We are confident that our academic scholars will help to shape the future of the world in a positive way, and we aim to provide opportunities for them to question, probe, and innovate in every aspect of their current and future study.
Our academic scholars’ programme focuses on developing the Habits of Scholarliness identified in the research of Professor Sandra Kaplan of the University of Southern California; in particular, we encourage our scholars to exhibit the traits of intellectual risk-taking, academic humility, and considering multiple perspectives.
Academic scholars enter the programme either as part of the admissions process or as honorary scholars based on academic performance and their Trinity Extension Award (TEA) submission. Whilst some aspects of the programme are only for academic scholars, lots of it is open for all students to access. All students are able to enter the TEA, participate in the Festival of Ideas Conference, and attend Mitre Lectures. All entrants are considered for honorary scholarships, which are conferred on a rolling basis each academic year. While honorary scholarships do not entail fee remission, they give recipients the same status as any other academic scholar.
We recognise that no two scholars are the same, and we encourage all our students to explore their academic passions, whatever they may be – in recent years, our scholars have chosen to pursue independent projects ranging from writing a novella to investigating the use of AI screening methods for dementia. Our programme is designed to enthuse students and provide them with an additional layer of community to aid their development rather than add superfluous pressure to students.
For students in the Lower and Middle Schools, the academic scholars’ programme involves Scholars’ breakfasts each half term, annual scholars’ trips, Trinity Extension Award competition and Afternoon TEA celebration (excluding Fifth Year), Festival of Ideas Conference, half termly Mitre Lectures.
Our Scholars’ Breakfasts give students an opportunity to move beyond the confine of specific subjects and to explore topics they won’t normally cover at their age. These breakfasts also provide an opportunity to come together as a community of scholars for some insightful discussion and pastries. In the 2024/25 academic year students have looked at political messaging in the US election and the role of ethics in science.
All academic scholars in the Lower and Middle School are expected to complete the Trinity Extension Award (TEA), which involves writing an independently researched essay or creating an artefact. The TEA aligns with the Extended Project Qualification that we offer to all students in the Sixth Form. Prize-winners are announced at our annual Festival of Ideas conference, where we welcome leading figures from a range of academic and other disciplines to Trinity.
The Festival of Ideas is a time for the whole school community to celebrate the achievements of our pupils in different disciplines.
The festival aims to support the development of a life-long love of learning through a dynamic environment in which the school’s community can be creative, curious and collaborative.
Each year, the festival focuses on a specific theme, such as “Alternative Perspectives” or “Imagine.
A key component of the festival is the Festival of Ideas Conference, which features inspirational talks and discussions on the year’s theme, often featuring leaders from various fields.
In the Sixth Form, the academic scholars’ programme focuses on intellectual leadership.
As well as attending lectures, seminars, and workshops in their chosen subjects, we encourage our Sixth Form academic scholars to lead society talks, enter external competitions, and provide mentoring to younger students. Sixth Form scholars also attend our Mitre Lecture series; these lectures are designed to give students an insight into some of the most topical debates of the day through talks given by leading academics or experts in their field.
