Welcome back for season 2 of the ASK podcast, where once again we're hoping to help you 'Attain Secret Knowledge.'   

This episode fits that description perfectly: we learn about a different side to Niccolò Machiavelli, less 'Machiavellian' than one might expect, AND we learn some inside information about our Assistant Head in our new 'quick fire questions' segment. For one thing, he doesn't like crisps!  

Thanks to Dan A, Xavier A and Finn B of Year 13 for being excellent questioners and to our very distinguished guest, Mr Sammels for coming on to be interrogated. As per usual, Mr Mark Till and I (Mrs Jenni Summers) had a fabulous time creating this podcast, so we hope that you enjoy it. Finally, thanks to our brilliant tech team, including Tom H, Aman S and Barnaby M-S.

Remember to follow us @JHGSEnglish @JHGSHW and, of course, please subscribe to our YouTube channel! Pop us an email to [email protected] if you have thoughts on future topics, teachers or to put yourself forward as a questioner.

Ever thought about diving headfirst into a topic that fills you with excitement and intrigue? This week, four of our brightest year 12s do just that on a diversity of topics: dark matter research; whether we should teach Shakespeare in schools; the 2008 financial crash and the safety of rollercoasters.

Once you've 'attained secret knowledge' with us, make sure you subscribe to the channel; follow us @JHGSEnglish and @JHGSHW for updates; follow us on Spotify and share the podcast with as many of your friends and family as you can!

This week, look through the lens of a microscope and into the world of the research laboratory with our esteemed guest and Head of Science, Dr Anthony Bullard. There's certainly plenty of secret knowledge to attain with us this week, including plenty of hints and tips for those applying to university in the near future. 

Follow us @JHGSEnglish , @JHGS_Science and @JHGSHW for regular podcast updates and please give us a comment below to let us know your ideas for topics, panellists, guests and perhaps even new segments! Why not subscribe to our YouTube Channel too?

This week is a special bonus recording of the JHGS Pratchett's Society's debate on the function of religion. Chaired by Aman, it's a passionate discussion between Year 12s Joe, Luke and Dan on the 'proposition' and Felix, Finn and Nik of the 'opposition'. It's a feisty affair and well worth a listen!  

As ever, please subscribe to the channel and follow @JHGSEnglish and @JHGSHW for instant updates on this and future episodes.   

DISCLAIMER: Apologies for the sound quality here; we had to record with windows and the door open in the debating classroom, which meant you've got the lovely ambient sounds of lunch time joy in the background! 

Coming up next are mathematics and science-themed episodes, so watch this space!

Feel transported to the sunny idylls of Italy this week on the ASK podcast as Mr Langridge talks fascinatingly about his theory that Shakespeare spent some of his 'lost years' exploring the country and absorbing the culture.

Remember to follow us @JHGSEnglish and @JHGSHW for regular podcast updates and give us a comment below to let us know your ideas for topics, panellists, guests and perhaps even new segments!

Dear listeners, Mr Till and I couldn't resist having another wide-ranging discussion, this time about the intersections between science and literature. We cover quite an expanse of writers here, from Richard Dawkins, Bill Bryson and Sir Stephen Hawking to George Eliot, H.G. Wells and Mary Shelley, to name but a few.

There is also the announcement of the winner of our inaugural competition to win a Blackwell's book shop voucher, so listen out for that!

As ever, we hope you enjoy listening and encourage you to subscribe, follow and review us whenever and wherever you can. On Twitter, receive updates via @JHGSEnglish and follow our brilliant science colleagues at @JHGS_Science.

*Note: Please excuse any dodgy sound levels in the audio: we recorded this remotely and it's safe to say that I am no expert at editing!*

We've gone rogue! Having had podcast withdrawal symptoms, Mr Till and I decided to record our independent chat about all things cross-curricular in the bonus ASK podcast thing week. As ever, we hope you attain some secret knowledge with us, perhaps gaining insight into the idea of the glass bead game, the importance of understanding how the life of women in Northern Ireland was impacted by the Troubles or even why Shakespeare really explored mental health long before it's become common practice. Not to mention, Mr Till mentions prizes...

As ever, please do follow @JHGSEnglish and @JHGSHW for the latest podcast updates; subscribe to us on YouTube (under Jenni Summers) and give us a rating or a review. Have a lovely half term... Look out for (hopefully) another bonus podcast during the half term break.

Welcome back to the ASK podcast, where we hope you'll attain yet more secret knowledge with our fantastic staff and teachers and John Hampden Grammar School, High Wycombe.  

Things take a dark, reflective turn this week as we look at Jewish resistance during the Holocaust in WW2, particularly centring around life in the ghettos. We also explore the topic of Anti-Semitism, which seems to be rearing its ugly head in modern political discourse.  

Our brilliant history teacher Miss Beth Labonte is our guest this week, with knowledgeable panellists Aman of Y12, James of Y13 and Classroom Assistant, Mr James Hoggett.

Make sure that you sign up to @JHGSEnglish and @JHGSHistory for updates and new episodes of the podcast. And subscribe to get immediate notification of when the next episode will drop.

Dreaming of a sandy beach in the sun? Mrs Fiona Tremelling is on the ASK podcast this week to challenge us all to set our imaginations towards adventure and the creation incredible memories at the same time, whether that be a walk with your dog in the woods or exploring the beauteous wilds of Antarctica.  

Be sure to follow us on @JHGSEnglish and @JHGSGeog and pop us a comment too. Suggestions for future topics and guests, as well as responses to Mr Till's quiz clues, are most welcome!

You've made it to episode two of the ASK (Attain Secret Knowledge) podcast. Congratulations!  

This week, we have the incredibly talented and knowledgeable Mrs Helen Livingstone taking us into the gruesome and frankly bizarre stories of the history of witchcraft. She's joined by our panel of three wizards from Year 12, Dan, Ewan and Tom.  

Follow us for updates on @JHGSEnglish and @JHGSHistory and subscribe to our YouTube channel (https://youtu.be/kdgxB_acNAM) to receive the episodes as soon as they're published.