Giving Intellectual Curiosity Free Rein
100 GCSE Students from 7 Schools
Collaborating with Like-Minded Individuals
ACADEMY Working Beyond GCSE Specifications
Supporting Students with High Academic Aspirations
Developing Independent Thinking Skills
2023-2024
Roedean Academy Overview The Roedean Academy is an exciting collaborative programme of academic enrichment for highly talented and aspiring students in the local area in Year 10. If these words describe you and you’re ready to be challenged intellectually and think independently, apply to take part! This is the sixth year the Academy has run, and it has been so successful that it has grown in scope and reach each year – in 2023-2024, the programme will include up to 100 students from 7 schools in the local area, and collaborative activities will take place each term. The programme is delivered at Roedean, and is designed to bring together like-minded young people, to provide enriching academic extension far beyond what is required at GCSE, to stimulate and challenge the most able, and to help to prepare them for more detailed and rewarding study in the Sixth Form and beyond. In order to benefit fully from the Roedean Academy, you need to be ready and willing to contribute and play an active part in all elements of the programme, and to commit to attending all sessions across the year. The Roedean Academy runs on Tuesday afternoons, from 16:15 to 18:00. Transport from our partner schools will be provided, but all attendees must make their own arrangements for return travel. There is no charge for taking part in the programme. Dr Ross Barrand Deputy Head: Co-Curriculum and Partnerships
‘It introduced me to a different way of thinking, and new topics, some of which I didn’t know existed.’ Nicholas (King’s Hove)
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‘I have enjoyed it thoroughly , and have been tested in ways I’ve nev er done before.’ Tegen (PACA)
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A selection of titles from previous years
International Relations Theory: Ukraine – a Case-Study (Politics)
Covid Recession, Cost of Living Crisis, Climate Crisis! What is Going On? (Economics) A Study of Animal Behaviour (Biology)
Love It or Hate It... The Physics of Marmite! (Physics)
Reality and Illusion – living in Stalin’s Russia (History)
Crystal Lattice Structures (Chemistry)
Neurodiversity – A Study (Psychology)
Shakespeare’s World: Understanding Texts through Objects (English)
Hollywood Films and their Hidden Meanings (English)
Structure of the Programme for 2023-2024 Autumn Term 2023
2 October 2023 – 15:45-17:30
Black History Month lecture Guest Speaker: Dr Tessy Ojo CBE The lecture is followed by discussion and exploration of this theme in small groups.
Spring Term 2024
February-March 2024
5-week programme, after February half-term, with 2 sessions each week Students have a free choice of which sessions to attend, allowing each to follow a path which complements their interests, be that in Science, Humanities, or Arts. Higher Education Evening on 21 February 2024 Students will hear about the UCAS process, alternatives such as apprenticeships, and the student higher education experience. International Women’s Day on 8 March 2024 Students are welcome to take part in this empowering day of lectures, selecting 5 talks to attend, from a choice of over 20 speakers across the day.
Summer Term 2024
11 June 2024 – 16:15-18:00
Academic Symposium Students research and prepare an academic paper on a topic of their choice over the course of the term, then deliver a 5-minute lecture to an audience of their peers.
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Programme – Spring 2024 WEEK 1
Tuesday 20 February
16:15-17:05
Introduction and tour of Roedean
17:10-18:00
Mr Clingan (Economics)
The Parallel Worlds of Blake’s Poetry
Ms Shahab (English)
President or Prisoner? What next for Donald Trump?
Mr Marchant (Politics)
Life, the Universe, and Everything
Mr Hawthorne (Astronomy)
Hip-Hop – A Street-Dance Experience
Ms Abaza (Dance)
WEEK 1
Wednesday 21 February
Evening
Higher Education Evening
WEEK2
Tuesday 27 February
16:15-17:05
17:10-18:00
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Why you should care about Economics!
Private Lives in Stalin’s Russia
Mrs Black (History)
Chemical Analysis
Ms Walker (Chemistry)
A Neurodivergent Interpretation of Frankenstein
Ms Boobis (English)
Psychological Explanations for Social Change
Mr Harrison (Psychology)
The Joy of Ceramics
Ms Mara (Ceramics)
Why are the British so Obsessed with the Weather?
Mr Carter (Meteorology)
Ethics in Sport
Miss Hayman (Sport Science)
Being Human – Ancient Perspectives
Mrs Allen (Classics)
Why Do We Need Bees?
