Brilliant Club Virtual Graduation Ceremony

Posted at 10:57 am on 4th May, 2021

Celebrating Wellacre Scholars

Wellacre's Scholars Programme accomplishments were celebrated yesterday at a virtual graduation ceremony on Tuesday 27th April, hosted by The Brilliant Club and the University of Manchester. 

  

Wellacre students joined over 1,000 primary and secondary school students all over the UK and Northern Ireland for a ceremony of certificate presentations, keynote speakers including hearing from students, and a university Q&A session. 

The special event was organised in recognition of the outstanding successes of all the students taking part in the Scholars Programme and celebrated their hard work and determination to complete the course despite the difficult circumstances.

In November, Wellacre's new cohort of Year 8 and 9 Brilliant Club students embarked on the university experience programme to study Literary Theory with a PhD tutor before completing a final written 1,500 word assignment.  Their brief was to write a literary analysis of an extract using a literary theory of their choice, evaluating its usefulness for studying literature.

Year 9 Nicky, Wellacre’s SpokeScholar, shared his experience:

“There were highs, such as getting a taste of what will come at university, as well as challenges!  It was difficult, at first, to understand the texts of the course, but I learnt so much and it has really helped me in my English lessons.”

Nicky then went on to read an extract from his First class award final assignment. 

Fellow Year 9 student Harrison, added:

“I really enjoyed working with the PhD tutor, especially focusing on The Caged Bird poem.  I was really proud of my final assignment grade.

At the event, Wellacre students were applauded for their incredible efforts.  Year 9 students George, Nicky, Harrison and Year 8 Alex achieved a 1st in their final assessment and Year 8 Jacob received a 2:2 award.

Mr Pemberton, Vice Principal, Welfare and Wellbeing, said:

“These are the best Brilliant Club results we have ever seen at Wellacre, and it was wonderful to have the opportunity to show our pride in these students.  

“Our PhD tutor feedback was exceptional; our boys were congratulated on their commitment, collaboration and learning.  We were her favourite school to visit because of how engaged our students were and the interesting discussions they generated in session.”

The event ended with an information and guidance session where students met and heard from University of Manchester ambassadors.  They shared their university journeys and answered questions to offer an inspirational taste of graduate life and their courses.