On Friday 26th September, Year 6 pupils at St Faith’s took part in the launch of an exciting new initiative: C Cubed, a collaborative programme between St Faith’s and The Leys School designed to spark intellectual curiosity, creativity, and connection across the Foundation.

Held in Ashburton Hall, the event introduced pupils to a format inspired by academic societies — a hallmark of enrichment at The Leys — and marked the beginning of a series of thought-provoking sessions that will continue throughout the year.

C Cubed stands for Connection, Curiosity, and Creativity. It’s a programme that encourages pupils to ask big questions, think deeply, and explore ideas in a collaborative environment. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to enrich the upper years at St Faith’s supporting our current pupils in Years 6 to 8.

The theme of the launch event was animals, and pupils were invited to explore open-ended questions such as:

• Are people and animals equally important?
• Are pets members of the family?
• Do we need animals more than they need us?
• Are animals better than humans?

In small breakout groups led by Humanities staff, pupils discussed these questions and fed back in peer-led presentations. They examined topics ranging from animal intelligence and emotional awareness to ethical considerations around pet ownership and the symbolic role of animals in culture.

The event was co-led by Laura Davies, Deputy Head, Academic at St Faith’s and Alex Welby, Head of Academic Enrichment at The Leys. Humanities teachers facilitated breakout discussions, encouraging pupils to listen, collaborate, and think critically. The session concluded with a plenary where pupils shared their insights and reflected on how their thinking had evolved.

C Cubed is just the beginning. Future activities will include essay competitions and lunchtime talks for pupils in Years 6 to 8, offering further opportunities to engage with challenging ideas and develop their academic voice.

St Faith’s is proud to nurture inquisitive minds and foster a love of learning that goes beyond the classroom. C Cubed is a testament to our commitment to preparing pupils not just for exams, but for life.