On the evening of 12th May, 2025, Year 12 students of AKS showcased their remarkable knowledge and understanding during the annual Evening of Inquiry. This event provided a platform for students to present their research and creative endeavours to governors, parents, teachers, and the wider community. The Evening of Inquiry began at 6pm in the Sixth Form Common Room, which was transformed into an impressive exhibition space filled with academic posters and accompanying 2,500-word undergraduate-standard essays. The atmosphere was filled with curiosity and intellectual rigour as attendees explored the diverse range of topics on display and questioned the students on their newfound knowledge.
The essays covered a wide array of subjects, reflecting the students' interests, academic strengths, and future plans. These included ‘Have modern composers run out of ideas?’, ‘The relationship between art and AI: where are we and where are we going?’ and ‘Could the solution to Peto’s Paradox revolutionise cancer treatment?’. The topics of the essays displayed a breadth of thought that was both impressive and enlightening. The informal setting of the Sixth Form Common Room allowed for engaging conversations between the students and interested adults, with the students displaying a high degree of confidence in their subject knowledge and clarity in being able to talk to those with a previous understanding of the topic and those with none. Parents and teachers expressed their admiration for the ability of the students to engage with their interlocutors in a meaningful manner. It was evident that the Inquiry project had not only deepened the students’ understanding of specific topics but also cultivated essential skills such as critical thinking, research, and public speaking.
The Sixth Form Evening of Inquiry was a resounding success and has quickly become one of the academic highlights of the school calendar, highlighting the talent and hard work of the academic scholars at AKS. This event provided a platform for them to share their hard-earned knowledge and it undoubtedly reinforced the value of independent research and the joy of lifelong learning. It was a memorable event that left a lasting impression on all who attended.