Creative Arts
Creative Arts at Pilgrims’ encourage imagination, expression and confidence, giving boys the opportunity to explore a wide range of artistic and creative disciplines in a vibrant, supportive environment.
GEOGRAPHY
There’s never been a more important time to study Geography. An awareness of the changing climate, social, economic and physical issues is crucial for a better understanding of the world. Debate and discussion are a big part of geography at The Pilgrims’ School. We place a keen emphasis on the ability to empathise with people in different situations and environments around the world.
Geography at Pilgrims’ equips boys with a wide range of skills, from map reading and data analysis to independent research and understanding global cultures and environments.
The curriculum covers key topics such as rivers and coasts, weather and climate, tectonics, population, and sustainability, all designed to encourage connections between subjects and real-world experience.
Learning is highly practical, with regular fieldwork and trips. With the River Itchen, water meadows and the South Downs National Park on the doorstep, boys benefit from rich, hands-on exploration of the world around them.
HISTORY
Set among Roman and medieval history in the heart of ancient Wessex, Pilgrims’ offers a rich and inspiring environment for young historians. Boys are encouraged to question, explore and understand the past, building a strong foundation of key events, people and places.
Studies begin with Ancient Egypt and Greece, before moving through British history, including the Victorians, Roman Britain, the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings. Learning is brought to life through regular trips and hands-on experiences, including visits to historic sites such as Portchester Castle, Fishbourne Roman Villa and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, as well as access to the Winchester College Treasury.
We make full use of the historic surroundings of The Close and strong links with the Cathedral, City Museum and English Heritage. From early years through to Year 8 – when boys visit the D-Day beaches in Normandy – history at Pilgrims’ is immersive, engaging and memorable.
GENERAL STUDIES
Critical thinking, or ‘General Studies’, is the study of all aspects of the world around us, including politics, ethics, culture, technology. Boys are taught to question, debate, speculate – to think for themselves.
Critical thinking begins for with a focus on verbal and non-verbal reasoning for younger boys. In Year 6, we move on to study different human qualities, using, for example, Beowulf and Anne Frank to spark discussions about character traits, motivation, and individual and collective responsibility.
Some of the boys will sit a general paper in their final exam. For these boys in Year 8, critical thinking enables them to construct a discursive argument in response to a question about, for example, the merits of democracy, or the artistic value of modern art. Through critical thinking, boys are taught to value the power and protocol of written and spoken argument, and to draw their own conclusions. They may end up seeing the world differently. They certainly become thinkers.
THEOLOGY, PHILOSOPHY, RELIGION
In an atmosphere of honesty and mutual respect, the boys learn to consider controversial issues sensitively and to reflect thoughtfully and tolerantly about theological, philosophical, and religious ideas, past and present.
Theology, philosophy, and religion (TPR), is studied for the benefits it brings to a boy’s understanding of the world around him and for Common Entrance. It encourages boys to be open-minded and to respect diversity.
The syllabus includes the study of Christianity because of its historical and contemporary influence on British culture, along with Judaism, because of its importance in understanding Christianity and its historical, geographical, and social relevance, along with other faiths and belief systems.
Teaching Philosophy and ethics is a natural progression following the reading of reading Bible stories and we do this in the context of contemporary issues. In Years 7 and 8 boys also study the Great Thinkers, starting with Plato.
Our Location
Set in the heart of Winchester’s Cathedral Close, the school enjoys a unique and peaceful setting between Winchester Cathedral and Winchester College, with the city on its doorstep and the South Downs countryside just beyond.