On Monday 8th July, twelve Year 5 children travelled to Oxford for a very special event. They were the members of this year’s Brilliant Club, and the visit was for their graduation!

The Brilliant Club is a programme that places university researchers (PhD Tutors) in schools. who teach university-style tutorials to groups of six pupils. Many of these researchers are lecturers to students at university level, so it is a unique opportunity for children to experience university-style teaching. During the programme, pupils visit two leading universities, and at the end of the programme they complete a final assignment of 1,000 words which is marked and graded in the same way as a degree.

The launch trip was to Goldsmiths University, back in March, when the children were introduced to the programme and spent time with their tutor. Over the course of the next term, the tutor came into school and worked with the children on the topic “What is Fairness?” As well as having an hour’s tutorial each week, the children also had homework to complete, which all helped with the final assignment. At the end of June, the tutor came in for a final tutorial with the children, discussing their assignments and telling them their grades. Of course, all the children passed, and two even managed to achieve a first!

The graduation trip to Oxford was a fitting end to the programme. The morning was spent at St Anne’s college, where the children had a tour, and a mini-lecture from a member of the university staff. In the afternoon, we joined with other Newham schools for the graduation ceremony.

Everyone was very proud of their achievements, and glad that they had put in so much hard work during the programme. Well done Brilliant Club!