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On Saturday, our Academic Scholars immersed themselves in a packed programme of debates and talks spanning economics, politics, science, philosophy and technology. In a single day, they heard Martin Wolf on the future of the AI economy, Louis Theroux on the online world, Michael Gove and Leo Varadkar debating the power of Big Tech, Kishore Mahbubani challenging Western assumptions about global power, and Sabine Hossenfelder, Antony Valentini and Philip Ball debating the strange implications of quantum physics and the nature of reality.
The value of the day lay not simply in the range of ideas, but in the way pupils were challenged to engage with them. Sessions pushed Scholars beyond familiar subject boundaries, exposed them to competing viewpoints and showed how rigorous debate can involve genuine disagreement without becoming disagreeable. Just as importantly, pupils were encouraged to follow their own intellectual interests, question assumptions and leave with better questions than they arrived with.
For Lucas, Fifth Form Academic Scholar, that challenge came through hearing Kishore Mahbubani:
“Being challenged is exactly what I came for. I strongly disagreed with Kishore Mahbubani at first, but realised that for some of his arguments I did not yet have a convincing rebuttal. It was refreshing to have my assumptions genuinely tested.”
That willingness to test one’s own assumptions was echoed by Elisa, Lower Sixth Academic Scholar, who deliberately chose a session outside her usual academic experience:
“I went to The Sacred and the Supernatural knowing very little about theology, but wanting to push myself beyond my normal academic curriculum. I left without a definitive answer, but with better questions and a greater willingness to examine my own assumptions.”
The range of disciplines also encouraged pupils to make connections between subjects. For Raghav, Lower Sixth Academic Scholar, a session on quantum physics unexpectedly opened up a much broader line of enquiry:
“The discussion of quantum physics unexpectedly led me into questions about philosophy, mathematics and the nature of knowledge. I found myself carrying those ideas with me as I moved between completely different disciplines throughout the day.”
Others were particularly struck by the quality of the debates themselves. Eleanora, Fourth Form Academic Scholar, reflected:
“The debates were the highlight for me. I loved hearing highly informed people present very different opinions and seeing how they argued and responded to one another.”
The festival also gave pupils the confidence to pursue their own interests beyond the formal sessions. Camilla, Lower Sixth Academic Scholar, was able to speak directly with one of the speakers after a talk:
“The range of topics and speakers meant I could explore both subjects I already cared about and ideas I knew very little about. A particular highlight was discussing an issue I am passionate about directly with one of the speakers; it has inspired me to pursue the subject further through my own research.”
Mrs Amanda Campion, Director of Academic Extension, reflected:
“The pupils were outstanding ambassadors for the College throughout the day. They listened attentively, took thoughtful notes, asked perceptive questions and continued debating the sessions over lunch and between events. Most importantly, they did not leave simply with more information; they left with new questions, unsettled assumptions and ideas they wanted to pursue further.”
