Last term,  students from Year 10 worked together with their counterparts from Harrow to collaborate and produce articles on the theme of ‘Lions and Unicorns.’ Pupils from both schools were put into mixed groups to research a wide variety of questions from different academic subject areas linked to the theme. Groups met virtually to discuss their progress towards creating a final article, which they presented to a room of staff, students and parents from both schools. 

Geography and Economics

Sophie C opened the session by delving into Rishi Sunak’s ’Unicorn Kingdom’ economics –  an attempt to improve employment rates through tech-focused entrepreneurship. Aidan S then highlighting the necessity of increasing capital inflow and venture capital, while providing an overview of the UK’s improving employment statistics. Aditya S provided a concise summary of productivity, emphasising the decline in the UK since the 2008 financial downturn, before Aidan explored the benefits of AI. Sophie then discussed the UK’s aspiration for ‘Superpower status,’ and Poppy E outlined the challenges in creating a ‘Unicorn Kingdom,’ emphasising potential financial constraints and mental health strain. The group concluded that achieving a ‘Unicorn Kingdom’ would be challenging, but that it is an idea worth pursuing.

Ancient History

Roxana Q initiated discussions on Enkidu from the epic of Gilgamesh, questioning whether this mythical figure served as the precursor to the modern unicorn. Tessa W provided a detailed summary of the epic poem, focusing on Enkidu as a horn-headed, human-like figure. Jin H then introduced the figures of Qilin and Rishyyashringa as contenders to the title of ‘proto-unicorn’, before Daniel Z concluded by asserting that Enkidu marks the earliest appearance of a unicorn-like figure, sparking an excellent Q&A session between the audience and the group about the mythical creature’s origins.

History and Art

Zorawar B explored the 3,000-year relationship between the lion and the unicorn, tracing its roots in Mesopotamian art and the creatures’ deep ties to Christianity. Yara A F delved into the symbolism of the lion in Persian culture, before John C provided a historical account of the unicorn, including a mistranslation of the Bible that led to the misconception of a single-horned creature. Stella W concluded by discussing the symbolism of the unicorn, emphasising its significant place alongside the lion on Britain’s coat of arms.

Physical Sciences

William S introduced the term ‘Dunkelflaute,’ highlighting a German word used to describe days without the weather needed to generate energy, which Aditi R used as a launchpad to explain the necessity of lithium-ion batteries on such days, detailing their functionality. Annabelle T explored alternative ion batteries, including Na-ion and Al-ion batteries, with Joaquin S summarising the advantages and disadvantages of each to finish off a discussion that provided valuable insights into sustainable energy solutions.

English

Isabel H explained the concept of emblem poetry from 16th century Europe, emphasising the concise messages conveyed through title, image, and text, before Adeife A introduced Hester Pulter, an emblem poet who had, until recently, remained largely unknown. Hattie C gave an informative overview of Pulter’s anti-monarchist ‘Lion and the Fox’ and ‘Stately Unicorn’ before Timi A and Auberon D offered close readings of these poems, unveiling the wider symbolic messages embedded in Pulter’s work.

Maths

Meher G explored the ‘Lion and Christian’ problem: a man’s escape from a lion in an arena. Adeline G took the mathematical setup of the circular arena further with an informative explanation before Eugene S took to the whiteboard to illustrate the mathematical limitations of the problem. Kevin Z concluded the mathematical discussions by explaining calculus fundamentals relevant to the problem, providing a comprehensive understanding of the mathematical aspects presented.

Political Philosophy

Katerina G opened the presentation by offering a comprehensive background on George Orwell’s political beliefs as well as clearly explaining the concepts of socialism and patriotism. Aidan A contextualised Orwell’s essay ‘The Lion and the Unicorn’, situating it in Orwell’s reaction to the Second World War, before Gary L delved into Orwell’s patriotic socialism as a ‘middle path’ between American commercialism and Soviet communism. Ellie C-S concluded by highlighting the ongoing relevance of Orwell’s ideas in contemporary political discourse.

Biology

Michael L explained the paradox of enrichment in biology before Gaia N explored the symbolism of the unicorn as a pure and powerful creature, linking it to now-extinct animals such as the ‘Siberian Unicorn’, a prehistoric ancestor of the rhinoceros. Daisy S explored exactly what it is that makes lions effective predators, providing biological insights into their predatory behaviour, before Harry B explored data linking hare and lynx populations in order to demonstrate the important relationship that exists between predator and prey.

Congratulations to all involved for such wonderful presentations.