Future Scholars Programme
The Future Scholars Programme initiative runs across Future Academies and is designed to inspire and support high‑achieving students from early secondary school through to Sixth Form. The programme nurtures ambition, academic excellence and confidence, helping students gain access to top universities, elite apprenticeships and competitive career pathways.
Through carefully chosen academic enrichment, early and sustained university engagement and expert guidance, Future Scholars are equipped with the knowledge, skills and self‑belief needed to thrive in highly selective academic and professional environments.
Our partners include universities like Oxford, Cambridge, UCL and Imperial and organisations that push academic growth and curiosity like The Brilliant Club and opportunities through Unifrog.
The Programme at FAW
Scholars at Future Academies Watford are identified early in the academic year in Years 8–10 through a combination of assessment data and professional teacher judgement. These students meet fortnightly during form time to deepen their super‑curricular understanding and nurture a genuine passion for their subject beyond the classroom curriculum. Sessions are led by experienced educators, mentors, and academic partners who provide high expectations alongside personalised support, enabling scholars to thrive academically and intellectually.
University visits, academic experiences and aspiration‑raising have been supported by the Gregson Scholarship from the University of Oxford’s Balliol College, the link college for Hertfordshire schools. This generous support has enabled our students to access world‑class academic environments and establish strong Oxbridge foundations for the Future Scholars pathway.
Future Scholars Highlights
This section reflects key milestones in the Future Scholars journey and is updated regularly as new opportunities and experiences are added.
Summer Term 2024
University of Essex Visit – Year 10 (21 June 2024)
Year 10 students took part in subject‑specific academic sessions and campus exploration at the University of Essex. The visit supported informed decision‑making about GCSE performance, post‑16 pathways and future university options.
University College London Visit – Year 8 (3 July 2024)
Year 8 students visited UCL to experience a leading Russell Group university early in their secondary education. Campus tours, academic activities and engagement with student ambassadors helped normalise higher education and build early aspiration.
Autumn Term 2024
Royal Holloway, University of London Visit – Year 9
Students explored the historic Founder’s Building, attended a mini‑lecture and spoke with undergraduates. This visit introduced university‑style learning and strengthened confidence in accessing higher education.
Get Into Medicine Conference
Aspiring medics explored medical ethics, real case studies and admissions guidance, helping to demystify a highly competitive pathway and reinforce the importance of academic excellence in Science and Maths.
New Scientist Live (Selected Students)
Students engaged with cutting‑edge research across STEM disciplines, broadening horizons and encouraging ambition towards scientific study and careers.
Spring Term 2025
The Brilliant Club Scholars Programme – Years 9 and 12
Selected students completed university‑style academic study with PhD tutors, developing advanced reading, critical thinking and academic writing skills. Students produced a final assessed assignment exploring “Is there a new cure for blood clots?”
Brilliant Club Graduation – Jesus College, University of Oxford (19 May 2025)
Students graduated in a formal ceremony at Jesus College, Oxford, celebrating their academic achievement in a world‑leading university setting and strengthening confidence and academic identity.
 |
 |
Summer Term 2025
University College London Visit – Year 8 (18 June 2025)
A new cohort of Year 8 students visited University College London to experience a leading Russell Group university first‑hand. The visit introduced students to academic environments through campus exploration and structured activities, helping to build confidence and early familiarity with university life.
University College London Visit – Year 7 (9 July 2025)
Year 7 students experienced an early introduction to university life, ensuring aspiration‑raising begins from the very start of secondary school.
Balliol College, University of Oxford – Discovery Programme (Year 10)
Twenty Year 10 students were selected for Balliol College’s Discovery Programme, an academically rigorous initiative supporting high‑potential students. Participants engaged with Oxford‑style learning, academic skills development and collegiate life, strengthening readiness for elite university pathways.
Autumn Term 2025
Future Scholars Programme Launch – Structured Pathways (Years 8–10)
The Future Scholars Programme formally launched as a structured pathway, building on strong foundations established through earlier scholarship‑supported work. Students were introduced to clear, progressive academic routes designed to support ambition, planning and access to competitive futures.
