Wednesday 9 May saw 123 Key Stage 4 and 5 pupils from across Greater Manchester arrive at The University of Manchester, accompanied by approximately 120 parents/carers and teachers to celebrate graduating The Scholars Programme.

The Scholars Programme is run by The Brilliant Club, an award-winning charity that is committed to building a movement that mobilises doctoral and postdoctoral researchers to help increase fair access.

The celebration event, in partnership with Greater Manchester Higher and The Brilliant Club celebrated the success of pupils in completing an academically challenging programme where they studied supra curricular topics with a PhD tutor based on their research. Topics included “Diabetes – it really does gets on your nerves” to “Can consent turn battery into a handshake”.

All pupils graduating the programme had to produce a 2,000 – 2,500 word assignment on their research topic, pitched at a Key Stage above their current level. Of the pupils invited to the Graduation Event, 61% achieved a 1^st or 2.1 in their assignment, meaning they are performing at an excellent or good standard at the Key Stage above where they are currently at. The hard work and dedication each pupil put into the programme was evident through the proud faces on pupils, parents and teachers throughout the evening!

Teachers attending the event thought the programme was “Inspirational, aspirational and motivating for all involved” and one student stated that the “graduation was an amazing experience and I look forward to other people graduating in the future”.

Parents and carers also thoroughly enjoyed the event and saw the value in the programme for their child “Great programme introducing higher level academic study to high school pupils. This allows them to get a feel for studying subjects to an advanced level.”