Over the years, many influential visitors — like Professor Robert Winston and Dr Jenny Lunt — have given inspiring talks at Derbyshire’s Repton School. Most recently, in October 2024, Repton welcomed Rolls-Royce’s Group President Chris Cholerton, who gave a thought-provoking talk to A Level, GCSE, and CTEC pupils studying business and the sciences.
Cholerton heads up Rolls-Royce’s global nuclear operations, including Rolls-Royce Submarines. He is also the CEO of Rolls-Royce SMR (Small Modular Reactors). He is a key figure in the UK’s aerospace engineering and nuclear power space.
Chris Cholerton’s Inspiring Talk – During his talk, Cholerton introduced pupils to Rolls-Royce’s business strategies and innovative engineering processes. The pupils were especially interested in how businesses approach risk management and diversification, focusing on profitability and maximising efficiency.
Cholerton also discussed the ever-changing modern workplace, advising pupils to adopt a growth mindset, be adaptable, and say yes to opportunities with confidence.
He introduced various career pathways, explaining the practical and academic benefits that Rolls-Royce’s degree apprenticeships offer young people who want to work in business, technology, and engineering.
Cholerton closed the talk with a question-and-answer session, in which pupils asked a variety of thoughtful questions.
The talk proved popular with the pupils, many of whom are interested in pursuing STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) careers.
Real-World Experiences for Pupils at Repton School Cholerton’s talk is one of many examples of Repton School providing pupils with access to industry leaders and real-world learning experiences. The School’s Academic Enrichment Programme provides all pupils with opportunities to attend talks and events and partake in competitions and workshops.
These opportunities often encourage pupils to get involved in hands-on learning activities, such as designing and developing an F24+ car. When pupils engage in real-world scenarios, they strengthen their problem-solving skills and prepare themselves for life beyond school.
Repton’s state-of-the-art facilities contribute to the hands-on learning approach that the School fosters. For example, the Science Priory has an observatory and an exotic animal room. Meanwhile, the Design and Technology and Art departments have practical workshops, a studio, and a dark room.
Pupils also enjoy real-world learning experiences through Repton’s societies, Extended Project Qualification, and Future Leaders Programme.
Repton School’s Societies Pupils enjoy being members of a range of societies where they learn through activity. Examples include the Medsoc members, who have taken part in a fracture workshop with a leading orthopaedic surgeon. Meanwhile, the Engineering Society has designed and built a functioning hovercraft.
Some of Repton’s other societies include:
- Art: The Fashion Show Society and Studio Film Society. Life drawing and Art Booster Sessions are also on offer.
- Science: The Chemistry, Engineering, and Psychology Societies. There are also a variety of Biology, Chemistry, and Psychology Clinics for different age groups.
- Business and Economics: The Business Society, Business Booster Sessions, and the Sixth Form Economics Clinic.
- Classics: The Classical Society and Classics Clinics.
- Design and Technology: The Design Society and Design Clinic.
- Drama and Music: The Technical Theatre Arts Society, Drama Clinic, Fast Track GCSE Music, and Music Accompaniment and Aural Sessions.
- English: The Literary Society, Book Club, and English Support Clinic. There are also From the Page to the Stage Sessions, IELTS lessons, and English as an Additional Language Support Sessions.
- Geography, History, and Politics: The Geography Society, Geography Clinic, and Marriott Society. There are also History and Politics Clinics for different age groups.
- Physical Education: The PE Society and PE Clinic.
- Religious Studies: The Hampshire Society and RS Clinic.
- Mathematics: The Ferguson Society, UKMT Club, Mathematics Booster Session, and STEP/MAT Support.
- Modern Foreign Languages: The MFL Society and MFL Clinic.
- Personalised Learning: Prep Support and Learning Support Workshops.
- Other: The Feminist, Chess, Debating, Ramsey, and Temple Societies. There’s also the Christian Forum, Model United Nations, and Repton Pride and LGBTQ+.
The pupils themselves initiated many of these societies.
Extended Project Qualification Lower Sixth pupils set themselves apart as university candidates by taking the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). This qualification combines self-led research with a practical element, allowing pupils to research a topic that interests them.
Repton pupils have investigated subjects like women’s rights in Iraq after the 2003 U.S. invasion, the neurobiology behind humans’ spoken language acquisition, and the evolving gender stereotypes in Disney princess films.
Future Leaders Lower Sixth pupils also complete Repton’s Future Leaders Programme, which prepares them for life in university, the workplace, and the wider world.
Pupils receive two lessons a week. In the first, they study one of three courses for eight weeks. During the second lesson, they focus on their research skills and the EPQ. When they complete all three courses — Public Speaking, Higher Education and Careers, and Lecture Series — they finish the programme.
