From the very beginning of their time at Sussex House, boys are immersed in a diverse range of subjects. From deep courses in essential topics to intellectually stimulating lessons in languages and the arts, boys are encouraged to think in different ways and develop their own perspectives. Our diverse range of subjects, combined with an in-depth teaching style going far beyond the syllabus, is the basis for our academic success.
Learn moreHead of Department: Mr. D. I. Becker
Taught by: Dr. N. K. Rizopoulou, Miss J. G. Doherty
From the formation of seeds
in a sunflower, to the propulsion of the rocket that sent man to the
moon — these are two concepts that seem as if they could not be any more
distant from each other, yet are connected by one omnipresent subject:
maths. Mathematics changes how we see the world, creating structure and
giving reason to what would otherwise be a chaotic discord of a reality.
From the most basic concepts of adding and subtracting, to the most
complex manners of expression and thinking that exist today — maths has
it all, allowing boys to consider the world in a way no other subject
would allow them to.
In a civilisation growing ever closer to fields such as technology,
architectural development, space, and business, the need for maths is
now more than ever; mathematics allows us to gain new perspectives when
considering even the most mundane objects, allowing the mind into an
all-new style of thinking. It is maths which helps us think
analytically, forming the minds of boys to recognise problems and find
solutions in a structured and systematic manner, calling on logic and
reason to assist them in their endeavours. Maths is everywhere, after
all.
Head of Department: Mr. T. K. J. Chan
Taught by: M. W. Back, Mrs. A. E. D. Abbott, Miss L. E. Riseborough
English is one of the most important subjects we teach. Not
only does it lay the foundation for modern communication, it also gives
students an outlet for an immense amount of creative expression. This is
particularly evident during events such as our annual poetry competition and
the literary contributions to The Cadogan Magazine. Words are some of
the most effective tools to convey ideas and thoughts; as such, the freedom of
expression which language provides is vital to our approach of teaching
it.
English is one of the richest languages in the world, with
there being dozens of ways to express the same sentiment, akin to there being
thousands of shades of one colour, each a subtle hue. As a result, the field
for creativity and analysis within the language is so vast, thus open to a wide
range of interpretation. Allowing students to analyse words effectively at the
finest level, picking apart the meaning of each word, then reassembling them to
create a cohesive understanding; this is our approach to teaching the language,
allowing boys to appreciate the richness of English for themselves.
Head of Department: Mr. P. D. Jordaan
Taught by: Mr. J. E. P. Cumaraswamy
Finding the solutions to
problems, and gaining explanations to the most fascinating parts of our
world — these are aspects of human life that have existed for centuries,
ever since the development of civilisation. These discoveries, and the
overall strive to explain and discuss all that goes on in our universe —
this is the driving force of science.
Science is, of all the subjects, the most crucial when it comes to
understanding the world around us. It allows students to see the
everyday world in a way they never could before: the moon turns from a
white circle to a floating rock in orbit upon a sea of gravity; a tree
turns from a figure of brown and green to the upholder of a diverse
ecosystem; water turns from a clear liquid to a chemical compound of
noble gases. This sense of perspective and understanding of the world we
live in is what makes science so beneficial, and has defined our
progress as a race. Science is only becoming increasingly important in
the modern world, and will continue to do so, as we grow to understand a
growing amount of what life truly is. To continue this cycle of
discovery, passing on the wonder of science to the next generation is
critical; it is this motivation that defines our passion for the subject
at Sussex House.
Head of Department: Mrs. S. S. Dayman-Larbaoui
Taught by: Mrs. A Cristache
French is optional for some 6th formers in the scholarship set.
French represents the gateway into an entirely new culture. By learning the language, boys not only familiarise themselves with an all new sense of vocabulary and grammar to further invigorate their minds, but they also get much closer to a rich history, an incredible cuisine and a global superpower. The benefits of learning a language are numerous, improving cognitive ability, memory, communication skills and cultural appreciation, though the study of French in particular adds an overwhelming sense of utility. 275 million people across the globe speak French, meaning that through the simple study of this language, boys can effectively get to know an extensive number of cultures, cuisines, art and clothing in what is one of the most diverse bodies of people in the world: the French speaking community. Considering this, learning French is an absolute necessity, a tool which will help the boys appreciate aspects of human life that they would never have tapped in with before — and do so while being able to pick a good beret from a bad one!
After having some doubts about the French language, I was pleasantly surprised to discover the fascinating literature of a language previously cryptic to me. Vive les baguettes! -- Dominic M, 6th former
Head of Department: Mr. T. H. Neal
Latin is optional for some 6th formers in the scholarship set.
As the language of the Romans, Latin is the key to unlocking the literature, culture and civilisation of classical antiquity — doing so is the primary reason we study the language, allowing boys to read a wealth of some of the best literature in history in its original form. The influence of Latin on the grammars and vocabularies of many European languages is also vast; thus, a firm grasp of Latin can be a great aid both to the learning of modern Romance languages, and to the understanding of much of the grammar and spelling of English itself. Finally, the study of an ancient language as such acts as an excellent trainer of the mind, the catalyst for immense amounts of stimulation and interest from students.
Head of Department: Mr. T. H. Neal
Greek is optional in the 5th and 6th forms.
Greek is learnt as the ideal complement to Latin, a subject of interest for similar reasons; to unlock the treasures of ancient literature, thus being able to gaze into the minds of some of the greatest philosophers of all time; to gain an understanding of the daily life in the ancients and the many intriguing historical events which took place; and for its own sake, as a beautiful and subtle language with its own alphabet, rhythms and charm.
Head of Department: Mr. G. A. Hulks
History is optional for some 6th formers in the scholarship set.
History, in many respects, defines human kind — it is a direct representation of the past itself, after all. Said past defines and shapes the present; numerous moral principles, accepted behaviours, well-established laws, and political idealisms — as well as modern society itself — are, therefore, defined by history. History is a crucial demonstration of our development as a race, the study of which can bring great clarity to our present state. The study of History works constantly in tandem with other disciplines, in both the Arts and Sciences, to weave a narrative that both informs and enlightens us. Our study encompasses the social and economic twists and turns of centuries of shared history, from the Battle of Quebec to the Industrial Revolution. Its intellectual essentiality is colossal, and its ability to reflect the past from a romantic (though effective) point of view is unprecedented.
Head of Department: Mr. S. P. McIntyre
Geography is optional for some 6th formers in the scholarship set.
Geography aims to encourage candidates to use a wide range of skills to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world. Understanding the many cultures, places, and countries that shape our world is crucial to boys developing a global perspective, and this is precisely what Geography achieves. Geography is a hugely vast subject, covering everything from economy and finance to the spread of disease and the shape of a river — as a result, the sheer diversity in the topics it leads students to discover makes for an incredibly fascinating course. These topics include: places, their locations and patterns; processes, including environmental change; and the concept of sustainable development. At the end of this course, the next time it rains, boys will be able to explain exactly why, even going so far as to discuss cloud types and rainfall patterns! And this is only one of many revelations this subject will bring them.
Head of Department: Canon. R. G. Rainford
Divinity is optional for some 6th formers in the scholarship set.
The Religious Studies syllabus is centred on a textual study of selected passages from the Old and New Testaments and from this, moral, philosophical, social and historical themes emerge. These form a major cornerstone of western culture (informing the study of art, architecture, music and literature) as well as underlining an ethical code for daily life within the school and beyond. The subject is particularly significant at Sussex House due to the school’s Church of England status. Having said that, boys of all denominations and religions are very much made to feel welcome in our study. The style is informative and exploratory, rather than dogmatic, and there is always room for the sharing of diverse religious traditions.