By Mrs Postlethwaite, Deputy Head of Sixth Form

The pace of global change is accelerating, and NHEHS students must be agile, curious, creative problem-solvers with the diplomatic and technological skills to successfully navigate an uncertain future.

On Tuesday 19th October, Year 11 students explored Artificial Intelligence, Migration to the UK, and Climate Change in an attempt to develop guidelines for how these important issues should be addressed. Students discussed questions such as:

• How can we ensure that AI is used ethically? Who gets to determine what is “ethical?”
• Who should be allowed to migrate? Refugees? People from within the Commonwealth? Those who can support themselves? Who should determine this?

• Should we ensure the benefits from any policy change go where they are most needed? How do we prioritise? How can we convince countries, governments, and individuals to support policy changes?

Students worked in groups to develop guidelines, provide feedback, and refine their guidelines before sharing them with other Year 11 students. We concluded with discussions about the complexity of these issues, the need for creativity, collaboration, and diplomacy, and the real-world limits any solution is likely to encounter.

On the same day Year 11 also enjoyed A level taster lessons. All students had to choose 4-5 subjects which they are considering for A Level next year and then attended a 35 minute taster lesson in each of the subjects at the Sixth Form Centre. The students also enjoyed spending time in the Common Room with the current Head Girls Team and House Captains who told them all about life in the Sixth Form, as well as sampling pains au chocolat and hot drinks from the Sixth Form café! All Year 11s have been assigned a member of staff as an academic mentor who will be meeting with them shortly to discuss their subject choices.