Greg visited Mascalls Academy in Paddock Wood to find out more about The Scholars Programme – a national scheme which gives school pupils from under-represented backgrounds an opportunity to experience university-style learning and encourage them to apply to university.
The programme recruits, trains and places PhD researchers in non-selective state schools to deliver university-style tutorials based on their own research to small groups of pupils. The young people taking part also receive information, advice and guidance about university life and making a successful application.
Greg said:
"It was great to visit Mascalls Academy today and meet pupils taking part in The Scholars Programme. They were very enthusiastic about the subject they have been studying and I was really impressed by how the programme has expanded their horizons in terms of their future plans.
"I would definitely encourage more schools to give their pupils the chance to benefit from this programme."
The Scholars Programme is run by The Brilliant Club - a charity that exists to increase the number of pupils from under-represented backgrounds progressing to highly-selective universities. More details can be found on their website: http://www.thebrilliantclub.org/