Liberal Studies

As education becomes ever more a government priority and the curriculum consequently grows ever more prescriptive and exam-orientated, Liberal Studies has become an increasingly more important way for students to widen their horizons and broaden their education.

Simply put, Liberal Studies educates those parts other courses cannot teach. Now in its sixth year, the Eltham College Liberal Studies programme is designed to introduce students to a wide range of activities and topics, sometimes only marginally off-curriculum, occasionally off-beat and even sometimes controversial, but all designed to contribute to the making of rounded, grounded, inquisitive and open-minded individuals.

Additionally, the programme serves as an introduction to subjects and activities not covered by the traditional curriculum but still ones that might be followed at a later stage.

Liberal Studies runs between the Autumn and Easter terms and involves all pupils in the Upper Sixth. It is composed of three distinct stands or themes.

Speaker meetings

Eltham is rarely short of external speakers but the Liberal Studies programme hopes to provide provocative and contrasting speakers you would be unlikely to hear elsewhere.
The general principle is challenge preconceived ideas or values and deliver an alternative perspective on contemporary issues.
Speaker meetings take place from 2.05 to 3.15pm in the ABH and attendance is compulsory for all pupils in the Upper Sixth.

Visits

In the second half of the Autumn Term all pupils in the Upper Sixth will have a chance to see plays, operas or other performances which will introduce you to new cultural experiences.
You will be able to choose what you go to see (from a list which is currently being drawn up); your tickets will be paid for by us. If you have any suggestions what should be on the list please see JPF.
All Upper Sixth students will participate in this area of the course.

Taught courses

On Thursday afternoons, during periods 7 and 8, there are courses taught by EC staff and by visiting tutors which cover a variety of cultural and practical themes which pupils will not have encountered in their academic subjects.
You are asked to choose three courses to follow. Each course is taught over seven double periods. Courses will not take place during the Summer Term, or on Thursdays when speaker meetings have been organized.  

Click here for a PowerPoint Presentation about Liberal Studies Courses 2009-10.