Students at Bedales welcomed the school’s first ever Philosopher in Residence last term, attending lectures on 
philosophy with Professor Keith Ward, Emeritus Regis Professor of Divinity at Oxford University.
Earlier in the term, students enjoyed a visit to China, including the experience of lessons at Chuansha High School in Shanghai.
During Professor Ward’s visit, the students spent time with him in discussions and debates on philosophical questions on such diverse topics as: the nature and possibility of a utopia; whether computers could think; Kant’s ethics; religious language; the existence of evil; quantum physics and the nature of reality.
The students had the opportunity to speak to Keith Ward on a one to one basis to discuss their work, university 
entry and studying philosophy.
The school also hosted a sixth form conference, providing students from both Bedales and Churcher’s College the opportunity to hear Professor Ward’s views on Religion and Science.
Students from Block 5 (Year 11) and 6.1 (sixth form) enjoyed a cultural visit to China earlier in the term with three days in Beijing visiting extraordinary places including the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square and The Forbidden City.
The student and teacher group then travelled by overnight train to Xi’an to see the Terracotta Warriors and various temples and palaces. The visit concluded in Shanghai with a visit to Chuansha High School and participation in lessons, which were all conducted in Chinese.