We began this week with an assembly in which Sixth Formers attempted to demystify the electoral process in the USA and interviewed our very own Donald Trump and Kamala Harris (AKA Mr Picknell and Dr Yeomans). One might hope that our intelligent pupils will have been motivated to find out more about the policies of the two parties and to formulate rational judgements. However, they are often accustomed to imbibing news (and fake news) via their online feeds and in bite-size chunks. It is hardly surprising that they are disillusioned by the very negative and often personal point-scoring which characterises political campaigns, with an appeal to emotions rather than reason.

It seems that important votes are too often determined nowadays by highly charged and angry debate, with campaigns feeding off people’s grievances rather than their aspirations. The Brexit referendum was for me one such example and I found myself unnervingly out of touch with a groundswell of public opinion.

We should obviously encourage our young people to read both fiction and non-fiction, and to read the latter with a critical mind, including quality newspapers. As teachers, we have to avoid the promotion of partisan views, but I hope we give our pupils plenty of opportunities, in lessons and activities, to engage in healthy debate. They certainly enjoy this, so please challenge them to think about topical news items, to read the news thoughtfully and to engage in vigorous yet rational discussion around the dinner table!

I am a natural optimist, and my hope is that we can inspire and nurture a new generation of bright children who will be positive change-makers, determined to make a difference in their lives and to shape the good news which we crave!

Best wishes,

John Watson
Headmaster and Principal