Foundation for success
Intermediate Stretch and Challenge: The One with Time
Year 7–9 / Ages 12–14
BIG IDEAS AS FOR BRIGHT MINDS
UK
About
These inspiring events are designed for more able and ambitious students to explore thought-provoking ideas across disciplines such as philosophy, science, and ethics, sparking ambition and a lifelong love of learning through meaningful discussions with their peers. The conference promotes interdisciplinary learning, encouraging students to think outside the box by engaging with the world of concepts and ideas.
Why Attend?
The Intermediate Thinkers Conference is a unique opportunity for students to step beyond the classroom and engage with big ideas that challenge their perspectives and inspire intellectual curiosity. By attending, students will:
- Gain valuable insights across various fields.
- Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Build confidence in their ability to tackle complex issues and take responsibility for their own learning.
As one student reflected: “I left the conference feeling ready to take charge of my education and explore new ideas on my own.” Another student shared, “The conference taught me that learning doesn’t stop when you leave the classroom—it’s a lifelong journey.”
These events are designed to empower students to become independent thinkers, equipping them with the tools to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of knowledge and ideas.
Programme
1. Philosophy Session: The Big Questions
Students explore foundational questions such as:
- What is truth?
- What makes a good life?
They begin to see how philosophical thinking challenges assumptions and reshapes how we understand the world.
2. Community of Inquiry: Freedom of Speech
A structured, student-led discussion where ideas are tested collaboratively.
Students learn to:
- Listen carefully
- Build on others’ ideas
- Think critically without “winning”
This is where confidence and intellectual independence really grow.
3. Science Session: The Science of Time
Students encounter some of the biggest scientific questions:
- Does time really exist?
- Why does it seem to move in one direction?
- Is time travel possible?
This connects abstract thinking to cutting-edge scientific ideas.
4. Debate: Does Love Conquer All?
A lively, structured debate drawing on:
- Philosophy
- Theology
- Personal reasoning
Students explore whether love is always transformative — or whether it has limits.
Speakers
Julie Arliss
A Farmington Scholar at Harris Manchester College, Oxford, Julie Arliss is a highly accomplished teacher and author. Julie Arliss is a well-known international educator of gifted students with a gift for making the complex simple, and the simple complex. She is committed to the provision of world-class extension activities for these students, to extend their reach well beyond the curriculum to new areas of knowledge. She is on the examining team for Cambridge International Examinations and founder of Academy Learning.
Conference Dates
Booking
Conference Fees
Students:
A fixed fee of £35 each
We have access to sponsorship for students wishing to attend but for whom the cost is a significant challenge for their families. Please contact us for further details.
Staff:
A fixed fee of £35 each
One free place with every 12 students, the charge for which will be deducted at checkout.
Unaccompanied teachers attending for their own CPD to pay £220.
Please Note:
These events fill quickly but we appreciate that many schools need time to collect money from students.
Booking Places at a Conference
Bookings for a conference are usually made by a teacher or other representative from a school, and students attend conference with their school group accompanied by a supervising teacher. The school is invoiced for the number of students and staff attending (if schools require payment from students or parents for attendance, these payments are made to the school).
Please note that we cannot accept bookings for unaccompanied students, and all students attending are required to have a supervising teacher, or parent, with them. This is a workplace health and safety issue, as we do not have the necessary staff to provide supervision of students at the conference, or during meal breaks. [If a school is not attending, and a student from that school wishes to attend independently, they can do so, but they must be accompanied by a supervising adult who is charged at the same rate as the student, and who makes the booking on behalf of the student. A supervising adult can be a parent or other responsible person over 18. The school or parent must give permission for the student to be absent from school on that day]
School Booking
Booking Information for Schools:
We understand that school administrative processes can take time, so to avoid missing out, you are welcome to pencil in your numbers by contacting Tony at [email protected]. Our events fill quickly, so we recommend reserving your spots as early as possible.
For bookings for smaller numbers please address requests to [email protected]
CPD Booking
Contact & Support
Need help deciding?
📧 [email protected]
📞 +44 7979 524277