Villiers Park Hastings Scholars celebrate a year of achievement

sjr90 — Wed, 10 Jul 2013 12:00:20 +0000

̽��ֱ��Scholars Programme works with able local students from disadvantaged backgrounds, helping them develop a passion for learning, reach their full academic potential and raise their aspiration - all of which was in evidence during the celebration event.

During the evening Scholars from Years 10 to 13 talked movingly about their experiences over the last year and how they have influenced them both academically and personally. 74 Scholars who achieved the Gold Standard received certificates of achievement. ̽��ֱ��Gold Standard is a new initiative introduced this year to recognise the attainment, attitude, manners, contribution, attendance and progress of Scholars during the academic year.

Gold Standard Scholars from each year group who had demonstrated exemplary Gold Standard qualities were shortlisted for the Mike Baker Scholar of the Year Award. ̽��ֱ��winners, as announced by the Mayor, were:-

• Russell Reid (William Parker Sports College) for Year 10;
• Fern Pattinson ( ̽��ֱ��Hastings Academy) for Year 11,
• Jack Doherty (Bexhill College) for Year 12 and
• Hayley Graham (Sussex Coast College) for Year 13.

Around 140 people attended the event including Scholars from Bexhill College, Helenswood School, Parkwood Sixth Form, Sussex Coast College, ̽��ֱ��Hastings Academy, ̽��ֱ��St Leonards Academy and William Parker Sports College, their families, the Mayor of Hastings Councillor Alan Roberts, Jon Beard (Director of Undergraduate Recruitment at the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge), school and college staff, Villiers Park staff and Trustees.

According to Theresa Phillips, Principal at ̽��ֱ��Hastings Academy, the Scholars Programme has had a positive impact not just on the Scholars themselves but on the whole school’s ethos, culture and attainment. “During the four years that we have worked in partnership with Villiers Park Educational Trust the school has progressed from ‘special measure’ to a recent ‘good’ Ofsted inspection,” she explained.

By the end of the evening everyone in the room had been inspired by the Scholars, touched by their presentations and proud of all of their achievements.

Jon Beard, Director of Undergraduate Recruitment for the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge, who attended the event, said “ ̽��ֱ��students involved in the Scholars Programme are clearly thriving. That is in no small part due to the commitment of Villiers Park, Hastings schools, and their collective determination to put student success at the heart of everything they do. I am delighted that the ̽��ֱ�� can be involved in such a positive initiative.”

Richard Gould, Chief Executive at Villiers Park Educational Trust, added “We were delighted to be able to celebrate this year’s progress with so many Scholars, their families and staff from their schools. ̽��ֱ��involvement of the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge will be an added incentive for the young people to aspire for excellence”

Photo (left to right): Richard Gould (Chief Executive, Villiers Park Educational Trust), Councillor Alan Roberts (Mayor of Hastings), Hayley Graham, Jack Doherty, Fern Pattinson and Russell Reid.

̽��ֱ��Mayor of Hastings joined Scholars from the Villiers Park Educational Trust Scholars Programme for an evening of celebration hosted by Hastings Academy. ̽��ֱ��Hastings Scholars Programme is sponsored by the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge as part of the collegiate ̽��ֱ��’s commitment to encouraging able students from backgrounds under-represented in Higher Education to aspire to university.

Mike Barker Scholar of the Year Award Winners

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Cambridge ̽��ֱ�� to sponsor Villiers Park Scholars Programme in Hastings

sjr90 — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:29:25 +0000

̽��ֱ�� academics have contributed informally to the work of Villiers Park Educational Trust for many years. A philanthropic donation has now enabled the ̽��ֱ�� to sponsor the Villiers Park Scholars Programme in Hastings until 2015-2016.

̽��ֱ��four-year scheme is free for Scholars and runs from Year 10 to Year 13, including on-going mentoring, residential courses at Villiers Park, university masterclasses, workshops and online study resources. In addition, Villiers Park works with their teachers to help develop everyday classroom practice that challenges and inspires.

Villiers Park has been running the programme since 2009 in Hastings and in Swindon, two areas where very small numbers of young people remain in education to university level. Only 21% of Hastings and 24% of Swindon students progressed to higher education compared to a national average of 35% according to the Higher Education Funding Council Polar 3 Report, 2010-2011. ̽��ֱ��Scholars Programme sets out to eliminate this differential through helping Scholars to fulfil their academic potential and aim high in their university choices.

Hayley, who is currently in her last year of the programme in Hastings said it has had “an almost life-changing impact on all parts of my life. I became so much more confident, I felt truly motivated for the first time in my life to go out there, prove people wrong and better myself.”

Jon Beard, Director of Undergraduate Recruitment at the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge, said “ ̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� is committed to encouraging young people to look beyond their immediate circumstances and aim as high as their academic ability can take them.

“ ̽��ֱ��Hastings Scholars Programme engages the most able students in an area of low aspiration in a sustained programme which could make a real difference to their future choices and success.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to explore the impact of such work on applications to selective universities with Villiers Park.”

Richard Gould, Chief Executive of Villiers Park Educational Trust, said “We are delighted to be working with the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge to support young people with high academic potential from disadvantaged backgrounds. ̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ��’s support is enabling us to continue working with all secondary schools and colleges in the Hastings area where the Scholars Programme has already had an impact on raising aspirations and enabling the students to reach their full academic potential. In August 2012 77% of the students achieved A-level grades A* - B and 76% gained a place at university.”

̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge and national education charity Villiers Park Educational Trust, which is based in Cambridgeshire, are developing stronger links to encourage able students from backgrounds under-represented in Higher Education to aspire to university.

We are delighted to be working with the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge to support young people with high academic potential from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Richard Gould, Chief Executive of Villiers Park Educational Trust

Y12 Hastings Scholars enjoying their residential course at Villiers Park in January

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̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge - Villiers Park Educational Trust

Villiers Park Hastings Scholars celebrate a year of achievement

Cambridge ̽��ֱ�� to sponsor Villiers Park Scholars Programme in Hastings