HIGH school students are celebrating an early ‘university’ graduation after taking part in a pioneering scheme.

Aspiring teenagers studied nights and at weekends to become ‘junior university’ graduates as part of a new scheme at the University of Central Lancashire.

The six month motivational programme at the University of Central Lancashire saw the 14 and 15-year-olds study a raft of additional academic subjects.

More than 125 youngsters took workshops in subjects including forensic anthropology, games design, physics, policing, nursing, languages, education, tourism, criminology and sociology, marketing and sport.

The Year 10 high school pupils donned their caps and gowns in front of their proud families and friends after completing the scheme.

Louise Oldfield, a co-ordinator of the UCLan JU team, said: “It’s been another great year for the JU.

"The students have been motivated and engaged from the very first session in February and have got involved in every aspect of the programme and have really enjoyed seeing what’s available if they choose to go to university.”

Participating schools included West Craven High Technology College, Colne Park High School, Colne Primet High School, St John Fisher and Thomas More Catholic College, Pendle Vale College, Shuttleworth College, Marsden Heights Community College, Blessed Trinity RC College, Sir John Thursby Community College and Unity College, Burnley.

The teenagers also took part a range of social activities and team building exercises, including a command day at Fulwood Barracks, in Preston.

The junior university scheme is now in its third year at UCLan and is aimed at encouraging young people to consider higher education when the time comes.