On Friday 22nd March, our Lower Sixth IB students studying geography, economics, and physics travelled to the incredible Drapers Hall in London to be a part of the 2024 Raleigh Lecture hosted by the Company of Entrepreneurs trust.

This year, the topic was Space: an entrepreneur’s paradise? The cohort was astonished by the possibilities in every industry, in every part of the world. They discovered the uses of space to protect our natural resources, maintain agriculture, monitor supply chains, and its importance to national security. Our students were bold and articulate, contributing significantly to group discussions and posing questions to the lecturers. They brilliantly represented BGS amongst a wide variety of attending schools.

Jaina Bharadia (Lower Sixth) said: “The Raleigh Lecture was a great experience that exposed us to networking and understanding the importance of space in our day-to-day lives. I was able to meet new people and share my insights on the economic impact of satellites whilst understanding the challenges that space exploration faces.”

Harriet Whitbread (Lower Sixth) added: “I really enjoyed going to London on Friday. The Raleigh Lecture, run by The Company of Entrepreneurs, gave me an opportunity to learn about space and the current technology used to improve national security, satellite communications, and earth observation. It allowed me to fully understand the current capabilities of space and the speed at which it's developing. The Lecture also gave me the opportunity to network with specialists in the field such as Air Marshal Phil Osborn and Dr Andy Wells and learn how their work has impacted the space industry.”

Martha Ibbott (Lower Sixth) reflected: “The Raleigh Lecture was a very informative event that provided me with great exposure to people who were specialised in the subjects of geography, physics, and economics. The lecture was a great opportunity that highlighted the connection these three specific subjects had towards the topic of space. Amazingly, I had the pleasure to speak with one of the lecturers, Dr Andy Wells, who specialised in geography and gave me advice on extra reading around the subject, as well as how to enter the career fields that geography can lead you to.”