High Achievers Programme

The High Achievers Programme offers an opportunity for students to fully realise their academic and personal potential in a supportive, challenging, and dynamic environment.

Students who join the High Acheivers Programme will be provided with the resources, opportunities, and guidance necessary to ensure success not just in college, but in their future careers and university or degree apprenticeship pursuits.

What does the programme involve?

Term 1 - Personal Mastery

With a focus on personal development, confidence, and leadership, the first term includes:

Goal-setting and personal development workshops
Leadership and teamwork challenges
Developing strategies to manage stress and exam pressure
Mindfulness and wellbeing sessions
Reflection and check-ins with programme leader

Term 2 - Academic Mastery

Students undertake a flagship project applying their academic interests to a real-world challenge, including:

Designing and leading an independent or group project
Research, critical thinking, and problem-solving
Applying subject knowledge beyond the classroom
Developing leadership, initiative, and collaboration skills
Preparing a high-quality outcome for the end-of-year showcase

Term 3 - Mastery in Action

The final term focuses on academic stretch and preparation for competitive pathways, including:

Academic workshops and masterclasses
University-style lectures and subject enrichment
Developing academic writing and presentation skills
Preparation for competitive courses and interviews
Support with personal statements and application

Benefits of the programme:

Advanced academic support

Enrichment and super-curricular activities

Exclusive opportunities

Thrive and balance activities

Personal development and leadership opportunities

Entry requirements:

The High Achievers Programme is open to all students who demonstrate outstanding academic potential and a strong commitment to their studies across any subject area or specialism.

Entry will be based on:

A proven track record of academic excellence (e.g., 7 GCSE grade 7 or equivalent)
A personal statement outlining the student’s academic and extracurricular interests, as well as their reasons for wanting to join the programme
Motivation and passion - a strong desire to pursue deeper knowledge and mastery
A recommendation from previous secondary school
A willingness to engage in super curricular activities and leadership opportunities

*Home-schooled students will be invited to an informal discussion with Hartlepool Sixth Form College staff about their predicted GCSE grades and to explore how the High Achiever's Programme can be tailored to their studies.

Apply to a course to get involved

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