Kate Green MP visits Wellacre

Posted at 2:58 pm on 14th June, 2018

Local MP praises students getting a taste of university

Local MP Kate Green visited Year 8, 9 and 10 pupils at Wellacre to hear about their progress as part of The Scholars Programme - a prestigious national scheme which gives school pupils an opportunity to experience university-style learning. 

The programme recruits, trains and places PhD researchers in non-selective state schools to deliver university-style tutorials based on their own research to small groups of pupils.  

The pupils Kate Green met with are studying a course entitled 'History - Why was there a French Revolution?' with their tutor Joel Swann and Nuclear Power 'It's just a big radioactive kettle?' with Robert Worth.

As part of the programme, the pupils will also visit two highly-selective universities, where they receive information, advice and guidance about university life and making a successful university application. 

Kate Green MP said:

"It was great to visit Wellacre today and meet pupils taking part in The Scholars Programme.  I was very impressed at how they engaged with such a complex and challenging academic topic.  It just goes to show what young people from Stretford and Urmston can achieve if we give them the opportunity.  I wish the pupils the very best for the future, and I encourage more schools to give their pupils the chance to benefit from this programme."

Principal Miss Wicks said:

"I was delighted to meet with Kate Green and show her the work pupils are doing in The Scholars Programme.  I'm proud of the achievements of our pupils who are participating and am excited to see how their participation inspires their study and university choices."

The Scholars Programme is run by The Brilliant Club, an award-winning charity whose aim is to increase the number of students from under-represented backgrounds progressing to highly-selective universities.  An independent evaluation by the Universities and Colleges Application Services (UCAS) showed that nearly sixty percent of pupils who complete the programme go on to attend a highly-selective university.  For pupils on the programme who were eligible for free schools meals, 54% progressed to a highly-selective university, compared to a national rate of 12%.

Dr Chris Wilson, CEO of The Brilliant Club, said:

"In Britain today, there's an entrenched link between a young person's background and their chance of education success.  The Scholars Programme helps pupils develop the knowledge and skills necessary to fulfil their academic potential and secure places at highly-selective universities.  We're really grateful to Kate Green for taking the time to come and see the great work that our PhD tutors and partner schools are doing, and the amazing things pupils are achieving."