High Achievers Programme
A rewarding High Achievers Programme
The High Achievers Programme here at Aquinas College is a study programme designed to support our most able students to achieve their academic ambitions and make aspirational choices, whilst also encouraging a greater degree of cultural awareness and increasing levels of social engagement/activism.
Applicants who will be invited to join the scheme will have excellent entry qualifications, usually with a G-Score of 8 or above (which equates to a grade 8 average across their GCSE subjects).
The scheme is primarily designed to help students to excel in their studies here at Aquinas. It will also prepare them for life after Aquinas, helping them progress to the UK’s most prestigious universities, and will give them the skills necessary to build a successful and rewarding career.
We will offer opportunities to those who meet the criteria for other ‘widening participation’ schemes such as the Cambridge HE+ program and Nuffield Research Placements.
All of these offer alternatives to the EPQ in terms of research-based projects which can help with university applications and career development.
We have built a programme that is as interesting and wide-ranging as it can possibly be, whilst at the same time encouraging students to aspire to the best universities and then the most rewarding careers available.
- Provide sessions focused on academic study skills and on developing transferable critical skills.
- Encourage students to take an Extended Project Qualification (or equivalent) to complement students’ qualifications.
- Prepare students for university entrance and for any applications, interviews, or entry tests/exams that may be required.
- Broaden students’ cultural and academic horizons so that they have a wider appreciation of all that life has to offer with trips and visits to a variety of academic and cultural destinations.
- Run rich and varied sessions – some led by influential academics, others involving group discussion and project management.
- We will also be encouraging a greater degree of cultural awareness and increased levels of social engagement/activism.
- Offer volunteering and charity opportunities which will be supported by the college Chaplain and outside agencies.
- We want to support activism and campaigning opportunities, working alongside Aquinas Citizens and the Aquinas Student Union.
- Encourage students to undertake work experience, placements or internships, in conjunction with the Careers team and departmental teams.
- We have an excellent set of activities and resources that have been curated for you to access during your time on the programme.
Latest From Aquinas
In February, 29 students and 4 staff went on a trip of a lifetime to Mumbai to work with the children at the Prem Dan Garden school and also the girls hostel. This was the 20th trip, which made it extra special.
Before the half term break, A level German students took part in an exchange trip to Lübeck, where they attended the Katharineum school. Being fully immersed in the language provided them with a valuable opportunity to enhance their listening skills.
Politics students recently visited a snowy Washington DC is support of their US Government and Politics studies. Perhaps the highlight of the trip was a visit to the New York Times’ Washington Bureau to meet with two of their senior journalists, Special Correspondent Elisabeth Bumiller and White House Correspondent, Zolan Kanno-Youngs.
This week the Head of Theology was invited into St Thomas More, Denton, to deliver a Theology A-Level taster session to their year 10 and year 11 pupils. The pupils studied miracles, and looked at different religious and non-religious definitions of a miracle. The St Thomas More pupils were polite, inquisitive and offered some very […]
