Gifted pupils from across UK come to Warwick for DUX award
Pupils and teachers from schools across the UK will visit the University of Warwick next week for a special open day as part of a new Government scheme to recognise top academic performance.
The tailored open day on June 11 is part of the Dux Awards, an initiative launched by the Department for Education to encourage and reward top performing Year 9 pupils. The University of Warwick is one of 20 Russell Group universities to host an event.
Warwick will host 67 Year 9 pupils and 35 teachers and the event will include academic taster sessions and the opportunity to talk to student ambassadors. All Dux pupils are also being given one year’s free membership of IGGY (The International Gateway for Gifted Youth).
IGGY is a global online education network for gifted 13-18 year olds, based at the University of Warwick. Members are offered high quality content and the opportunity to connect with other gifted students and top academics across the world.
Two of the students attending will be David Lomax and Alisha Hanif from Cardinal Newman Catholic School in Keresley, Coventry.
David said: “It's great to know that I'm being recognised for the good work I do in school.”
Alisha said: “It's nice to know that we have a choice about our future and that there's a wide range of opportunities before us.”
Assistant Headteacher at Cardinal Newman, Sarah Griffiths added: “As part of our Gifted and Talented programme here at Cardinal Newman we are delighted to work in close partnership with The University of Warwick to raise student aspirations and prepare them for a bright future.”
The event will include interactive taster sessions such as ‘The Octopus and the Bear: how do we know when a vaccine is working?’ from researchers at Warwick Medical School, and ‘Robots are coming out of the factory!’ from researchers at Warwick Manufacturing Group.
University of Warwick Vice Chancellor Professor Nigel Thrift said: “We are delighted to offer an opportunity to some of the top pupils in our local schools to get a taste of life at Warwick, one of the UK’s top 10 universities. We are also delighted to be able to give Dux pupils something extra special in the form of a year’s free membership of IGGY.”
Schools Minister Nick Gibb said: “I am delighted that so many schools are taking part in the Dux Awards as an opportunity to celebrate success and reward the achievements of their year 9 pupils.
“Pupils and teachers from all over the country are visiting some of the UK’s best universities so pupils can experience a taste of university life and see first-hand the opportunities available. The visits are intended not only to reward achievement but also to widen horizons and raise the ambitions of pupils who might not otherwise consider applying to some of this country’s most prestigious universities.”
Notes to editors
Pictures of David Lomax and Alisha Hanif are available to download:
To find out more about IGGY, visit their website.
For more information please contact Kelly Parkes-Harrison, Press and Communications Manager, University of Warwick, k.e.parkes@warwick.ac.uk, 02476 150868, 07824 540863