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.
University of Oxford Talk 2023
In March, students enjoyed a stimulating visit from Dr Leal, an academic from Brasenose College at the University of Oxford, who spoke to Year 11 and Year 12’s about how to make a successful application to the most competitive universities. He then delivered a bespoke workshop to our ‘Aspire 6’ Year 12 students, where he led a debate on the ethics of gender selection, as well as sharing some insight into interview preparation at Oxford.

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.

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University of Oxford Talk - 2022

A number of students from the Aspire 6 team, visited Altrincham Grammar School for Boys in January for an exciting presentation by the University of Oxford. The presentation focused on progression to Higher Education and Oxford and how this might be accessed. There was Q&A session with a current Oxford student and a ‘virtual tour’ of Corpus Christi College.
Students interested in finding out more information about the University of Oxford should view the 'Oxford Explained' presentation at the bottom of this page. This information is correct as of February 2022. For full and up-to-date information, please visit: www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate
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
Y10 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 ran 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.
KS5 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.

Ambition | Belief | Inclusion | Community | Aspiration


