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Warwick Sutton Scholars
A guide for applicants and their families
What is the Warwick Sutton Scholars programme?
Warwick Sutton Scholars is a two year programme for highly able Year 8 students from nonselective
state schools across the West Midlands. Delivered by the Widening Participation and Outreach Team
at the University of Warwick in partnership with the Sutton Trust, and supported by the Wolfson
Foundation, the programme is designed to stretch and challenge you academically and inspire you to
consider university in the future.
Over the course of a term you will attend a series of sessions at the University (primarily on a
Saturday and during school holidays). Each session will cover a variety of academic subjects that will
feed into the project you will have been assigned to at the beginning of the programme. You will
explore the theme of the project through taster lectures, workshops and guest speakers. It’s not all
work though as throughout the programme we will be running exciting, interactive workshops
supported by our current Warwick students. Our aim is for you to develop the key skills required for
you to succeed at school and university. Every student will be assigned a Warwick student mentor
who will support them through the programme, in person, in school and through an online portal,
which will include free membership to IGGY. At the end of each on campus event you will be asked to
complete a short written assignment, for example a short piece of creative writing or an essay about a
topic from the day. You will receive feedback on your written assignments from your mentors to help
you develop your writing skills, and prizes will be awarded for the best homework assignments.
Students will then be invited to join a continuation programme in Year 9, which includes a residential
summer school in 2016. The Year 9 programme has a strong focus on developing core academic
skills, including writing, independent research, critical thinking and public speaking.
What is IGGY?
IGGY is a no fee global educational social network designed to help gifted and talented young
people aged 13-18 realise their full potential. They’re part of the University of Warwick so their
members have access to great educational resources and get to work with top academics and
other gifted and talented young people around the world. Members can create their own profiles,
make friends and collaborate internationally. They're helping create a great site for gifted and
talented young people to exchange ideas, debate, learn and explore in a safe environment.
Who can apply?
The Warwick Sutton Scholars programme is open to highly able students (in the top 10% of ability
nationally), who come from backgrounds that are under-represented in higher education.
Academic criteria - students must meet several of these:
o Students recognised as gifted and talented or highly able by their school
o Students whose end of primary Key Stage 2 sub level test results in Maths,
Reading and Writing demonstrated high ability
o Students whose most current teacher assessments of sub levels for English,
Maths and Science demonstrate high ability
o Students who have the potential to achieve five or more A*s and As at GCSE
o Students who receive a strong academic reference from their teachers
Application process
Your school will have received the application forms. Students applying for the programme are required
to complete parts A and B of the application form. Part C is for a parent/carer to complete and sign.
Once these sections have been completed the lead contact teacher at your school is required to
provide an academic reference for every student who wishes to join the programme. When you and
your parent/carer has completed all of the sections please return the form to the teacher who gave it to
you. The school will then take responsibility for returning all of the completed application forms to the
University of Warwick.
Please note, not all students who apply are guaranteed a place. We will prioritise applicants who are
the closest match for our academic and social criteria.
The deadline for your school to return the application form to the University of Warwick is
Friday 13 February
We will contact you by email and letter to confirm if you have a place on the programme by
week commencing 23 February.
If you have any questions about applying for the Warwick Sutton Scholars programme, please email
suttonscholars@warwick.ac.uk or call Laura Fisher on 02476 151947