The Brilliant Club

Posted at 10:18 am on 21st November, 2017

University programme supports Wellacre students' higher education aspirations

Annually, Wellacre Academy selects a group of Year 8 and 9 students to take part in a scholar's programme called 'The Brilliant Club'.

The programme supports students across the UK to develop knowledge, skills and ambition to progress to highly selective universities and thrive once there.

Students are invited on a launch trip to Liverpool University before they participate in a 6-week programme of lectures at school from a University of Manchester PhD tutor.  Working with their tutor, students researched the subject of the 'French Revolution' and then independently completed a 1,500 word assignment.

On Saturday 14th October students, teachers, parents and carers were invited to The Brilliant Club graduation ceremony held at the University of Manchester.

Wellacre’s Brilliant Club co-ordinator and Assistant Leader of Creative Technologies, Miss Niebel, said:

“It was an informative day and a delight to see proud parents and carers celebrating their son's success with the completion of the programme.”

Students achieved some outstanding results with Alex Spence-McMorris, Nicholas Anderson, Louis Howard, James Samuel and Jack Kelly all achieving First Class honours.

Alice Stefanelli, the University of Manchester student PhD tutor, said:

“It was a pleasure to  deliver the Scholar Programme Placement at Wellacre Academy. The school and lead teacher were very welcoming and I enjoyed visiting them every week. Students were also a pleasure to work with: they were lively but respectful, questioned the different ideas we discussed with a critical spirit and gave proof of having a lively mind, interested in the world around them. I am more than sure that they can all achieve whatever goal they might set their hearts on."

The Brilliant Club has developed student confidence, aspiration and increased commitment to independent learning. It has provided students with the opportunity to experience life beyond school and, in turn, helped them to actively work towards achieving success to progress into further education.  

Miss Niebel, adds:

“I am immensely proud of all their successes this year and wish them the best of luck with their future studies.”