Scholars Programme
The Scholar’s Programme The aim of the programme is to extend student engagement and attainment across subjects and year levels, providing students with opportunities to develop their knowledge, interest and capabilities in the subjects of greatest interest to them. Students sign up to the subjects that interest them hopefully allowing them to expand their passions. As scholars is open to all year groups students also have the opportunity to experience subjects offered at KS4 or KS5.
Each subject area has a project that follows the same format: A research task, engagement activity such as joining a club, entering a competition or for sixth formers volunteering in lessons.
The next part of the project is 'share'. This is a chance for students to showcase what they have been up to. It could be an article for the Mo, a social media post, or something for the newsletter. The final task is evaluation which encourages students to reflect on their work, knowledge, skills and set targets for the future.
Each subject area has also provided a reading/media list for their subject. These books, websites, videos and podcasts are great starting points for students to explore.
Students who complete the scholars' projects will get the opportunity to be invited to workshops, visits or activities in the summer term in recognition of their endeavour.
Please click on the links below in order to see examples of what some of our scholars got up to over the last few years.
drama scholars stage combat workshop
Squire Stage Combat Workshop
On 19th June, Drama Scholars from across all year groups came together for a special workshop that offered a deeper look into an exciting and often overlooked aspect of theatre: stage combat. Led by Mark from Squire Stage Combat, the session gave students a unique opportunity to step into the world of professional fight choreography.
With a focus on physical storytelling, timing, and trust, the day was not only highly engaging but also shed light on the skills required behind the scenes of stage and screen action, Milo, Clark and Shaf share their thoughts on the day below.
"Recently, we took part in a drama scholars workshop with Mark, from Squire Stage Combat. He was brilliant and it was very cool having him in to teach." 
"It was a really fun day, which started off with learning to perform hand-to-hand combat. This was really interesting to learn about, since we learnt how to punch and kick, but without hurting ourselves. This was very fun and started the day off well."
"In the afternoon, we learnt how to fight with swords. This was probably the highlight of the day – it was something new to us all, and it really showed how much effort goes into doing combat as an actor. We learnt many types of attacks that we could use, how to hold a sword properly, and how to hit. This was very hard but very rewarding." 
"We did a performance to wrap it all up, including all of the things we had learned by performing the opening scene from Romeo and Juliet as a whole group."
"We finished it off with a Q&A about Mark’s career as a stunt man and fight director. This was a really enjoyable experience, we learned a lot and we are very glad we participated. Thank you to the Drama department, and to Mark for making this happen."
Milo Sydenham, Shaf Phillips and Clark van Huet - Year 9
Science Scholars Bayfordbury Observatory Trip
As part of our Science Scholars enrichment, students had the chance to visit Bayfordbury Observatory for an immersive experience in real-world astronomy.
The day was split into three sessions; one of the highlights was meeting working astrophysicisits who started the day with a talk about space mission and the future of space. Students got to answer and ask lots of questions about how future missions would work.
After lunch there was a planetarium show where we talked about our solar system and the stars visible in our sky. Then we went to look at the solar telescopes and explored how they operate and learned about the advanced systems used to track and study the Sun. Students also got a behind-the-scenes look at some of the software tools scientists use in daily research.
The students had a lovely time and were really engaged with all the activities. They liked being in a place where actual space research happened
The visit sparked curiosity and enthusiasm, giving students a deeper appreciation of the science behind space exploration and the tools that make it possible.
Ms Leinster
"On Monday the 7th of July, at 11:20, members of Science Scholars went to the Bayfordbury Observatory. We went in the school mini bus and spent most of the day there doing lots of fun and interesting activities. We had a discussion about space and some of the missions space companies have gone on and what they are planning on doing. The tour guides also showed us one of the sightings of the SpaceX rocket launch of Falcon 9’s rocket exhaust! Then we had lunch in the cafeteria before going back upstairs to see different constellations in space like our zodiac signs and other famous ones such as the Cassiopeia. We also went outside to see the different types of telescopes used - there were some that were used with computers and others that were used physically. We each had a go moving the telescopes and choosing somewhere for it to point to. Everything was so interesting and I now know things that I never knew about astronomy. My favourite part of the day was seeing the different constellations and learning about the history of some of them and why we have our zodiac signs. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to go on this trip with scholars and learnt more about astronomy. Thank you to the teachers that made it possible!"
Esme Goldbrom - Year 8
ART scholars
Art Scholars were given the task to research a portrait artist that they really like.
"Try and do a self portrait in the style of this artist. Be inspired by their technique or by their ideas or by both. Present on A3 paper or canvas.
EXAMPLE PIECE
ISA CLEMENTS
aRT sCHOLARS
Create a Film on a toilet roll! Choose a character or scene from a movie and make a well painted and beautifully considered mini artwork
drama scholars 2023/24
In the summer term our Drama Scholars were given the opportunity to attend a day in London all about Drama and Theatre.
Students visited the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden for an incredibly informative backstage tour, where they got to see rehearsals in progress as well as entering the auditorium.
After a quick packed lunch in Covent Garden whilst admiring the street performers the students took part in a 90 minute workshop from the musical Wicked with a member of the cast who also happily held a Q&A session with the students about their career afterwards.
We then had dinner before heading to the Apollo Victoria Theatre to watch Wicked and just to top off the day a selection of the students were able to go backstage and meet the actors playing Elphaba and Glinda.
The students had a brilliant time:
"It was lovely to see what I could do with my drama once I leave Marlborough",
"My ambition is to be on the West End stage and today has been phenomenal",
"I didn't realise how many jobs were on offer backstage, it has made me think about what I can do next",
"Today has been the best day, I have loved every minute",
"Everything has been great but I have really enjoyed being with the older students who are also passionate about Drama and performing, and finding out what they did when they were in Year 8 -they were really kind".
Sky Studios - drama
Drama and Film Studies Scholars visited Sky Studios for their Sky Up experience. Students had the opportunity to tour some of the spaces and look into the recording studios. They also worked in small groups to create their own film trailers. They explored shot length, use of green screen as well as the impact of music and adding dialogue.
The day also educated students about different careers at Sky and students were able to ask about ways into the industry and were introduced to Sky Early careers programme.
A brilliant creative day.
scholars pizza parties
At the end of the year scholars in each subject were invited to a lunchtime pizza party, this was a great opportunity for students across year groups with a passion for the subject to meet and discuss ideas and explore possible events for the next academic year.
It was brilliant to have this student voice input to help us build and develop the scholars' opportunities as we progress into the second year of the programme.