Academic Society
Open to: Year 11 & 6th Form
Term(s): All
Contact: R E Golding
Cardinal Richelieu was certainly one of the greatest statesmen of the Seventeenth Century and arguably one of the greatest ever. He was the architect of the unitary French state and, as an act of sheer political will, he forged the absolutist French monarchy that died bloodily in the Revolution over one hundred and fifty years after his death. In addition, he was a theologian, philosopher, poet, playwright, military tactician and had an interest in science, architecture, painting, sculpture and music. Posthumously, he has also become a Hollywood villain!
That is why he was chosen as the image of the Sixth Form Academic Society. His superb intellect ranged freely over every area of learning, sometimes well, sometimes rather less well but he remained a polymath in the best traditions of the Renaissance.
We may not have any budding Richelieu's in the Sixth Form but we are keen to provide an opportunity for the most intellectually curious of our older pupils to explore together interesting and stimulating ideas and topics unconstrained by the demands of the examinations.
The Society will meet at least six times in each term and possibly more often to listen to academic papers, enjoy intellectual discussion and explore learning without frontiers.