Creativity

The third annual Lower Sixth Conference starts today. As part of the post AS-level programme the Conference has been planned to give Lower Sixth Formers the opportunities to reflect on the strengths and skills they each possess and to explore the choices and decisions they will have to make about higher education and careers.

The Conference will also encourage pupils to think more broadly and creatively about life beyond the Arch, beyond the confines of the exam specifications and about how well they are able to work with others to achieve common goals. Based on the theme of Creativity each of the three days of the Conference (Wednesday-Friday) will comprise an introductory briefing, a lecture from an external speaker and time to work in groups on a task. Five groups will be chosen as finalists to present their work to the year group and a panel of judges on the final day of the Conference (Saturday). Highlights from the Conference will also be presented and a winner announced.

Speakers include Keith Khan who is often described as a ‘spectacularist’. As a practising artist Keith has been involved in many events often featuring hundreds of dancers and performers including the Millennium celebrations in the Millennium Dome; Melissa Cooke a Strategy Consultant who now consults for both the Government and private companies on strategy development and looking at ways of identifying new and creative ideas to gain a competitive advantage and, Architect David Franklin, who is one of the two founding Partners of Nottingham based Architects Franklin Ellis, designers of Repton’s Science Priory.

The post AS-level programme started last Friday with the Lower Sixth Careers Forum. Here the pupils heard and spoke to representatives from a range of different careers and professions. On Tuesday those who are considering taking a GAP year had the chance to develop their thoughts at the GAP Fair and towards the end of term, pupils will be shown how to start constructing a strong and distinctive UCAS application.