University skills from Year 10 students

“Why do I need justice anyway?” This is the question that twelve of our Year 10 students will consider, discuss and write about over the coming months. They are taking on this task as they take part in The Scholars’ Programme, a project that recruits, trains and places university staff in schools to deliver university-style tutorials.

The students made the trip to a snowy Liverpool John Moores University for this year’s launch event. They will work with Stephane Osborne, a solicitor who is currently studying for his PhD. During the project the students will take part in seven tutorials and then write a 2000 word dissertation. They will also visit two universities. This all leads to a graduation ceremony in May.

Award winning university access charity The Brilliant Club organises The Scholars Programme, which involves over 700 schools and 38 universities. Information from UCAS shows that students who complete The Scholars Programme were far more likely to apply to, receive an offer from and progress to a leading university.

University visits raise students’ horizons

Through the course of the year our students have many opportunities to visit universities across the country. Together with learning visits to Oxford and Cambridge, many students also take part in the Manchester Gateways programme, which offers different, appropriate activities for each of the five year groups.

Visiting any higher education facility is a chance to discover more about student life and the amazing opportunities that studying for a degree offers. In the past year we have been proud to take our students to the University of Central Lancashire, Huddersfield University, Edge Hill University, Liverpool John Moores University and on many separate occasions, the University of Manchester.