Are you interested in current affairs? Do you want to develop your critical thinking and communication skills when talking about the news?
There are 30 places available for year 12 students across The Harris Federation and Harris Westminster to take part in a current affairs discussion programme from The Economist Educational Foundation. The programme will run from December 2025- March 2026.
You’ll be trained in how to effectively engage with current affairs and how to facilitate open-minded discussions with a group of your peers about the topics in the news that you all feel most passionate about.
Programme milestones
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November 3
Application deadline
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December 11
Attend a training day at The Economist Newspaper, Charing Cross
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January - February
Prepare and facilitate peer-to-peer discussions in school. Join online feedback session 1.
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February - March
2x events to bring together students from across Harris to discuss current affairs. Join online feedback session 2.
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March
Certificates issued. Opportunity to have article published in Harris Topical Talk publication.
What will I get from the programme?
A day of learning at The Economist Newspaper in Charing Cross
- Learn about the key skills required to critically engage with current affairs and communicate effectively in discussions about the news
- Hear from journalists and staff at The Economist Group about how to develop sound opinions through engaging with information and perspectives
- Practice deliberation techniques and activities on a specific news topic
- Plan how and when you’ll run peer to peer deliberations in their schools
A digital subscription to The Economist and access to The Economist news Apps
You’ll be gifted a digital subscription to The Economist Newspaper and the Espresso App so that you can access trusted current affairs content
Support to plan and facilitate peer discussions about current affairs in your schools
You’ll facilitate regular current affairs discussions with peers at school. The Economist Educational Foundation will run online support sessions and visit some of your schools to help support your discussions
Advanced critical thinking and communication skills
You’ll develop critical thinking and communication skills and will be able to apply these to current affairs. You’ll also be supported to reflect on these skills and to be able to articulate them in university or job applications
An opportunity to write about your experiences and have this published
A Harris Topical Talk Magazine will be published in summer 2026. A selection of written pieces from sixth from students who participated in this programme will be included
Certification for completing the programme from The Economist Educational Foundation
The Economist brand has a strong reputation and association with any educational programmes will help you stand out in university or job applications