Oasis Academy Leesbrook celebrates 11 Year 9 students graduating from 'Brilliant' prestigious university access programme
Date published: 14 May 2025
The 11 Year 9 students from Oasis Academy Leesbrook are pictured
Students at Oasis Academy Leesbrook in the heart of Oldham are celebrating a major milestone as 11 Year 9 students successfully complete The Scholars Programme - an inspiring initiative run by the national education charity The Brilliant Club.
Over the course of several weeks, the students took part in a series of university-style tutorials led by a PhD researcher.
Together, they explored the topic of ‘Can texts fight colonialism?’
This developed their ability to think critically, express complex ideas, and work independently.
The programme culminated in a final assignment; an extended essay that was assessed using university-level standards.
The Scholars Programme offers young people the chance to experience academic learning beyond the classroom.
It’s designed to develop the knowledge, confidence, and skills that support long-term success, not only at school, but also at university and beyond.
By connecting students with researchers and introducing them to topics usually taught only at degree level, the programme helps to broaden horizons and raise aspirations.
At Oasis Academy Leesbrook the experience has been transformative.
Students have grown in confidence, expanded their understanding of what higher education can offer, and achieved something they can be truly proud of.
Research shows that those who take part in the Scholars Programme are significantly more likely to progress to a competitive university, including students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Ayaan, one of the participating students, said: “It helped me to learn in a professional manner, preparing me for college and university style essays.”
Miss J Grundy reflected on the impact of the programme, adding: “This experience has been invaluable to both the students and to the academy as we look to develop experiences for our high achieving students.
"It has undoubtedly pushed this group of students to seriously consider what they can achieve in the future and has given them motivation to strive towards university.”
The Scholar’s Programme has been a valuable opportunity for students to challenge themselves, explore new ideas, and take meaningful steps towards their future goals.
Susie Whigham, Interim CEO at The Brilliant Club, congratulated the pupils on their achievements.
She said: “Congratulations to these outstanding students as they graduate from The Scholars Programme.
"They join a community of over 90,000 young people who have taken part in The Brilliant Club since 2011.
“Completing their final assignments was no doubt challenging, but it has shown that these students have a passion for learning and the knowledge to produce university-style work already.
"I hope they use these new skills throughout their education and continue their fantastic work.”
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