The Arete Programme overarches every aspect of school life at The Laurels. It is not just another set of lessons but rather a way of learning, studying, thinking and living. The Arete Programme has a personal and a civic aspect helping pupils’ personal flourishing and social relationships. The programme helps pupils bring different parts of their learning and life together to help them be the best they can be.
The Arete programme is delivered both throughout school life and specifically in Arete lessons which are designed around 5 key themes:
Women Who Lead
This focuses on the tools and virtues that we need to be leaders in all aspects of our lives and how this can be focused not on personal gain but on service to others.
Women Who Love
This focuses on emotional intelligence, the meaning of love in all its richness and the fostering of healthy and fulfilling relationships both in and beyond the school
Women Who Work
In addition to careers and study skills, this also addresses the challenges and opportunities of the work environment today and the virtues needed to thrive and succeed.
Women Who Think
This includes thinking skills, philosophy and debating and is built around core intellectual virtues.
Women Who Grow
This includes aspects of spiritual and moral growth as well as cultural development - learning to appreciate the good, the true and the beautiful.
So what is Arete?
Arete is a concept that was central within the ancient Greek world. In ancient Greek thought, Arete is a philosophical concept that means "excellence" of any kind. In its original context, this understanding of “excellence” is connected to the fulfillment of each person’s purpose. Arete is the act of living up to one's full potential.
The ancient philosophers associated Arete with bravery, but more often with effectiveness. It is someone who is able to use all their faculties – social, intellectual, emotional – to achieve a life well-lived. Arete means a pursuit of excellence in order to fulfill one’s purpose.