Brilliant Weymouth students had an inspiring day when they visited one of the UK’s leading universities.

Year 9 students from the Wey Valley School in Weymouth visited Exeter University to kick off their induction to ‘the Brilliant Club’.

The Brilliant Club is an award-winning charity which aims to increase the number of pupils from under-represented backgrounds progressing to highly-selective universities by mobilising the PhD community to share its expertise with state schools.

The launch trip included academic tutorials with a PhD tutor, independent advice and guidance sessions, a guided tour of the university campus and study skill sessions to help them explore wider academic careers.

Stephen Richards, Wey Valley’s head of humanities said: “It has been an excellent day with some great lecture and study skill programmes. The students found the tour really useful and a real insight into university life and the fantastic facilities available.”

A university lecturer will visit Wey Valley for a number of group work sessions and to help students develop dissertations and theories on a history and religious education based programme.

Student, Archie Myatt said the day had been “really interesting” and the pupils now had homework and additional studies to complete ahead of the lecturer’s visit.

Students will return to a leading university later in the year to receive further study sessions and a graduation ceremony on the completion of the project.