The philosophy for learning at St Anthony’s draws on the great liberal tradition of acquiring knowledge in mathematics, science, humanities and the arts.

We believe in children knowing and remembering facts but concurrently are a school embracing all that is exciting about the 21st century including coding, robotics and technology. The children in our care will be prepared to face challenges in jobs that are still to be created. 

This aspect of schooling is a familiar one although the approach is characterised by the desire to engage young minds and cultivate a love for learning, achieved through presenting topics through the prism of problem solving and asking pupils to think creatively, about how to tackle the challenge.

Ham & High: Richard Berlie encourages learning by asking pupils to think 'outside the box'Richard Berlie encourages learning by asking pupils to think 'outside the box' (Image: St Anthony's)

This necessitates ‘thinking outside the box’, especially where there are no text-book answers. A history lesson might well ask pupils to wonder how the course of the war in Europe might have changed had Hitler not decided to turn his attention to Russia rather than bombard Britain. Or indeed an RS scheme of work will question whether there is such a thing as objective morality? Should those who earn more be taxed less? Were the lockdowns designed to protect the old over the young? 

What these questions (posed to boys in and out of lessons) have in common, is multiple interpretations that requires engaging with ideas they may never have come across before, challenge previously held beliefs, or both! Encouraging boys to question and challenge is critical in testing the validity of arguments.

Boys quickly learn that in the ‘free-market of ideas’ carefully constructed propositions will hold their own whilst flimsy assertions will sink without a trace.

With no topics considered ‘off limits’ children acquire a number of key life skills. These include coming prepared to a discussion, building resilience and humility (because pupils may have to concede to opposing principles) and most importantly promoting tolerance and respect towards those who hold different beliefs or principles.  

St Anthony’s offers a rigorous and challenging academic education, par excellence, evidenced by prestigious senior school destinations and scholarships. It does so by furnishing young minds with all that is valued in the traditional canons of education whilst preparing a generation for changes that are to come - readying them to create solutions to problems yet unknown.

It is a fine balance navigating between the two modes, Educare and Educere, but one which keeps pupils and teachers alike on their toes.  

Richard Berlie is headmaster of St Anthony's School for Boys, Hampstead.