After Mrs King retired in the summer of 2010, the ‘King Society’ was formed as a way for all academic scholars to meet up during the week and discuss matters that have come up in the news, have debates about current issues, or even to work out riddles and syllogisms. It is half an hour on a Thursday when scholars can talk about topics that interest them, and to really stretch their thinking to subjects outside their normal train of thought. It is also a great way to integrate between year groups and, to quote a scholar in the Lower Sixth, lets us ‘intellectually express our views in an encouraging and stimulating environment’.

 

This year in King Society, we have had debates about ‘The Life of the Amish’ and the creation of pink Lego, as well as a balloon debate in which Hitler beat out both Hermione Granger and Walt Disney! Students also get to voice their own ideas and, last term, every member of the Upper Sixth spoke about their experience of university application and answered any questions that others had to offer them. This was useful both for interview practice, and to let the Lower Sixth and Fifth years know what they could to in preparation for applying to universities.

 

We are currently looking towards a ‘QM Challenge’ competition, which will see scholars put up against each other in a University Challenge style quiz show. It is opportunities like this that really make being an academic scholar a great privilege and the juice and cakes we are given at each meeting is an extra bonus that we all take advantage of!