BRIGHT sparks have ignited their academic ambitions after taking part in a national university scholar’s programme.

Students from Eldon Grove Academy, Hartlepool, have graduated from The Brilliant Club, an education charity which aims to widen access to higher education.

The charity, which works with schools across the country, helps to stretch pupils academically by boosting their skills and ambitions and encouraging them to think about attending university in the future.

Eldon Grove Academy head, Audrey Brahimi said: “This is the second year that Eldon Grove Academy has taken part in The Brilliant Club programme which helps to raise aspirations in our students. It is all about planting seeds for the future.”

Twelve year six students graduating from the club are Cassie Gray, Navila Azad, Liam Rennie, Harry Johnson-Clark, Penny Dixon, Gracie Hope, Amelia Connelly, Ryan Duong, Hudson Wales, Kayla Brown, Becky Brown and Kristian Burnett.

They worked with a PhD tutor over six tutorial sessions before each was tasked with writing a 1,000 word essay about a healthy heart.

Pupil Penny Dixon, ten, of Hartlepool, who received a distinction for her essay, said: “I was very happy to be selected to take part in The Brilliant Club.

“I now know that I want to go to university in the future where I can have fun but also learn lots of new things too.”