The Aquinas Philosophical Club delivered an impressive performance at the regional round of the National Ethics Cup, held in January at the University of Manchester.
Competing against other high-performing schools, Aquinas students researched and debated a series of pressing and thought-provoking ethical cases. Topics included lowering the voting age, the participation of trans women in sport, the ethics of gene editing in embryos, and how society should respond to large-scale challenges such as climate change. Issues that can often feel complex or overwhelming.
Throughout the competition, students demonstrated confidence, intellectual rigour and a genuine openness to different viewpoints. They embodied Aquinas’ spirit of humble open-mindedness, engaging seriously with opposing arguments while maintaining a strong sense of hope, goodness and ethical responsibility.
The team were narrowly defeated by students from Manchester Grammar School, though one of the academic judges awarded Aquinas a clear win! A testament to the quality of their reasoning and discussion.
The event provided a valuable opportunity for students to apply philosophical thinking beyond the classroom and showcased the strength of ethical debate and critical thinking at Aquinas College.
