The Scholars Programme - Key Stage 3&4

Organiser: The Brilliant Club

When

What

The Scholars Programme provides Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 pupils with an inspiring experience of university-style learning beyond the curriculum, through seven tutorials taught by a PhD tutor and a trip to a competitive university

The Scholars Programme gives students in secondary school the opportunity to explore higher education and build key skills to help them succeed in the next stages of their education. We work with students in Years 7-8 on our Key Stage 3 placements, and Years 9-10 on our Key Stage 4 placements.

Students take part in a series of seven university-style tutorials, delivered in-school by a PhD tutor throughout the course of an academic term. The tutorials are based on the tutor’s area of research expertise, so pupils explore an inspiring, supra-curricular topic whilst developing key academic skills that support their attainment across the curriculum. Students receive feedback and support from their PhD tutor to write a final assignment of 1,500-2000 words, demonstrating the subject knowledge, written communication and critical thinking skills they have developed throughout the programme.

On completion of the programme, students visit a university for a Graduation Event to celebrate their achievements and build their understanding of higher education, helping them make informed choices in the future and believe that they can succeed in university-style learning.

As a university access charity, we work with the students who most benefit from the support of our programmes. We require that at least 55% of the students registered on the programme meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Eligible for Pupil Premium
• No parental history of higher education
• Deprivation according to postcode: IDACI 1-4.

What does The Scholars Programme offer pupils?

• Your younger students will get an inspiring academic experience to set expectations high at the start of their time in secondary school and support with the transition from primary school by focusing on independent learning skills.
• Older students will have the opportunity to explore post-16 pathways as they select their GCSE options and consider their future options.
• Students will get to explore life and learning at competitive universities through the university- style tutorials and the Graduation Event.
• Students will develop their independent learning, essay writing, discussion, research and critical thinking skills through the series of tutorials.

Is there a cost?

The school contribution is £2,779 per placement. This cost is subsidised through contributions from our university partners and external grants and donations.

“The Brilliant Club experience is a very mind changing opportunity in my opinion. It has helped me understand in much more magnified detail the step by step ways to complete a university assignment. The PhD tutor was great teaching me about the topic."

- KS4 student, Harrow