The Summer Programme is an academic enrichment course for bright , ambitious students aged 11-16 with a strong level of English . All students take four modules : Critical Thinking , Social Leadership , Creativity and Digital Skills . Each module is a 10-hour course and the variety on offer gives students a taste of what academic life is like at Sevenoaks School . Classes are separated by age , with junior and senior pathways following different case studies and module topics .
CRITICAL THINKING It has never been more important for students to possess the critical skills they need to tell good arguments from bad , to learn how to discriminate between information and propaganda and to be able to balance different perspectives with their own views . This module is designed to teach students about a range of real world political and cultural issues , and to develop the skills of critical interrogation . Topics covered include , but are not limited to , bias , fallacies and ‘ Fake News ’, while each two-day course ends with a fiery debate .
SOCIAL LEADERSHIP AND ENTERPRISE This module enables students to appreciate the role of social leaders in creating social change .
On the first day , we aim to deepen students ’ understanding of the world around them through the close examination of different social problems and reflecting upon their impact on particular communities . We examine different paths towards effective social change , assessing and advancing students ’ own entrepreneurial skills in the process . On the second day , students have the opportunity to work on a practical challenge in which they apply their leadership abilities to a current social issue which they care deeply about , creating innovative solutions . Students leave empowered with the leadership tools and mindset to enable them to make a positive impact on the lives of others , and create the world they wish to see .
CREATIVITY Too easily , young students can become so immersed in their critical reactions to , and appreciation of creative works that their own creativity can become stifled . Keeping a young person ’ s passion for creation and self-expression burning is a key responsibility of a progressive education and is one that we at Sevenoaks School take extremely seriously . This module encourages students to think about what is meant by ‘ creativity ’ and delves into its various forms including creative writing , drama , theatrical technology and film . It is a crucial message to learn that a creative approach across the board will be perhaps the most important characteristic to set the next generation of graduates apart from their peers .
DIGITAL SKILLS The ongoing digital revolution has brought us deep and powerful tools and resources to push human knowledge and understanding further forwards . The digital revolution has also brought challenging and disruptive elements which threaten to distract and subvert our assumptions about education and society . Soft skills such as teamwork , problem-solving and patience are cultured in this challenging module which utilises the world-class technology that we have access to at Sevenoaks School .
This module involves coding , design and robotics while equipping students with the skills they need to develop as independent learners in an ever-changing world .