Providing Extra Challenge for our Students
Targeted at providing extra challenge for our students, the Aspire programme here at Altrincham College involves students who have already demonstrated high levels of academic attainment and those students who display a real talent and aptitude for a particular subject.
Aspire brings these students together to experience a 'stretch and challenge' opportunities programme across each year group, with the aim of ensuring our students access the very top GCSE and A Level grades and develop highly ambitious aspirations for the future.
The programme will offer many opportunities for students, including; university events both in and out of school, university campus visits and study skills events which specifically focus on achieving top GCSE grades.
Furthermore, students will participate in a ‘cultural challenge’ during their own time, which aims to develop confidence and allow students to gain new exciting and challenging experiences.
For further information about our Sixth Form's Aspire 6 group, please download and read the guide at the bottom of this page.
THE BRILLIANT CLUB
We are proud to be part of the Brilliant Club!
The Brilliant Club charity supports students to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to progress to the country’s most competitive universities and succeed when they get there. By bringing together two communities – PhD researchers and students – who might otherwise never interact with each other, young people can study innovative and inspiring topics.
In July 2025 we celebrated the success of our first cohort of students to graduate from ‘The Brilliant Club.’
The hard-working Year 10 students produced a challenging university-style essay exploring future vaccines. They were encouraged to think and work independently across seven tutorials with a subject expert PhD researcher from the University of Manchester. During the programme, they learnt about the history and science of vaccines and then completed a challenging final essay which was given a university-level grade.
Upon completion of the course, our students commented:
"It felt very encouraging to pursue a more academic approach to life and maybe go to university in the future.”
“Now that I have experienced what it is like to be graded at university, I feel confident that I will do well if I work hard.”
“It made me feel proud and accomplished of what I had done.”
Congratulations Amy P!
Amy P was part of our first cohort of students who took part in The Brilliant Club programme in 2025 and her final assignment, focusing on vaccines, was of such exceptional quality that it was selected for publication in The Scholar – an academic journal that celebrates the very best work submitted nationally through the programme.
Amy’s work received a '1st' classification, and it stood out even further by being one of just 30 assignments chosen for publication across the entire country. Her work was reviewed by a panel of PhD researchers and selected based on academic merit and originality. Read Amy's full assignment here (page 27).
This is an incredible accolade and a real testament to Amy’s talent and hard work. Well done Amy!
ACHIEVE HIGH
Our Achieve High programme, which celebrates and recognises those students who demonstrate excellence within and beyond the classroom, was launched in November. Staff nominate a student who has demonstrated one or more of our school's excellence criteria and then a draw is conducted deciding the winner. The winning student receives a certificate and a small prize when their name is announced every Friday in recognition of their excellent work and conduct.
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Exceed expectations in classwork and homework tasks
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Be highly motivated and seek challenge
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Actively listen and make valuable contributions
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Show independency and be proactive
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Work collaboratively and support others
MAKE YOUR MARK
Year 10 Study Skills Programme delivered by The Brilliant Club
Eight, very lucky year 10 students have been invited to participate in a 10-week study skills programme led by PhD tutors from Arden University. The national programme, led by the very successful Brilliant club, targeted a small group of students who have shown potential and promise in pursuing academic study. The weekly sessions focus on learning about and adopting proven study skills that will help support students across a range of subjects, not just in Maths and English.
This is the first time we’ve run the programme, which follows on from a similar programme delivered by the Brilliant Club last year. Some of the year 11 ‘Brilliant Club’ students met with the current year 10 ‘Make Your Mark’ students to share their experiences and the increased confidence, knowledge and ability they now have to study effectively. The ‘Make your Mark’ programme finishes with a trip, for all students who complete the programme, to a celebration event at Arden University later this year. We look forward to celebrating their success.
Key Stage 5 and Year 11 ‘Learning to Learn’ Programme
We are very excited to announce that a select number of year 12 and 13 students who have excellent study experience and attainment, were chosen and then trained by Head of 6th Form, Mr Mahmood to tutor a group of year 11 students during one weekly form period this term.
The programme, led by year 12 student leaders Amy C and Gabriel D, is designed around a valuable study skills resource that our KS5 students have first-hand experience of, to guide, inspire and support year 11 students as they prepare for their summer exams. Our KS5 students have been able to share their first-hand experience of what is required to excel in academic study and are kindly passing on this valuable experience supported by proven strategies.
A big “thank-you” to the year 12 and 13 students who have embraced this opportunity and benefited themselves from developing tutor skills ready for their next steps at university or employment.
University of Oxford Talks
Every year, students enjoy a stimulating visit from Dr Leal, an academic from Brasenose College at the University of Oxford, who talks to students about how to make a successful application to the most competitive universities. He also delivers workshops and debates as well as sharing some insight into interview preparation at Oxford. We are very lucky to have him. Thank you Dr Leal!
Inspired by Dr Leal’s workshop, student Harriet entered the University of Oxford's 2023 “Big Oxplore” essay competition and won the Year 10-13 category! Read her winning entry here.
ACHIEVE HIGH
Ambition | Belief | Inclusion | Community | Aspiration