Personal Research Programme 2025-26
The Personal Research Programme (PRP) was introduced to help prepare our pupils not only for their GCSEs and A Levels, but for the wider world beyond school. In an increasingly fast-moving and competitive environment, academic qualifications remain essential, but they are no longer sufficient on their own. The PRP provides that additional dimension, equipping pupils with the skills and mindset needed to thrive at university, in the workplace, and beyond.
The PRP helps to uphold the spirit of the school motto, “dare to be wise”, by ensuring pupils are equipped with the broader skills they will need to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
On April 27th, 2026, the school held an event which celebrated the achievements of those pupils who were awarded a Starred Distinction in the PRP, as well as those recognised for exemplary performance in key aspects of the Programme: it was a fitting occasion to acknowledge their hard work, curiosity and commitment.
Dr James Hopkins, Head of Research Programmes and Academic Partnerships and Teacher of History at MGS, introduced the event, commenting: “GCSEs and A Levels are crucial to our pupils’ academic success, but in our rapidly evolving and highly competitive world, pupils today need an equally evolving set of skills to prepare them for their future and give them a competitive edge”.
“The Programme focuses on several set of skills. First, pupils have learnt to ask questions about the world, enabling them to identify gaps in knowledge and opportunities for problem-solving. Second, pupils have been equipped with the ability to answer their own questions: by finding trustworthy knowledge in an information-saturated world; by selecting and using methods that enable them to logically and coherently answer their question; and by planning and executing their project alongside competing pressures. Crucially, pupils were also taught to use AI not to offload their thinking, but to extend and enhance their capabilities, allowing them to focus their intellectual efforts on the more complex and interesting aspects of their project, whilst using AI as a research assistant.
“Third, pupils have been taught how to communicate their findings through extended writing and oral presentation, so that they can engage and convince others of their ideas. Finally, the PRP has taught the boys how to manage their personal development, enabling them to identify their strengths and capitalise on them, whilst acknowledging areas for development and working to improve them in a structured way”.
During the event, the audience heard three presentations from students that demonstrated the diversity of topics studied and the benefits the boys have gained from the Programme. Pupils were then awarded their certificates and prizes by the High Master.