9 March 2026
Mrs Katharine Payne, Head of Kritikos (Academic Stretch)
Students in Year 10 recently joined academically curious peers for a day of intellectual exploration titled “Genius: An Exploration into the Renaissance,” held at Caterham School.
Through a series of engaging talks and discussions, students explored the ideas, creativity and cultural transformation that defined the Renaissance. Sessions examined the origins and significance of the period, its classical roots in Greek and Roman culture, and the achievements of its greatest thinkers and artists.
Our students particularly enjoyed how the day connected different disciplines and ideas across time. One reflected, “I really enjoyed how the lectures linked lots of different topics. The Renaissance talk was an intriguing introduction to a period of history I hadn’t explored in detail before.” Another commented that the sessions “worked together coherently and showed why the Renaissance is often described as a cultural rebirth.”
The opportunity to explore literature and art beyond the normal curriculum was especially valued, with a Year 10 student sharing that, “It was an incredible opportunity to expand my history knowledge outside curriculum. I loved learning about Dante exploring hell and it inspired me to look deeper into Dante.” Others appreciated the chance to study topics without exam pressure, noting that the lectures and accompanying booklet allowed them to engage with unfamiliar subjects in depth and sparked curiosity for further research.
The girls also enjoyed meeting peers from other schools and discussing ideas together throughout the day. As one attendee summarised, “As someone who doesn’t take history, art or Latin, it was an incredible opportunity to get immersed in such fascinating knowledge and interact with students from other schools, academically and socially.”
The symposium was an inspiring experience that celebrated curiosity, scholarship and a shared enthusiasm, leaving many of our students eager to continue exploring the literature, art and ideas of the Renaissance.