The Theology, Philosophy and Ethics department has begun a new initiative with the aim of nurturing a creative, pupil-led approach to learning. This year, 4U pupils have been engaged in the process of creating professional quality documentaries on Islam in the modern world. Groups could choose which direction their film would take, with some focussing on British involvement in the Middle East and Islam, as well as studies of Islamophobia in the UK, US and Holland. Pupils were encouraged to be outward looking and to invite experts, scholars and journalists for interviews. The whole aim of the work is to enable pupils to develop skills beyond those traditionally cultivated in the classroom, to take control of their learning and engage with the world outside of Charterhouse's walls. All of this work is pupil-led, with guidance and support from Mr Begbie; pupils choose the direction of the film and interviews are arranged by the pupils themselves.
The results so far have been extraordinary. Pupils have managed to secure interviews with an extraordinary range of significant figures. One group of five (Charles Harrison, Eric Kim, Tony Zhang, Nikolay Fedorov and Gus McLellan) themselves arranged and masterminded an interview last Wednesday with the Indonesian Ambassador at his embassy in Westminster. The insightful questions asked by Eric Kim and Tony Zhang explored the role of Islam in his country, as well as the perception of Islam around the world. The ambassador gave the pupils an hour in his busy schedule to film the interview and he, and his embassy team gave the pupils an exceptionally warm welcome.
On Thursday, a group of five (Morgan Clarke, Jamie Gell, James Taylor, Fredric Clinton and Santiago Guttierez Domenech) themselves secured an interview with Jeremy Bowen, the BBC's Middle East Editor. They filmed a thirty minute interview with Mr Bowen on the third floor of BBC Broadcasting House with a wide-ranging set of questions from James Taylor and Morgan Clarke on British involvement in the Middle East especially after the fall of the Ottoman Empire. Jeremy Bowen spoke about his personal experiences in the middle east as a journalist, giving the group some invaluable first-hand knowledge for their film. He kindly followed the interview with an extensive tour of the BBC News room and studios - an unforgettable experience for the group. Afterwards, the group headed for their second interview of the day with Dr Hassassian at the Palestine Mission in Hammersmith. With probing questions from Fredric Clinton and Jamie Gell, Dr Hassassian supplied some impassioned answers giving them a great insight into the issues he works to address on behalf of his people.
In the coming weeks, other groups have organised interviews with the Ambassador to Jordan, scholars at Oxford University and they will also be speaking to local Muslims at Woking Mosque. This innovative project puts the Theology Department at Charterhouse at the forefront of creative, pupil-led, project-based approaches to learning and has been an extraordinary experience for these brilliant pupils.
The finished films will be shown during Artifex on Thursday 22 June.
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