The opportunity to learn what is expected of study at university, from a doctorate student at the University of Manchester, has been too good to miss for a group of high achieving students. Over several months they experienced university-style lectures, seminars and one-to-one tutorials, wrote short essays on a range of subjects, leading on to a 2000-word dissertation.
The team worked closely with Dr Rathi Ravindrarajah, whose specialist research has examined the needs of elderly people in the UK.
The work our students carried out introduced them to what is expected of university learning. Assignment writing went alongside dissertation preparation, and the importance of correctly referencing work.
All this is organised by a nationwide charity call the Brilliant Club. Twelve students were put forward to take part, with the aim to better equip them to succeed at Russell Group universities, the leading research led bodies in the country. Students develop the knowledge, skills and ambition that will help them to secure places and thrive at some of the top places of learning.
Being part of the programme also gave the students the chance to travel to Cambridge university to sample student life at first hand. Lead Gifted & Talented Teacher Miss Arnold said, “The students have done an excellent job throughout the programme, at the same time as carrying on with their GCSE studies, and sitting their pre-public exams.”
The students agreed that taking part would be a help in being university-ready, but also will benefit them ahead of applying for sixth form colleges. One wrote “It was good to learn how to do extended writing on specific topics, and implement references.”
The Cambridge trip in particular proved popular. Students across the school benefit from successful links with higher education well in advance of having to apply. The school will continue to develop these links so that students are fully aware of all the options available to them both post-16 and post 18.