Mrs Hawkins (Bees)
Language Code-Breaking
Dr Barrand (Languages)
WEEK 3
16:15-17:05
Tuesday 5 March An Introduction to Life Drawing
Ms Strachan (Art)
Shostakovich versus Stalin
Dr Barrand (Culture)
Attitudes towards gender-neutral Spanish
Ms Ibanez-Barcelo (Spanish)
What does it take to become a doctor or a dentist?
Dr Turner (Biology)
Hard Maths Made Easy
Mr Fletcher (Maths)
17:10-18:00
Careers’ Fair
WEEK 3
Friday 8 March
All day
International Women’s Day
WEEK 4
Tuesday 12 March An Introduction to Particle Physics
Mrs Bond (Physics)
Who shot JFK?
Mrs Newman (History)
What is Poetry?
Dr Barrand (Literature)
The Ethics of Sustainability
Mr Evans (Philosophy)
A Brief History of Number
Mrs Hopper (Maths)
17:10-18:00
Researching and Writing an Academic Paper
Ms Boobis (Research)
WEEK 5
Tuesday 19 March
16:15-17:05
16:15-17:05
17:10-18:00
A Crash Course in British Sign Language
Mrs Palmer (Sign Language)
Why do Oil and Water always Separate?
Miss Holmes (Chemistry)
How music works – a consideration of the time and pitch domains that connect all music
Mr McGregor (Music)
The Language of the InterGenerational War
Mr Woodhouse (English)
Sustainability in Design: What is the Future of our Materials?
Mrs Quirk (Design)
Finale and Feedback 5
Tuesday 20 February
Session 1 – 16:15-17:05
Introduction and Tour of Roedean
Tuesday 20 February
Session 2 – 17:10-18:00
Why you should care about Economics! Mr Clingan (Economics) What is your view of the perfect world? What should us humans be aiming for? Why does the adult world care so much about high inflation, high interest rates, recessions and financial crashes? Come and introduce yourself to the fascinating world of Economics – maybe it’ll give you new adult insights into the world around you or even may be your first step towards a fulfilling career in Economics!
The Parallel Worlds of Blake’s Poetry Ms Shahab (English) The Age of Enlightenment was a time when science and reason were gaining ground, and religion was becoming less significant as a means to explain the world. The literary canon shifted to a more secular interest in nature and seeing it as a source of inspiration and answers to the plight of mankind. Blake was the forerunner of this new movement called Romanticism, and he explored the binary opposition of Good and Evil in such seminal works as ‘Songs of Innocence and Experience’, using his engraving skills to give his poems another dimension. A visionary and a man before his time – much of his work resonates with the lives we live today.
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President or Prisoner? What next for Donald Trump? Mr Marchant (Politics) In 2016 Donald Trump’s election victory came as a great surprise to much of the political establishment and many mainstream commentators. His tenure as 45th US president was highly unconventional and he remains a divisive figure. After his loss in the 2020 election he has promised to win back the presidency in 2024. He retains a sizable loyal following, though faces multiple legal battles. His future is far from certain. In this session we shall explore what awaits Donald Trump in 2024.
Life, the Universe ,and Everything Mr Hawthorne (Astronomy) Don’t Panic. The answer is 42. But what are the ultimate questions? Where did the Universe come from? How did it get to its present state? Where is it going? How do we know? What do the latest results in Cosmology tell us? Bring your towel!
Hip-Hop – A Street-Dance Experience Ms Abaza (Dance) What are ‘spongebobs’, the ‘alf’, and the ‘cabbage-patch’? Join us for an hour of street dance, where you can explore the historical context and terminology associated with this style. Then we’ll use what we’ve learnt to create a short routine, using Zoo Nation as a starting point.
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Tuesday 27 February
Session 1 – 16:15-17:05
Private Lives in Stalin’s Russia Mrs Black (History) In this session we will journey into Soviet Russia and explore what it was like to live under Stalin’s dictatorship during the 1930s-1950s. Using the research of historian Orlando Figes, we will examine the memories of one ordinary witness, Antonina Golovina, to uncover the complex reality of living in the Ukraine and Moscow during these years. In doing so, we will consider the problematic nature of the evidence, the message we are ‘sold’ and the wider implications of drawing too simple generalisations of the past.
Chemical Analysis Ms Walker (Chemistry) Work as a team to plan and execute your own experiment to discover the identify of mystery chemicals. Use coloured flames, precipitation reactions and problem-solving skills to identify a range of unknown ionic compounds.
A Neurodivergent Interpretation of Frankenstein Ms Boobis (English) Critical theory enables us to look at texts through a wide range of perspectives: psychoanalytic, historical, critical race studies, eco-critical and more. This session anticipates a possible new development in psychoanalytic theory that would explore indications of neurodivergence in texts, using Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein as a case study. We will look at how our focus and textual interpretation can be radically shifted when looking through this new lens.
