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
We were delighted to welcome Dr Joel Smith, senior lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Manchester, to the Aquinas Theology department last week. He delivered a lecture entitled ‘are we free?’ and focussed on the thoughts of existentialist philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre. Our students engaged in a discussion at the end which was critical and […]
The Lower sixth A level Drama and Theatre studies went to the Bolton Octagon for a morning showing of Animal Farm. The play tells the story of the downtrodden animals of Manor Farm overthrowing their master and taking over. They imagine it is the beginning of a life of freedom and equality for all.
As part of the Jubilee Year celebrations our students had the opportunity to visit the College chapel to see a book of 1st class and 2nd class relics which we were lucky to borrow from neighbouring Xaverian College.
Lower six Photography students were invited on a tour of the Underbank and an opportunity to see photographs from Stockport’s archive both photographs and maps. The students have been asked to capture images that evoke & reflect the theme of ‘Lenses through time’. Looking into the rich history of Stockport’s Underbanks, in comparison to modern […]
