Author and former teacher Nicky Hansell gives some of the Richmond School and Sixth Form College students who inspired her, a sneak preview of a book designed to help them study

Former Religious Studies teacher, Nicky Hansell, has returned to Richmond School to help the students who inspired her to write her latest book. Nicky is helping bring philosophy to life with a new book that pits Aristotle against Nietzsche.  She was renowned as a story-teller in class, a technique Nicky used to help students remember philosophical arguments. Former Religious Studies teacher, Nicky Hansell, has returned to Richmond School to help the students who inspired her to write her latest book. Nicky is helping bring philosophy to life with a new book that pits Aristotle against Nietzsche.  She was renowned as a story-teller in class, a technique Nicky used to help students remember philosophical arguments. Now she has put her teaching practice to good effect, inspired by Richmond School and Sixth Form College students, by writing a book that tackles complex philosophical theories, setting them in a more readable context. She left the school in 2011to look after her elderly mother and husband who are both in ill-health, and has spent the past four years working on the book. Nicky brought the first copies off the press to School to give students a sneak preview of an enjoyable study aid. The Sage Train, published on 28th April, brings together history’s greatest minds in the after-life. “I wanted the philosophers dead so I could play around with them,” said Nicky. “It’s a romp around a philosophical landscape with the older, wiser sages, like Aristotle, sorting out the likes of Nietzsche, who is a snivelling creature who hates everyone.  It should be a good revision tool because students will be reading a book that they will remember. When I taught at Richmond I used to tell students stories because that is the best way to remember. This book is also about teaching people to appreciate what makes a good life and it is educational as well as fun.” The School’s Head of Humanities, Margaret Gibson, said: “The book is really clever in being a textbook for A Level Philosophy and Ethics students set in the context of a story.  It is supported by web notes and is a great way for them to access abstract and challenging concepts, where key quotes are woven into a fun story.  It’s great to see Nicky come full circle, and that her teaching here has inspired her to write such a fabulous book, which, in turn, will help them so much with their studies.” The book is available through Castle Hill Bookshop in Richmond or by visiting www.thesagetrain.co.uk.