MP Praises Students on Scholars Programme

Local MP Desmond Swayne visited Year 8 students last week to hear about their progress and achievements as part of The Scholars Programme.

This programme is a prestigious national scheme which gives students an opportunity to experience university-style learning. The aim is to recruit, train and place PhD researchers in non-selective state schools to deliver university-style tutorials based on their own research to small groups of students.

The twelve students who are taking part in the programme are studying a course entitled Biology – Disease Detectives with their tutor Ahmed Salman from the University of Southampton.

Students will also have the opportunity to visit two highly-selective universities, where they will receive information, advice and guidance about university life and making a successful university application.

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 per cent of students who complete the programme go on to attend a highly-selective university.

Desmond Swayne, MP for New Forest West said, “It was great to visit Arnewood School today and meet students taking part in The Scholars Programme. I was very impressed with how they engaged in such a complex and challenging academic topic. It just goes to show what young people from New Forest West can achieve if we give them the opportunity. I wish the students the very best for the future and I encourage more schools to give their students the chance to benefit from this programme.”

Mrs Fiona Nation, Lead Teacher and Deputy Head of Humanities said, “I was delighted to meet with Desmond Swayne to show him the work students are doing in The Scholars Programme. I’m very proud of the achievements of our students who are participating and I am excited to see how their participation inspires their study and university choices.”