Sixth form students achieve degree standard grades

Six diligent and dedicated students from Leeds Sixth Form College are celebrating their outstanding results after achieving high grades in the The Scholars Programme.

The programme gives pupils aged 9-17 from schools and colleges in the UK the opportunity to work with a PhD researcher across a range of disciplines  including science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), arts and humanities and social sciences.  

The 12-week course also helps students develop knowledge, skills and confidence to progress to the most competitive universities in the country.

Students, Alifa Rahman and Muhao Mwangala attained first class honours in a STEM subject, while Mujib Osmani and Grace Tingay attained a lower second class. Humanities students, Mila Appleby and Qasim Hussein also achieved high honours.

To launch the Autumn term, students attended a series of live, online events with university partners such as Bath University, Exeter University and University of Bristol, among others. 

The live events introduced pupils to the programme and gave them a taster of student life at one of the most competitive universities.

Graduation event at University of Exeter

Students took part in a remote graduation event with the University of Exeter to celebrate their achievements. The event included a welcome from The Brilliant Club, and a session led by the university of X, to give pupils further information, advice and guidance.

Dr. Elisabeth Protopapa,Head of Academic Studies in Leeds Sixth Form College, said: “This is another fantastic year for our students who have really applied themselves to the additional work required to successfully complete the programme. 

“I am proud of them as they persevered through a very challenging time to complete the final elements of the project remotely, following  lockdown. They all rose to the challenge and I have no doubt that they will go on to achieve great things at university and in their chosen careers.

“The scholars programme is a well-known and respected initiative across the education sector. It is highly sought after by Russell Group universities as it recognises and celebrates students for having the right academic approach for continuing their studies at degree level and beyond.”

Dr Lawson, Programme Officer for the scholars programme, said: “The final assignment is supposed to be challenging, being pitched at a level above where the students are currently working at in college. We recognise that this academic year has continued to present challenges for schools and colleges, and so we are particularly pleased that the students were able to submit their assignments and do so well.”

More than 200 researchers across the UK worked with over 4,000 pupils in 263 schools to deliver the programme this academic year.