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Psychological Explanations for Social Change Mr Harrison (Psychology) One of the few things we can be certain about over the next twenty years or so is that society will change. This session looks at the psychological processes used, both consciously and unconsciously, by minority groups who actively seek to change the actions and beliefs of the majority.
The Joy of Ceramics Ms Mara (Ceramics) In this practical workshop, we will explore a number of ceramics techniques briefly, and then get our hands a little bit dirty.
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Tuesday 27 February
Session 2 – 17:10-18:00
Why are the British so obsessed with the weather? Mr Carter (Meteorology) We have a reputation around the world for talking about the weather at any opportunity. We famously use the topic as an icebreaker in social situations. However, if you live in the UK, you will know just how unpredictable, variable and occasionally extreme our weather can be. Naturally, it deserves to be discussed – doesn’t it?
Ethics in Sport Miss Hayman (Sport Science) With sport being such a lucrative business in the modern era, and the margins between winning and losing getting finer and finer, have the ethics in and the reason behind taking part in sport become blurred?
Being human – ancient perspectives Mrs Allen (Classics) In this session we will look at Greek and Roman accounts of the creation of humans and development of societies. Many of the truths we hold about ourselves and the human condition are reflected in these ancient mythologies and stories. You may have heard of Prometheus, but do you know of his brother Epimetheus? What was the golden age of man for the ancients? Why did Pandora have a jar of evils?
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Why Do We Need Bees? Mrs Hawkins (Bees) Bees, buzzing around, getting stuck inside, and stinging people! Bees really are misunderstood, and often maligned. Why is it so important that we look after bees and their habitat? Not only are they gentle and rarely sting, but they do so much good. In this session, we will explore the benefits bees bring, and what we can do to support them in their work.
Language Code-Breaking Dr Barrand (Languages) English is an incredibly irregular language, Finnish has 14 cases and is in the same linguistic group as Mongolian, and there are over 500 native languages spoken in Nigeria. In this module, we will look at other alphabets and scripts to see how they are constructed and ‘break their code’, and then work together to try to identify what you do to make a noun plural or put a verb into the past tense. If you want to pursue languages, or perhaps learn a new language at university, this is for you.
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Tuesday 5 March
Session 1 – 16:15-17:05
An Introduction to Life Drawing Ms Strachan (Art) Drawing directly from the model and observing the human figure is a skill. In this module, you will learn to draw what you see, not what you think a figure should look like. It is about the process of drawing, not the outcome – it’s learning to see and to trust your eye.
Shostakovich versus Stalin Dr Barrand (Culture) Dmitri Shostakovich was a Soviet composer who was writing a musical commentary of the political and historical events in the Soviet Union under Stalin. His music was banned and censored, yet composing in these intolerable conditions almost seemed to produce his best music. How did Shostakovich, arguably one of Russia’s greatest composers, manage to continue to work when Stalin and his regime were doing everything possible to crush his creativity?
Attitudes towards gender-neutral Spanish Ms Ibanez-Barcelo (Spanish) In this module we will be exploring how language adapts and evolves to fit the needs of our ever-changing society. We will focus on the how Spanish language is becoming more and more inclusive and the debates revolving around the use of gender-neutral language.
What does it take to become a doctor or a dentist? Dr Turner (Biology) In this session, we will look at what it takes to become a doctor or dentist in the NHS, giving you tips on how to prepare yourself, and also an opportunity to have a go at some of the problems you might face at an interview. This session would of interest to anyone considering a career in health care, medicine, or dentistry, along with those that are interested in STEM generally. This session will be interactive, involving discussions in small groups and problemsolving, so come prepared to think and contribute!
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Hard Maths Made Easy Mr Fletcher (Maths) In this session, we will explore improbable mathematical facts – did you know that if you folded a piece of paper 40 times, it will reach the moon? This is just one of the amazing problems you will encounter and solve.
Tuesday 5 March
Session 2 – 17:10-18:00
Careers Fair A chance to speak to professionals from a wide range of fields, so that you can find out ‘from the horse’s mouth’ what is involved, and how to prepare yourself to pursue a certain career-path.
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Tuesday 12 March
Session 1 – 16:15-17:05
An Introduction to Particle Physics Mrs Bond (Physics) What really happens at the most fundamental levels of nature? Protons, electrons, neutrons, neutrinos and even quarks are often featured in news of scientific discoveries. All of these, and a whole “zoo” of others, are tiny sub-atomic particles too small to be seen even in microscopes. While molecules and atoms are the basic elements of familiar substances that we can see and feel, we have to “look” within atoms in order to learn about the “elementary” subatomic particles and to understand the nature of our Universe. This session will give you an introduction to the world of particle physics and what we can learn from it.
