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66 Fifth, Lower and Upper Sixth students joined four members of staff from the Economics Department as they debated the latest data on the impact of COVID-19.
Students posed challenging questions on the various impacts of COVID-19, from the rise of protectionism, the importance of global institutions, and the extent to which the austerity policy of the previous decade in the UK has contributed to the crisis. Opposing views were aired in an open and thought-provoking debate. On Friday Upper Sixth student Sven B will lead a discussion on the cause and impact of the dramatic fall in oil prices, whilst next Tuesday eight Upper Sixth IB students, drawing on their own personal experiences of lockdown in different countries, are hosting a debate on the global consequences of different international responses,
Mr Whitworth led a discussion on the different types of political power with 45 Fourth Form pupils, where a quick Kahoot quiz encouraged students to reflect and think about their understanding of hard and soft power – and how it can be used for both good and bad. Questions revealed an excellent understanding of the role of government and a good appreciation of the consequences of power imbalance in terms of poverty and social provision. Students were encouraged to reflect on political ideology in terms of economic left and right, weighing up the importance of state intervention versus free markets, as well as reflecting on the benefits of a more authoritarian versus libertarian approach.
