Springwest Scholars

Springwest Scholars is a co-curricular opportunity for students who have demonstrated high levels of motivation and academic achievement. It aims to empower students to develop their Intellectual Virtues: ambition, autonomy and curiosity. We do this through facilitating students to undertake extra research, exposing them to knowledge beyond the curriculum and enriching their cultural capital.

St Mary's University

On Thursday 5th December 2024, our KS3 Springwest Scholars visited St Mary University, Twickenham. 

We started the day with a campus tour of the university, followed by a university fair of various subjects taught currently at St Mary such as Economics and History. Students ended the day with a Law taster session where they learnt the difference between civil and criminal law. 

Students also had the opportunity to practice their public speaking skills by presenting to our partners at Aim Higher. They worked collaboratively to design and justify a law they would create that can benefit our society. Students had to use their critical thinking skills to consider the purpose of the law such as what issues it would solve and possible exemptions to that law, for example age. 

“I was grateful to learn and experience what a university day would be like. It showed me what we would experience in the future. I really enjoyed it"  Year 8 Student

Debate Competition

On Wednesday 22nd January 2025, our Springwest Scholars competed in a debate competition. In the weekly sessions they learnt about the structure of formal debates, how to speak with confidence and how to construct counter arguments. The debate provided an opportunity for them to demonstrate Intellectual and Performance Virtues. 

Students debated the following topics: 

Should there be private schools? 
Should school be eight hours long?
Should school uniforms be mandatory?

Seeing our pupils’ ability to articulate themselves, use extensive vocabulary and rhetorical devices was inspiring. We are really proud of our Scholars and look forward to our next project, developing entrepreneurial skills.