Who shot JFK? Mrs Newman (History) There are many conspiracy theories about the assassination of President Kennedy however this is often not a topic discussed much in History lessons. Do historians know who shot JFK? Why are there so many alternative/conspiracy theories about his death? Why do these ideas persist sixty years after his death? In this session we will explore these ideas with some documentary evidence to consider why this has been an issue of such great interest for so many years.
What is Poetry? Dr Barrand (Literature) No-one writes rhyming poetry these days! What is the point? – it’s all so wishy-washy! Do you agree that poetry has fallen out of favour in English, and, if so, why? Should poetry rhyme, or not, should it scan, or not, should it say something concrete, or not. And do these things make it better or worse than prose? In this seminar, we will look at a range of verses and try to decide whether the poetry is good or bad, and why.
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The Ethics of Sustainability Mr Evans (Philosophy) In a world moulded by human impact, ethical decision making regarding the environment takes centre stage, particularly in the era of Climate Change. This session will delve into the critical ethical inquiries surrounding environmental rights, the discourse on animal rights, and humanity’s interconnectedness with the environment. Join us as we explore the avenues for ethical decision-making that have the potential to positively impact our planet’s future.
A Brief History of Number Mrs Hopper (Maths) In this session, we will journey through time to discover how the human concept of number has developed. Along the way, we will look at fundamental proofs and dabble with complex arithmetic.
Tuesday 12 March
Session 2 – 17:10-18:00
Researching and Writing an Academic Paper In preparation for the ‘Roedean Academy Symposium’ on 11 June, this session will take you through some tips on preparing a short research paper. Researching a topic that you choose and give your own individual direction to, and then sharing your findings with others, can be hugely exciting and rewarding. It will also help you to further develop your skills of scholarship that universities really value, as well as the skill of presenting ideas clearly and with authority that future employers will be impressed by. We will be covering: • How to identify a topic and to narrow down on a research question • How to find relevant research resources • How to record your research • How to plan and write your academic paper • How to prepare a short presentation 15
Tuesday 19 March
Session 1 – 16:15-17:05
A Crash Course in British Sign Language Mrs Palmer (Sign Language) Have you ever wondered how exciting it would be to ‘speak’ a language that not many other people speak? Sign Language has recently been accepted as an official language by law, and it is definitely increasing in popularity as a result of wider exposure. If you would like to learn the alphabet and some greetings in BSL, you would be very welcome!
Why do oil and water always separate? Miss Holmes (Chemistry) Discover the chemistry behind the reason oil and water do not mix, why water is one of the most unusual compounds on Earth and bend the flow of liquids using only the power of electrons.
How music works – a consideration of the time and pitch domains that connect all music Mr McGregor (Music) What is going on in Radiohead’s Pyramid Song? Which rhythms can be found in everything from folk music to techno? How can just a few simple chords give rise to music as different as that of J.S. Bach, John Coltrane and (even) Rick Astley?! This seminar investigates rhythm and harmony across genres. With examples drawn from pop, jazz, classical, electronic, traditional and global genres, and via listening, performing and composing activities this interactive seminar will offer perspectives on how you might more deeply hear, compose, and appreciate music.
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The Language of the Inter-Generational War Mr Woodhouse (English) This session will investigate political correctness and the backlash against it, the ideas of ‘woke’ and ‘anti-woke’, and challenge the idea of attitudinal progressiveness in a provocative way. Very suitable for students interested in language, literature, philosophy, cultural politics (including ‘cancel culture’), history, and the like.
Sustainability in Design: What is the Future of our Materials? Mrs Quirk (Design) A new generation of designers is rethinking our relationship to everyday things. From fashion to food, electronics to construction, and even packaging – finding the lost value in our waste and reimagining a future of clean materials.
Tuesday 19 March
Session 2 – 17:10-18:00
Finale and Feedback
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Next Steps For the Spring term programme, you will need to choose your preferred modules for each session. You will be sent an online form to complete – the deadline is Friday 26 January. When making your selections, you should include first, second, and third choices, just in case some sessions are heavily over-subscribed – you are however likely to get most of your choices, if not all. If you have any questions, please contact Nicola Lugton (nlu@roedean.co.uk).
Roedean School, Roedean Way, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 5RQ 18
T: +44(0)1273 667500 | E: schooloffice@roedean.co.uk | W: roedean.co.uk facebook.com/RoedeanSchool | twitter.com/RoedeanSchool Charity No.: 307063