Urban Scholars

The Urban Scholars’ Intervention Programme (USIP), a Saturday school for up to 60 gifted and talented state school students from the fringe boroughs, now in its third year, is one of the most significant Outreach activities at City, who host ten sessions over the academic year at the school. The Programme uses a staff and support team drawn from all Consortium schools whilst Sixth Form students from City and partner schools act as mentors. The Programme has received exceptionally favourable independent evaluations with powerful and tangible evidence that it has achieved its aims in enabling gifted young women to improve their aspirations and academic performance.

USIP is a Programme focused on raising aspirations and attainment by providing a safe and supportive environment for both students and teachers where it is ‘cool to be clever’ and free expression is encouraged. Interventions, whether academic or attitudinal, are significant within USIP and the high degree of interaction between students and tutors is a factor in its success. Students cannot hide away in the background.

Class sizes are small (typically 14-16) and assistant tutors and learning mentors provide a focus on learning, opportunity and risk-taking. School on Saturdays is distinct from school during the week; the atmosphere is more relaxed as students study three core disciplines – creativity, critical thinking and problem solving within real-world situations.

The Programme promotes excellent cross-cultural mixing and integration of students and staff from different backgrounds, bringing together students from Bangladeshi, Turkish, Eastern European, English, Caribbean and African backgrounds to provide an eclectic mix, while promoting cooperation, consideration, engagement and effective communication. Students are encouraged to aspire to the challenges of college and university. They experience challenge coupled with support and the experiences help build confidence and self-esteem.