From the participation of the able-bodied in paralympian events, to the increasing use of AI in criminal investigations and the chemical imbalance in the frontal lobes of murderers, the young students examined the fundamental issues facing society's key decision makers.
Undertaken by the Year 12 students at the top Macclesfield school, the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is aimed at engaging, enthusing and exciting students by allowing them to explore in depth topics of their own choosing.
King's Head of Extended Studies Gemma Cunliffe, said: "Designed to be an introduction to university life, it gives students a wider scope by enabling them to master skills they will need both at university and in later life including planning, research, analysis, presentation and time-management."
Gemma, who is also Head of Year 12, added: "It takes up quite a chunk of their time, but it's fascinating to see the research journeys the students go on and the incredible range of topics they choose, all of them highly significant in today's society."
After six months preparation, a record 94 Sixth Form students presented their work, completing their 5,000-word essays with a lecture to formal assessors and a presentation stand for teachers, governors, friends and parents to view.
Student Harry Smith, who is on the UK's wheelchair basketball talent pathway, with an eye to competing at the Paralympics in 2028 and 2032, examined the challenges of policing qualification for paralympic events. Harry, who is studying Economics and Psychology at A Level with a Diploma in Sport, said: "Disabled sports were created to help injured second war soldiers adapt to their new lives as a form of therapy. However, to enable the sports to grow, more and more seemingly able bodied people are taking part and that is causing great friction in the community. We want competition. We want to be inclusive and we need the numbers for the sports to grow, but just where do you draw the line."
Evie Thomas, who is studying Business, Economics and Politics at A Level, examined the increasing use of AI technology in criminal investigations. "AI does help with investigations. For example, enabling much faster transcontinental facial recognition but trust in the Police is very low worldwide, and as AI is a new black box technology without tight accountable controls and it might exacerbate that lack of trust in law enforcement."
Ella Moss, who is studying Art, Politics and Business, assessed whether murderers were born or made and highlighted the findings of distinguished American neuroscientist James Fallon, who had a history of homicidal behaviour in his own family. Ella said: "Men, and it is mainly men, who show an imbalance of the chemical MAOAG in their frontal lobes tend to be more aggressive. James Fallon knew he too had this imbalance, but concluded that as he came from a supportive, loving background, it had not been triggered. Its nature and nurture. If children are brought up in a challenging, violent and disruptive environment, they are much more likely to become murderers, but a chemical imbalance will increase the likelihood even more."
Surya Vasanth, who is studying Geography, Mathematics and Biology at A Level, and is looking at apprenticeships or a Biomedical Sciences degree, assessed the effect of sanctions, particularly on Russia, arguing there were three major deterrents: Economic, Political and Humanitarian and that penalising the oligarchs such as Roman Abramovich had largely been window dressing, while putting a cap on the price of Russian oil had damaged their military platform. He said: "More could be done. The West has gone so far, but perhaps not far enough."
Keen sportsman Ed Hammond, who is studying Economics, Geography and Chemistry A Levels looked at sports administrators increasing awareness of the long-term impact of multiple concussions. Conducting his own research, he found that those who participated in sport had a 60 per cent chance of suffering a concussion, but that reduced dramatically to 10 per cent in non-sports people.
"As we have become more aware of potential damage more cases are being reported. Gone are the days when you were just told to run it off." He looked at importance of both protective equipment and regulation. For example prohibiting those under 12 heading footballs in their practice sessions. "I am passionate about sport and would never want to be denied my opportunities to compete, but I have become much more safety conscious through this study."