Ms Gardner and Mr Matthews welcome the new Future Scholars cohort at the beginning of the year.
- Introduction to Unifrog:
Students across Years 8–10 were introduced to Unifrog, a comprehensive careers and destinations platform. Through guided use, students began exploring university pathways, apprenticeships and career options, learning how subjects link to future opportunities and developing the habit of long‑term academic and career planning. - Step into the NHS Competition (Years 8 and 9):
Year 8 and Year 9 students are currently participating in the Step into the NHS Competition, researching healthcare roles, identifying real‑world health challenges and designing innovative solutions. The project develops teamwork, research, problem‑solving and presentation skills while providing early insight into professional careers. - Oxplore Academic Debate (Year 10):
Year 10 students are preparing a structured academic debate using Oxplore, the University of Oxford’s outreach platform. By exploring the question “Do aliens exist?”, students engage with scientific, philosophical and ethical perspectives, developing critical reasoning, academic reading and confident discussion skills.
Spring Term 2026
The Brilliant Club Scholars Programme – Years 9 and 12
A new cohort began university‑style academic study with a PhD tutor, focusing on the theme “Gender and Peace”, developing intellectual independence, academic confidence and advanced writing skills.
Students visited Gonville & Caius College and the Whipple Museum of the History of Science, experiencing an elite academic environment and strengthening confidence in accessing highly selective universities.
 |
 |
Holocaust Education Visit to Watford Synagogue
Students from Years 9, 10 and Sixth Form participated in a powerful Holocaust education visit to Watford Synagogue. During the visit, students explored Jewish faith and identity, engaged with Holocaust educational resources, and had the increasingly rare opportunity to hear testimony from a Holocaust Survivor.
The experience deepened students’ understanding of the Holocaust and its enduring significance, while encouraging reflection, empathy and cultural awareness. Students were praised for their maturity, respect and engagement throughout the day, with organisers describing them as “a credit to the school”. The visit formed part of the school’s commitment to providing meaningful educational experiences that broaden perspectives and enrich learning beyond the classroom.
Summer Term 2026
Future Academies Watford Celebrates Scholars Programme Success at Oxford
On 20 May, Future Academies Watford celebrated the achievements of twenty-six Brilliant Club graduates
The graduation ceremony at Jesus College, Oxford, gave students the chance to reflect on their learning and future students—fourteen in Year 12 and twelve in Year 9—who graduated from The Scholars Programme at the University of Oxford.
During the programme, students took part in seven tutorials led by PhD researchers, developing independent thinking and academic skills. Year 9 students studied Gender and Peace, while Year 12 students explored The Geography of Sexuality Education. Each student completed a challenging final essay, assessed at university level.
Run by The Brilliant Club, The Scholars Programme supports students across the UK to develop the skills and confidence needed for competitive universities. It also provides a unique opportunity for students to engage with expert researchers and explore topics beyond the school curriculum.
Michael (Year 12) reflected: “This course has changed the way I view education… It has strengthened my interest in thinking critically about the world around me”. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and thank The Brilliant Club for providing such a valuable experience.
 |
 |
 |
Balliol College, University of Oxford – Discovery Programme (Year 10)
For the second consecutive year, ten Year 10 students participated in and successfully completed Balliol College’s Discovery Programme, an academically rigorous initiative designed to support high-potential learners. Participants engaged with Oxford-style teaching, academic skills development and collegiate life, gaining valuable insight into higher education and strengthening their aspirations and readiness for competitive university pathways.
Science Museum & Imperial College London Trip (Year 10)
Our recent trip to the Science Museum and Imperial College London was a fantastic success. Students were a real credit to the school, demonstrating excellent behaviour, enthusiasm, and curiosity throughout the day.
At the Science Museum, students explored a range of inspiring galleries, including those focused on energy, space, engineering, technology, and medicine, helping to bring their learning to life and spark interest in STEM pathways.
