Conference on Alternative Perspectives
Wednesday 26 June 2024
The Festival of Ideas is about having and understanding ideas that ultimately could change the world. Over the course of the week there will be concerts, academic enrichment sessions and theatrical performances alongside the headline events of the conference and activity day. The week provides an opportunity for students to develop and find new areas of interest. It aims to support the development of a life-long love of learning through a dynamic environment in which the school’s community can be creative, curious and collaborative.
One of the key aspects of the week is the Festival of Ideas Conference which gives members of the school community the chance to listen to some inspirational talks and discussion on the year’s theme. The theme for this year is “The importance of alternative perspectives”.
We aim to invite leaders from different fields to respond to our theme of the importance of alternative perspectives. This prompts a rich and creative panel discussion between disciplines that don’t often share a stage. This year’s speakers are Maggie Alphonsi, Dr Alana Harris and Ian Johnson. Maggie Alphonsi is the face of international women’s rugby and arguably one of the most well-known names in women’s team sports, as well as being a regular pundit on men’s international coverage. Dr Harris is a renowned academic from King’s College London, specialising in issues related to British identity in the nineteenth and twentieth century. Ian Johnson (Class of 1986) is the founder and Managing Director of IJPR, which has launched global publicity campaigns for some of the biggest TV shows of the last twenty years, including The Crown and Killing Eve.
If you would like to submit a question for our panel, please do so via this form.
The Festival of Ideas is a time for the whole school community to celebrate the achievements of our pupils in different disciplines. Tonight, we will also be giving prizes to the winners of the Trinity Extension Award which also focused on the theme of alternative perspectives.
We hope that all students will throw themselves into the festival and join in with as much as they can! Every child should be inspired by something they see or do in the week, and who knows, maybe have an idea that turns into a reality.
Mr D Halliday Head of Academic Scholarship
6:00 – Introduction from Mr Hardman
6:05 – Dr Alana Harris
6:20 – Ian Johnson
6:35 – Maggie Alphonsi
7:10 – Interval
7:25 – Trinity Extension Award Prize Giving
7:35 – Panel discussion
8:10 – Conference closed by Mr Kennedy
The panel would welcome questions in advance of the event. Please use this QR code to submit your questions.
