Scholars

The Lower School: 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By the Upper Fifth, these lessons have been replaced by evening meetings three or four times a term, with pupils discussing a wide variety of topical issues with both members of Common Room and visitors to the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 just war, consumer law, how money makes the world go round, the world of advertising, freedom and responsibilty of the press and the nature of iconic design.
The Sixth Form: In the Lower Sixth meetings continue to occur in the evenings. After introductions by members of Common Room to the idea of ‘Conflict’ in such areas as reproductive ethics, the war on terror, climate change and artistic freedom, the Scholars themselves, in small groups, have recently taken the initiative and researched, introduced and chaired debates on similar issues: cloning, memes, censorship, Guantanamo Bay, creationism, science as a force for good or evil, and control orders. In the audience - and joining in - have been not only Scholars but also members of Common Room and other interested Sixth Formers.

In the Upper Sixth there is a regular series of visiting speakers, whom Scholars meet beforehand and with whom, in turn, they dine afterwards. Recent discussions include: conflict resolution, whether science has replaced God, celibacy and the priesthood, the nature of leadership, the future of the BBC, Pascal's Wager, advances in neuroscience, the House of Lords, the culture and politics of Afghanistan, the Gospels as a basis for faith and the science of morality.
Music and Art Scholars: Music and Art Scholarships are well established. All such Scholars are under the aegis of the Master of the Scholars, and though their everyday contact will normally be with their Heads of Department, they also take part in any activities of the Academic Scholars which are relevant or in which they express an interest, as well as meeting as groups in their own right.

Entry procedures for Scholarships and Eric Abbott awards are set out in detail in our 13+ admissions.
The Purvis Society: The Purvis Society Lent Term 2011

Upper Sixth

Thu 3 Mar                Dr Simon Gathercole, Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge
                              "The Gospels as a Basis for Faith?”

Tue 15 Mar     Dr Eleanor Grant, Balliol College, Oxford
                               “Is Evil Innate? : the Science of Morality”



Lower Sixth

Mon 31 Jan              Emma Wallis (LVI) and team
                              "Science: its potential to kill or to cure"

Thu 17 Feb              Chloe Allison (LVI) and team
                              "Control Orders"

Thu 3 Mar                Dr Simon Gathercole, Robinson College, Cambridge
                              "The Gospels as a Basis for Faith”

Tue 15 Mar     Dr Eleanor Grant, Balliol College, Oxford
                               “Is Evil Innate? : the Science of Morality”

Upper Fifth

Thu 20 Jan                    DIA (Design Dept)

Mon 7 Feb                     ELHM     (ALT)

Mon 28 Feb                    Mr Richard Connell    (L6)

Lower Fifth

First Half of Term                STC    Friday lunchtime   (Redgrave Room)

Second Half of Term            RHGJ Friday lunchtime    (Redgrave Room)

Fourth Form

First Half of Term                  PAMcN    Monday lunchtime   (Art Studio)

Second Half of Term             VAH      Monday lunchtime   (Williams Library)

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Scholars

The Purvis Society Lent Term 2011

Upper Sixth

Lower Sixth

Upper Fifth

Lower Fifth

Fourth Form