Scholars’ Programme
Language and… 2015-2016
Language and… Welcome to the Scholars’ Programme for 2015/16 Scholars are privileged both in their status within the school and because of the financial awards they receive. We expect them to show real commitment to the academic life of the school, therefore; not just by working to their own benefit, but also by being leaders in their subject areas and advocates for their passions. The Scholars’ Programme is overseen by the Headmaster and the Deputy Head, as a mark of its importance. It comprises a series of tutorials, seminars and workshops designed to inspire our most able pupils to achieve their full academic potential. Scholars are expected to attend all events as their first priority unless excused by the Headmaster. To capture a wide range of interesting topics, the programme of speakers revolves around a central theme, allowing speakers to apply it to the varied areas of their own expertise. From September 2015 the theme is Language and the following pages show how guests will be exploring its relevance to a variety of areas including history, art, literature, human body language and the language of animals. The programme is designed to supplement scholars’ normal academic studies and takes on a variety of
forms; from guest speakers to regular Oxbridgestyle tutorials, debates and holiday reading. It is good preparation for the mixture of reading, lectures and tutorials that scholars will meet at university. By the time they reach the Sixth Form we expect pupils’ academic passions to have become clear enough to allow all scholars to undertake an Extended Project. The Extended Project Qualification is equivalent to an AS level and is clear evidence to top universities of interest in an academic subject. The experience of writing an extended dissertation of some 5,000 words, or producing a suitable musical, dramatic or artistic composition, is also good experience of universitystyle study. Such learning should also, however, be a stimulating experience in its own right; as should attending the programme set out here. I hope this brochure will whet your appetite, therefore, and leave you keen to be involved.
Julian Johnson-Munday MA MBA Headmaster
“A thriving, happy school with excellent foundations and confident leadership” The Good Schools Guide
Autumn Term 2015 Friday 25 September Scholars’ Seminar ‘Body Language: Speaking Without Words’ Speaker: Mr Julian Johnson-Munday Culford’s Headmaster will present the first seminar in the Scholars’ Programme for 2015-16. Educated at Norwich School, and with an MBA from Durham University, Mr JohnsonMunday has been Headmaster at Culford since 2004. Time: 4.00pm Venue: Library Lecture Theatre All Scholars and Exhibitioners
Mr Julian Johnson-Munday
“To deny people their human rights
Friday 6 November
is to challenge their very humanity.”
Scholars’ Seminar
Nelson Mandela
‘Language and Human Rights’ Speaker: Prof Robert Dunbar Professor Robert Dunbar is one of the world’s foremost experts on language rights and the protection of linguistic minorities. He is an expert of the Council of Europe in relation to minority language policy, and has advised international organisations, including the OSCE and the UN, governments and non-governmental organisations on language legislation and language policy. Time: 4.00pm Venue: Library Lecture Theatre All Scholars and Exhibitioners
Prof Robert Dunbar
Friday 27 November Scholars’ Seminar ‘Language and History’ Speaker: Prof Simon Horobin Professor Horobin is a Tutorial Fellow at Magdalen College in the University of Oxford, where he is responsible for undergraduate teaching in English Language and Medieval Literature. His research focuses on the history of the English Language, especially in the medieval period, most recently on spelling: its history, its role in society and its future. His latest book, ‘From Hail to Hashtag: A Short History of the English Language’, will be published in 2016.
Time: 4.00pm Venue: Library Lecture Theatre All Scholars and Exhibitioners
Prof Simon Horobin
Spring Term 2016
Friday 29 january Scholars’ Seminar ‘Pearls and Pomegranates, Peacocks and Pipes: The Hidden Language of Renaissance Art’ Speaker: Shirley Smith Shirley Smith graduated from UEA with first class honours in the History of Art. She is a fellow at the Royal Society of Arts and has lectured at UEA, to The Art Fund and at various arts societies. She is also a tutor for the Board of Continuing Education at Cambridge University. Time: 4.00pm Venue: Library Lecture Theatre All Scholars and Exhibitioners
Shirley Smith
Friday 26 february Drinks Reception and Scholars’ Seminar ‘Non-Human Language: Birds, Wolves and Aliens’ Speaker: Dr Arik Kershenbaum Arik Kershenbaum is Herchel Smith Research Fellow in Zoology at the University of Cambridge. He studies animal communication in dolphins, wolves, and other species, as well as examining the mathematical structure of language in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. He studied Natural Sciences at Cambridge University, and received his PhD from the University of Haifa in Israel. Time: 6.00pm Venue: Library Lecture Theatre All Academic Scholars and Exhibitioners and their parents and guardians.
Dr Arik Kershenbaum
Friday 11 March Scholars’ Seminar ‘Language and Literature’ Speaker: Alexia Glassbrook Alexia Glassbrook is Head of English at Culford. She graduated with a degree in English Literature from the University of Sheffield before going on to do her PGCE at Brunel University in London. As part of her degree Alexia studied feminist literary theory, looking at how writers use language to reflect gender identity and social status. Time: 4.00pm Venue: Library Lecture Theatre All Scholars and Exhibitioners
Alexia Glassbrook
Academic Scholars’ Tutorials and Debates Academic scholars are required to attend several tutorials a term. Subjects discussed include UCAS applications to university, interview skills and the Student Investor Challenge. There are also termly debates where academic scholars can debate with members of the Common Room on the topic of their choice relating to the theme ‘Language and…’. All dates can be found in the termly calendar or overleaf.
“The only thing
that you absolutely have to know is
the location of the library”
Albert Einstein
Autumn Term 11th September 4.15pm 2nd October
4.30pm
Scholars’ Assembly and Academic Scholars’ Tutorial All years UCAS Scholars’ Tutorial Upper Sixth
9th October
6.00pm
Academic Scholars’ Tutorial All years
13th November
4.15pm
Scholars’ Tutorial Upper Sixth
20th November
4.15pm
Pupils’ Termly Debate All years
4th December
4.15pm
Scholars’ Reading Tutorial All years
15th January
4.15pm
Reading Tutorial All years
5th February
4.00pm
A Level Extended Project Qualification Lower Sixth
12th February
4.15pm
Tutorial All years
12th February
4.15pm
UCAS Tutorial Lower Sixth
11th March
6.00pm
UCAS and Beyond Lower Sixth
18th March
4.15pm
Tutorial All years
18th March
4.15pm
UCAS Tutorial Lower Sixth
Spring Term
About the New Library We are thrilled to be hosting this series of seminars in the lecture theatre of Culford’s new landmark library. Opening in September 2015, the new library offers an inviting space where pupils are keen to go and study; an environment which will support their ability to learn, share ideas, research and investigate; and a place where they can fulfil their potential as independent learners.
Aspirant Oxbridge Candidates Conference Lower Sixth
Date TBC
Summer Term 29th April
4.15pm
Reading Tutorial FOURTH FORM AND LOWER FIFTH
30th June
4.00pm
Scholars’ Assembly Reading Tutorial Fourth Form, Lower Fifth and Lower Sixth
Dates TBC
Life After Culford Lower Sixth
A computer-generated image of the interior of the new library.
Culford School Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP28 6TX Tel: 01284 728615 admissions@culford.co.uk www.culford.co.uk