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Brilliant teenagers have graduated from a Cambridge University project.

A group of 12 Year 9 students from Burnt Mill Academy were selected to take part in the Brilliant Club.

The university access charity’s mission is to increase the number of young people from under-represented backgrounds attending highly selective universities.

Having completed a research project with a PHD tutor, which was given a university style grading, students attended a graduation ceremony at the university.

Five students achieved a first in their assignments.

Assistant headteacher Erkan Ustura, Brilliant Club lead, said: “All of our students did fantastically well.

“The course aims to develop critical-thing, problem-solving and improve ethical reasoning skills. Students were asked to critically review scientific literature, present scientific posters and take part in active debates surrounding case studies, just as a researcher would.

“Students then completed a final assignment of 2,000 words, entitled Future of Genomic Technologies. Every one of the Year 9s tackled their final assignment with determination and all passed with at least a 2:1 or 2:2 grade.

“It is hoped this experience will spur them on to applying to highly selective universities – like Cambridge – in future.”