High Performers Programme

Our High Performers Programme offers ambitious, tailored support to help you succeed and progress to the most competitive universities and degree courses.

Through specialist guidance and opportunities, the programme will help you build confidence, break down barriers and give you the edge when taking your next steps.

Who can join?

If you achieve mainly grades 7, 8 and 9 at GCSE, you will be able to join our High Performers Programme. There are also opportunities to join later if you demonstrate high performance at College.

How will the programme support you?

The programme has three core elements, designed to develop your skills and strengthen your progression prospects.

• Specialist tutor group - You will join a tutor group based on your interests and aspirations, receiving specialist support alongside students with similar goals.
• Elevate - Take part in subject competitions, develop your critical thinking, discuss current issues with your peers and become a confident communicator.
• Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) or independent research project - Complete an EPQ or an independent research project on a topic of your choice, linked to your future study plans. This is an opportunity to explore a subject that interests you in greater depth.

Choose your pathway

In your first year, you will select a pathway that reflects your ambitions. Each offers tailored advice, guidance and opportunities to help you achieve your goals.

Oxbridge

Support for students aiming to study at Oxford or Cambridge includes:

• Visits to Oxford and Cambridge.
• Lectures from visiting Oxford and Cambridge speakers.
• Advice on choosing a college.
• One-to-one support with personal statements.
• Support from alumni.
• Practice interviews.

Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary (MDV)

Explore these careers and prepare for competitive applications through:

• Guidance on understanding the different job roles.
• Online and in-person talks from practising doctors, dentists and vets.
• Support with work experience.
• Opportunities to attend relevant lectures and hear from guest speakers.
• Entrance exam support sessions and practice.
• One-to-one support with personal statements.
• Practice interviews.

STEM

Prepare for a degree or employment in science, technology, engineering or maths through:

• Subject-specific competitions, such as the Physics Olympiad.
• STEM trips and speaker events.
• The opportunity to achieve the IRIS Project award.
• One-to-one support with personal statements.

Russell Group

Explore your university options and develop your interests through:

• An information event about Russell Group universities.
• Visits to Russell Group universities, including the University of Liverpool.
• Opportunities to enter subject-specific competitions, such as a Psychology Essay Competition or the Bar Mock competition.

Arts

Receive tailored support for competitive progression in the arts, including:

• Specialist guidance on applications, portfolios, auditions and interviews.
• One-to-one support with personal statements.
• Short courses or summer schools to help you prepare for auditions.

Degree apprenticeships

Explore degree apprenticeship opportunities and prepare for applications through:

• An interview with one of our trained careers advisers.
• An online talk linked to your apprenticeship area of interest.
• One-to-one support with personal statements.
• Help with work experience.