A level Philosophy In 2017 the department began to teach A level Philosophy for the first time. This course examines What is Philosophy? And tries to find solutions to questions to which definitive answers have proved elusive, such as: How do I know that I am not merely a brain in a vat, or living in The Matrix ? What is the ‘good life’? Who, or what, am I? Does free will exist? Do animals, or indeed humans, have rights? The A level focuses in particular on the following four key questions : • What can we know? • How do we make moral decisions? • Is the concept of God coherent? • What is the mind, and are mind and body separate?
Philosophy Circle Philosophy Circle provides pupils with an opportunity to explore philosophical ideas and arguments that often lie outside the core curriculum. The main aim of the Society is to encourage pupils to think and to explore their philosophical interests in the broadest sense. Previous talks given by pupils include Blade Runner and Existentialism, The Octopus and Consciousness, The Genesis of Blame , and Genetically Enhance Humanity or Face Destruction. It is important for pupils who do philosophy and a typical session will involve a 20-minute talk followed by 20 minutes of discussion and debate. Here are the thoughts of Lucas (Remove) on the Society: ‘I think the Philosophy Circle is great. Being a small group that attends, it’s nice to have more personal and intimate discussions about the topics we want to explore. Furthermore, the pupils do their own presentations giving them an opportunity to explore issues they personally find intriguing with a teacher and a group of peers. I will definitely continue to attend’ Lucas, Year 12 RT conference In Michaelmas 2018, Dr Peter Vardy, former Vice- Principal of Heythrop College of the University College London, visited the College to deliver a series of workshops to pupils (Year 8-13) on matters of theology and philosophy as part of a RT one-day conference. Dr Vardy is a world renowned academic specialising in these fields and it was a rare and
Year 10 and 11 take part in the College’s RT GCSE one-day conference.
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