News

Masterclass paves the way to A-level success

(6 August 2004)

Some of the brightest lower sixth form students from schools across the North East are now on track to achieve the highest grades in their A-level exams in 2005 thanks to the Sutton Trust and the University of Durham.

A total of 191 students have completed the five-day residential part of the highly successful Masterclass Programme at the University of Durham.

The students attended the residential course, which was based at Collingwood College 11th-15th July, and will attend two follow-up revision sessions in December 2004 and March 2005 in final preparation for their A-levels.

The Masterclass Programme links Year 12 students to an undergraduate student who acts as their mentor during their final year at school.

The Programme started as a one-day pilot session two years ago and after a four-day residential in 2003 a fifth day was added this year.

Priority is given to students where neither parent went to university.

Students followed one of 11 subjects and experienced three days of academic studies and social activities, including a murder mystery night, a formal college dinner and a night at the Durham Students Union.

The subject strands were Biology, Economics, English, French, Geography, Law, Politics, Physics, Maths, Medicine and Religious studies.

Liz Hern, Masterclass Director at the University of Durham, said : "It is always regarded as a measure of overall success of summer school activity if, as on this occasion we have no homesick students! Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the university experience. Masterclass is an excellent way for students to explore the academic and social elements, as well as providing a great boost to an individual's confidence."

The Masterclass Programme is sponsored by the Sutton Trust, the Ogden Trust, Tees Valley Partnership, and One NorthEast. The programme is in line with the Government's Aim Higher initiative, to get 50 per cent more students into higher education by 2010.

Dr. Tessa Stone of the Sutton Trust attended the Masterclass formal dinner and was very impressed with the feedback from students and their progress. She said : "It was very noticeable just how much the students applied themselves to their studies and how well they responded to the overall experience."

Media enquiries to : Tom Fennelly, Public Relations Officer, University of Durham, Tel 0191 334 6078 or e-mail : t.p.fennelly@durham.ac.uk