Enrichment

In Year 8, pupils have the opportunity to gain a new qualification called the iPQ which allows pupils to research the answer to a big question of their choice. This question can link into some of their topics at school but can also be something from outside of the curriculum, depending on their area of interest. In addition to learning more about the topic of their choice, they also have the opportunity to improve numerous different skills, from communicating with others to researching and presenting the material to an audience.

Each pupil has a Year 12 mentor with whom they meet weekly to discuss their progress and from whom they can seek advice about how to proceed with their project, in addition to having a staff mentor. The project runs from October until May, when students present their projects. Their project is assessed on a range of criteria and they are awarded either a pass, a merit, or a distinction. Past projects have included:

• How have video games evolved over time?
• Inequality between women’s and men’s football and how it can change.
• How video games use music to convey a sense of storytelling.
• Can you make clothes out of everyday items?
• To what extent are the effects of caffeine negative or harmful?

Every term, four or five lectures are organised for students of all ages in the Senior School. These sessions are held for half an hour at lunchtime and provide students with the opportunity to learn about topics related to or extending beyond those covered in their regular lessons.

The speakers are all experts in their respective fields and consistently appreciate the engagement and questions from our students.

Past topics and speakers include:

• Emily Penn – Ocean plastics
• Kit Chapman – How to build your own element
• Chine MacDonald – Gender, identity and belonging
• Katja Hoyer – The German Second Reich: Blood and Iron
• Simon Parker – The Fragile Artic
• Gisela Abbam – Is a global approach to healthcare becoming a requirement for securing global prosperity?
• Carolyn Bolton – Recognising your experiences: defining/redefining your narrative
• James Wishart – From French music to French culture
• David Olusoga – Black and British
• Kathryn Burn – From bedroom to boardroom with BBCs’ The Apprentice Finalist

In Years 10 and 12, pupils are offered the opportunity to take part in a discursive program called the Minerva Symposia. This allows them to gain confidence in reading more academic articles and presenting their viewpoints to individuals outside their usual social circles. Sessions run every half-term for either one or two periods, with groups divided into science-based and humanities-based topics.

Past topics include:

• Has vaping got more benefits than smoking?
• Is proportional representation a viable form of government?
• To what extent vaccinations should be made compulsory?
• How useful are the terms ‘feminism’ and ‘toxic masculinity’?
• Is genetic engineering a positive development?
• To what extent does the legacy of colonialism still permeate our society?

• Bromley High School & Harris Academy Orpington Debating Partnership
  Bromley High School students have previously collaborated with Harris Academy Orpington in a debate on technology in education, continuing their ongoing partnership to strengthen debating culture.Harris Academy has a burgeoning debating culture, and it is a wonderful opportunity for our students to support them as they develop and expand their debating society.
• RI Masterclasses with Bromley schools
  RI Masterclasses are extracurricular workshops in Mathematics or Computer Science, devised and presented by groups of Year 12 pupils.These masterclasses nurture younger pupils’ curiosity and inspire them to continue their engagement with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) in the future.
• Conferences
  A number of conferences are hosted throughout the year to which local schools are invited to participate. These include subjects such as Psychology, Business/Economics, and Physical Education, as well as a Model United Nations (MUN) conference and an event with Aerospace.
• Classics Department Projects
  Over the past year, the Classics department has undertaken several engaging projects. The Head of Classics has been offering Latin evening classes every Monday for parents and adults, covering increasingly challenging language passages and various aspects of Roman culture.

  Additionally, Head of Classics has taught part of the GCSE Latin course online to support students at Townley Grammar School with staffing needs.

  During the summer term, Year 12 Classics students engage local Year 5 pupils with lessons on Greek myths and organize creative activities for them.