Scholars

In the Fourth Form, in addition to the normal timetable, Academic Scholars are taught as a group for courses that last for half a term and are made up of one session a week. The aim is to take them beyond the curriculum, teaching in a style designed to encourage debate and argument. Topics depend on the interests of the members of Common Room who teach them, and current courses include the nature and history of art, the concept of greatness, the current political landscape, and conspiracy theories.

The Lower Fifth meet for a working lunch once a week. They are encouraged to research and debate topics within such areas as science in society, the nature of the short story, the concept of ‘the quest’ in literature, and ethics in theory and practice. By the Upper Fifth, these lessons have been replaced by evening meetings four or five times a term, with pupils discussing a wide variety of topical issues with both members of Common Room and visitors to the School. Most recent areas covered include the value and future of the Olympic Games, consumer law, and how money makes the world go round, along with a series on artificial intelligence that included putting the Turing Test to the test.