At Imperial College London, students experienced an informative and engaging campus tour delivered by student ambassadors. This provided valuable insight into university life, academic opportunities, and future aspirations, and was a highlight of the visit.
Overall, the trip was an enriching and inspiring experience that encouraged students to think ambitiously about their futures.
KS3 Future Scholars Visit - British Library & Wellcome Collection
Students had an excellent day exploring how humans understand life, belief and identity through a guided walking tour and museum visits.
Beginning at Euston, students reflected at the War Memorial to fallen railway workers, before learning about the history of Somers Town and how industrial growth created both opportunity and inequality.
At the British Library, students viewed highlights from the Treasures Gallery, including the Magna Carta, Shakespeare’s works, and William Tyndale’s English translation of the Bible, alongside other significant texts such as the Lindisfarne Gospels and the Diamond Sutra. They also enjoyed seeing cultural artefacts like handwritten Beatles lyrics, helping them understand how ideas about law, belief and culture have developed across time.
On the walk to Tavistock Square, students observed St Pancras Church, considering why societies borrow ideas from past civilisations. They then reflected on peace, remembrance and conscientious objection in Tavistock Square, with a memorable photo opportunity by the Gandhi statue.
The tour continued inside the Quaker Meeting House in Euston, where students explored silent worship and beliefs about equality, before contrasting this with Jeremy Bentham’s reason-based approach to ethics, seeing his preserved body at UCL.
At the Wellcome Collection, the Being Human and Coming of Age exhibitions prompted thoughtful discussions on health, identity and ageing.
Students were a credit to the school throughout, showing curiosity, maturity and excellent engagement with complex ideas.
Celebrating Student Success in Future Scholars Programme
To celebrate the achievements of students within the Future Scholars Programme, a group of selected students were invited to the House of Lords at Parliament. Representing the school were James Williams (Year 9), Peter Hughes (Year 9), Joseph Payne (Year 9), and Hannah Appleby (Year 12), all of whom have shown exceptional commitment and progress.
The visit began with a warm welcome in the Atley Room, where students enjoyed afternoon tea, including sandwiches and cakes, and had the opportunity to meet fellow Future Scholars from across the trust in a relaxed setting.
A particular highlight was the recognition of some of our Year 9 Brilliant Club students, whose assignments on Gender and Peace have been featured in the Future Scholars magazine - an excellent achievement reflecting their academic effort and ambition.
Students also met Lord Nash, engaging in meaningful conversations about their experiences and aspirations. After connecting with students from other schools, they confidently exchanged ideas and shared their journeys.
James Williams delivered an outstanding speech with confidence and thoughtfulness. Both Mrs Nolan, the accompanying teacher, and I were incredibly proud of him. Following his speech, Lord Nash personally spoke with James, recognising his contribution.
The event concluded with closing remarks from Lord Nash, celebrating the success of the students and the future promise of the programme.
Although travelling to and from Parliament in the heat proved challenging, the day was truly memorable - a fitting celebration of student success and aspiration.
This year, a number of our KS3 students took part in the Step into the NHS Competition, a national careers initiative that introduces young people to the wide range of careers available within the NHS.
Students were challenged to create a job advertisement for an NHS role of their choice, researching the skills, qualifications, and responsibilities required. The competition encouraged students to develop their creativity, research, and communication skills while exploring future career opportunities.
We were particularly impressed by the work produced by Luciana Lupu, Callie Levy, and Tilly Bryden, whose hard work and enthusiasm were a credit to the school. We were also delighted to receive a certificate and a letter of thanks from the competition organisers in recognition of our school's participation.
A huge well done to all students who took part and represented the school so positively.
Looking Ahead
The Future Scholars Programme continues to grow, with new academic opportunities, university partnerships and enrichment experiences added each term. This page will be updated regularly to reflect students’ ongoing journey.
In Summary
The Future Scholars Programme empowers high‑achieving students with the knowledge, confidence and support needed to achieve ambitious academic and career goals. With strong early support and a clearly structured pathway now in place, Future Academies Watford is proud to provide a programme that opens doors and prepares students to succeed at the highest levels.
