Ethic Cup Finalists

Huge congratulations to Caterham’s Ethics Cup team who, once again this year, made their way to the National Finals at the University of St Andrews for more civil discourse about topical issues. The team of Lower Sixth pupils performed exceptionally well, responding to feedback from the judges after each match and working as a team supporting each other through some tough competition. Competing against 11 regional winners from across the country, our team demonstrated exceptional analytical thinking, moral reasoning, and collaboration. Their ability to tackle probing questions, challenge opposing ideas respectfully, and think on their feet was on display in every match. This year the trophy has been passed to Reading School after an exhilarating final, and we look forward to next year’s competition.

A Competition of Intellect, Integrity, and Collaboration

Luke K reminisces: As we set off from King’s Cross, busily reviewing cases, we were filled with a mix of excitement and nerves. Along the journey, we made some final additions to our knowledge while taking in the surreal scenery of Scotland’s coastline and its vivid yellow meadows. After the long trip to St Andrews, we enjoyed a well-earned dinner of pizza, pasta and delicious dessert before heading back to our rooms to rest ahead of the big day.

Game day soon arrived. After a quick breakfast, we made our way to the University of St Andrews, where we met fellow competitors, toured the campus and gained a glimpse into student life. Once the draw was completed, we faced our first match against Manchester High School for Girls, who proved to be impressive opponents. The judges posed challenging questions on the ethics of whole-life sentences, particularly whether they can be justified in light of significant changes in a prisoner’s character over time. Although we lost this round, it only strengthened our determination.

Our next match was against The Grammar School at Leeds, who went on to become runners-up in the competition. We debated whether cruises – an inherently luxurious activity – are morally permissible during the climate crisis, and were delighted to come out on top.

Feeling encouraged, we headed into town for a quick lunch before returning to campus for our third and fourth matches against St Cuthbert Catholic School and Exeter College. Judged by Crown Court judges and a former member of the executive cabinet, these rounds were particularly intense. We were thrilled to win both matches, and our confidence and team spirit were at an all-time high.

Our final match was against Woodhouse College, who were leading our group at the time. The case asked whether someone is morally responsible for holding a small share in an unethical company through an ETF. Despite strong arguments and thoughtful responses, we narrowly lost. However, we were proud to achieve an impressive score of 41 out of 45 from one of the judges.

After all the scores were tallied, we unfortunately did not progress to the final. We watched as Reading Grammar School and The Grammar School at Leeds competed in a closely contested and highly impressive final, showcasing exceptional public speaking skills. Reading Grammar School ultimately took the cup in a decision that came down to the final judge’s vote.

To round off the experience, we had a fish and chip dinner and enjoyed an ice cream (for which our thanks go to Tim Powell for the generous treat!) and a beautiful sunset overlooking the sea – a perfect end to an unforgettable trip.

I am incredibly proud of the team, who dedicated so much of their time both in and out of school. I would also like to thank the P&T department for this opportunity, and give special thanks to Mrs Rounds and Mrs Webster for their invaluable support and guidance in preparing us for the competition.

The Team comprised of Lower Sixth students Seth B, Luke K, Marusia E, Cosmo L, Shannon T, Olha M, Louise L, Anson L, and Alfred Y. Many thanks also to the 25 or so students who regularly attend our weekly Ethics Cup Co-curricular club who have contributed so positively and been so integral to the success of this competition.

Some reflections from Marusia E and Cosmo L: 

Going to Scotland for the Ethics Cup at St Andrews was such a memorable experience. What I enjoyed most was how collaborative everything was and how our group worked together to tackle some difficult ethical issues. The cases were especially interesting because they focused on real-world questions about moral responsibility, which made the discussions feel relevant and genuinely thought-provoking.

One moment I’ll remember was the night before the competition, when we were all debating what stance to take on one of the cases. While our discussions were always robust, they were also enormously fun, and it felt so good to work positively and effectively as a team.

The competition itself was a great chance to challenge myself and take part in meaningful discussions with other students. But the camaraderie was by the far the best outcome. One of the best parts of the trip was going out for food afterwards and celebrating with some amazing ice cream after all our hard work. 

Ethics Cup was an incredibly valuable experience in enabling me to learn how to frame my arguments in a more concise, diplomatic way and we felt very fortunate to visit St. Andrews for the finals.