COMPLETING a university style project has inspired young students to strive for further education.
Year 9 and Year 10 students from Burnt Mill Academy, took part in The Brilliant Club programme.

The scheme aims to inspire young people to raise their aspirations of attending university and further education.

As part of the scheme, nine students were challenged to complete a 2,000-word essay on the topic of depreciation.

Their work was marked and given a university style grading.

Talha Mughal, second in science, said: “These students had the opportunity to learn about a subject not taught in general secondary school via the Brilliant Club. A PhD scholar delivered six sessions about depreciation, what it means and how to quantify it. They looked at depreciation in relation to property and land, as well as other factors.

“They were then tasked with writing a university style essay about depreciation and given a grade as if it was a university essay. A lot of students had never written an essay like this; it was the longest essay they had ever written about a topic they had only just learned about. They had to research literature using newly found tools and had to reference it in university style.

“The students greatly enjoyed this experience and, for some, it really cemented the idea of going to university.”

Students achieved grades of 2:1 and 2:2.

To celebrate their achievements, the group visited Oxford University for a graduation ceremony where they received certificates and a tour of the campus.