teams. They are following an academic course involving research and critical analysis of literature and other resources on a topic let that is new to them. This is being led by a PHD tutor who is an expert in their field of research.
The Year 8 scholars are studying ‘Why was there a French Revolution?’ whilst Year 10 scholars are following a course on ‘Rap, Racism and Resistance’.
During their introductory tutorials students learned about the topic they are to study, as well as taking part in ice breakers to get to know other students in their groups.
Year 10s shared an artist they would have lunch with and what they would ask them: “If I could have lunch with one artist, it would be Lady Gaga as I find her really inspirational… after being bullied, she told her monsters to keep going! I would ask her if she would prefer a normal life or the life which she has?” (Zahraa).“
The Year 8s were asked what they would buy if they had £1000. Answers ranged from buying new tech (Yousof) to a shopping spree with friends (Ruwayda). Scholars were then introduced to the first content of their course and have already submitted their first assignment. Congratulations to all students who were selected for the programme and we wish you all the best of success with the rest of your course!!
Ms Piras-McEvoy and the Year 8 and Year 10 teams.
