We extend and enrich the academic development of our pupils through Aspiring Minds – our academic extension programme designed to spark curiosity, stretch thinking, and cultivate a genuine love of learning. Delivered through weekly, timetabled sessions, it offers all pupils the opportunity to engage with ideas that go beyond the taught curriculum and to develop the confidence to explore them with imagination and purpose.
Whether launching a tin-can rocket in a STEM workshop, stepping onto the stage in our Big NED or TEDx-style events, or testing their logic in a Maths Olympiad, pupils are encouraged to engage with new disciplines and tackle real-world problems. Activities range from engineering challenges and philosophical debate to sustainability seminars, public speaking, and workshops led by visiting academics and industry professionals. Alongside this, pupils explore global cultures, historical perspectives, and current affairs – building intellectual confidence and a sense of connection to the world around them.
By the end of Year 9, pupils will have taken part in a broad range of enrichment experiences, each designed to spark curiosity, develop independent thought, and cultivate the ambition to go beyond the syllabus.
Rooted in the belief that scholarship is a value for all, Aspiring Minds is open to every pupil. While we celebrate the achievements of our formally recognised Academic Scholars, this programme ensures that all pupils have access to high-level, thought-provoking academic experiences.
