On Monday 3 October, Lower Sixth Formers studying the International Baccalaureate (IB) were joined by the IB cohort from Bedford Girls’ School on a trip to Oxford. They visited the wonderfully eclectic Pitt Rivers Museum and New College, Oxford, as part of the Theory of Knowledge (ToK) aspect of the IB.
The ToK is one of the main components of the IB programme, helping students to understand ‘the nature of knowledge’ and how we know what we claim to know.
During their time at the museum, amongst other observations, they studied the ethical dilemmas that arise when considering the taking of artifacts from their place of origin and displaying them in museums in other countries. For example, some objects at Pitt Rivers are being repatriated or taken off display as the museum decides how to display them in a more sensitive fashion.
Mr Adrian Finch, Director of IB, said, “The group was fascinated by the exhibits at the Pitt Rivers, where they learned how the museum is reconciling its colonial legacy and how it is working to support communities for an inclusive future.”
After lunch, a tour of New College was on the agenda where students were able to explore the inner workings of an Oxbridge college, getting a glimpse of what life could be like if their aspirations led them somewhere similar.
The students were particularly grateful to the Warden of New College and Old Bedfordian Miles Young (63-72), who took time out of his busy day to give them a fantastic, guided tour of the college, including an exclusive visit to the Warden’s lodgings and garden. Mr Young talked about how the college had changed, and how it had been constructed according to changing aesthetic ideas about architecture, as well as changing needs in the student community.
Additionally, this part of the trip was one full of reminiscences for the accompanying staff who both have strong New College links: Mrs Everitt from Bedford Girls’ School and Mr Finch are both former undergraduates.