Christmas Term Lectures
Our Academic Lecture Series has offered pupils the opportunity to explore a diverse range of subjects this half-term, with talks spanning literature, psychology, climate science, technology and Wrekin’s own history.
Organised by Mr Smith and Mrs McMahon, the series welcomes speakers from a variety of backgrounds to share their knowledge, challenge pupils’ thinking and introduce them to ideas beyond the curriculum. We were also pleased to welcome back several members of the Wrekin community, including three Old Wrekinians who shared their experiences and expertise.
The programme began with Dr Roberts exploring 'The Poisons of Agatha Christie', followed by Mr Southall’s lecture, 'A Psychological Analysis of….'
Dr Paul Green then turned the focus to the environment with 'What Can Earth Observation Satellites Tell Us About a Changing Climate?', exploring how satellite observations can help us understand changes taking place across our planet.
Literature was the focus of the next lecture, as Mrs Boulter, Head of English and Drama, presented 'Freud and Marx: New Perspectives on Of Mice and Men', offering pupils fresh perspectives on the well-known text.
We were delighted to welcome back Martin Humphreys (Y. 1975–1980), whose 30-year career in civil engineering has taken him around the world, working on a variety of transport infrastructure projects. Having also worked for the World Bank in Washington, where he now lives, Richard shared insights into his international career and the projects that have shaped it.
Alasdair Thompson, Old Wreinian, (T. 1987–1992) also returned to Wrekin to explore the breadth of opportunities available in the technology sector. After studying Chemical Engineering at the University of Manchester and pursuing a career at PwC, Alasdair introduced pupils to roles including cyber security specialist, data analyst, software engineer and platform engineer, highlighting the different routes into this fast-moving industry.
The series concluded with a nostalgic look at Wrekin in the 1970s, as Old Wrekinian Simon Flint (S. 1970–1974) returned with a collection of photographs documenting the school during his time here. The images prompted a fascinating look at how Wrekin has changed over the decades, offering pupils a glimpse into the school’s past.
From scientific discovery and literary interpretation to global careers and school history, this half-term’s programme has encouraged pupils to think more widely, ask questions and discover something new. We are grateful to all our speakers for sharing their time, knowledge and experiences with the Wrekin community.
Martin Humphreys (Y. 1975–1980)
Alasdair Thompson (T. 1987–1992)
Simon Flint (S. 1970–1974)
Discovering career possibilities
The Futures lecture programme has given pupils valuable insight into a variety of industries and the different routes into employment.
Alex Colley visited Wrekin to share his career journey and introduce pupils to engineering and Defence Nuclear. He explored the range of pathways into the sector, including degree apprenticeships, which combine higher-level study with practical workplace experience. His talk highlighted the opportunities available through the Ministry of Defence and the wider engineering industry, encouraging pupils to consider the different routes available beyond the traditional university pathway.
David Bird, from Impact Data, introduced pupils to marketing within the hospitality industry. His talk explored TalkBox and demonstrated how marketing, data and technology can work together to engage customers and help hospitality businesses grow.
Pupils also had the opportunity to learn about careers in veterinary practice and animal welfare, further broadening their understanding of the professional options available to them.
