The Brilliant Club – Scholars’ Programme

We have been running the Brilliant Club programme with students since 2018. Sadly, our placements have been delayed and cancelled several times since March 2020 so we have been delighted that we have finally been able to run a Key Stage Three and Key Stage Four placement this half-term.

The programme aims to widen access to university for outstanding pupils in non-selective state schools. Twelve students in Year 10, six students in Year 9 and six students in Year 8 were selected to take part, with the aim of encouraging them to think about going to university in the future.

Students participated in a virtual launch in May. As part of this session, the students participated in a study skills session. They were given information, advice and guidance about applying to university and what university life is like. Key Stage Four students were given a taste of life at Queens College, University of Cambridge while Key Stage Three students were given an insight into life at Leeds University. Both groups had the chance to meet and ask questions of current students.

From May to June, the students were involved in weekly tutorials with their tutors. Year 10 have been working with Kelly Hatley, developing their creative writing and critical analysis skills by looking at the horror-comedy genre while Year 8 and 9 have been working with Katie Faulkner following an art history course looking at power, personality and portraiture.  The students were asked to complete an assignment on their topic area and have received individual support and feedback on their written work. This assignment was marked using degree level criteria and mark schemes.

The tutors came into school in July to feedback to students on their assignments and let them know whether they had passed. Their graduation ceremonies took place in school after this. These were a great opportunity to celebrate their achievements and reflective on what they had learnt during the process. Many have commented that it has given them the confidence and self-belief to think they could go to university in the future.

Congratulations to the following students for their work on the programme:

• Year 10: Oliver MacDonald, Mia Brumfield, Anna Garvey, Alex Matei, Felicity Carnell, Jacob Waggah, Chloe Rushton, Josh Mitchell, Sam Ansell, Libbi Brown, Meghann Mitchell, Leah Wiseman
• Year 9: Maria Sandu, Maria Makaza, Piper Cheshire, Jack Sambucci, Bobbi Jones, Sola Famurewa
• Year 8: Olivia Biggs, Tammy-Faith O’Hara, Catherine Gill, Pulitha Wijesinghe, Andreea Cojocaru, Krystal Pietra

Below are some fantastic examples of the creative writing pieces that some of the Year 10 students have produced. I am sure you would agree that they have produced excellent work which clearly shows their humour and imagination. Enjoy!

Miss Welsh

Associate Assistant Headteacher