Eltham's Heritage

Eltham College was founded in 1842 as the School for the Sons of Missionaries. It began life as a small boarding school catering for children of missionaries serving overseas - in India, China and Africa. It moved to its present extensive site, 36 acres of playing fields surrounding an elegant 18th century mansion, in Mottingham in 1912. Since the 1950s the College has become primarily a day school for boys with a co-educational Sixth Form.

An awareness of others' needs and misfortunes is an ever-present element in Eltham's ethos. Community Service is an important part of the Sixth Form Curriculum, with every student spending time working with the elderly or handicapped, or assisting in care-homes and local primary schools.

Pupils in the Charities Committee organise many fund-raising activities each term for worthy causes of a local, national and international focus. One example of support for others is our link with three village schools in Nepal: as well as regular financial aid, one large expedition and subsequent GAP-year students as visitors have provided help to Nepalese children.

The College's most famous former pupils, Eric Liddell, the Olympic sprinter, and Mervyn Peake, author of the Gormenghast trilogy, were both sons of Missionaries. The link with the missionary background continues through our House System, the names of the four Houses referring to four missionaries who travelled the world: David Livingstone in Africa, William Carey in India, James Chalmers in Papua New Guinea, and Robert Moffat in Southern Africa. The House system provides many opportunities for all members of the school community to take part in intra-mural competitions, and for senior students to develop their leadership and organizational skills.

The Chapel remains a potent symbol of our heritage: it is the spiritual heart of the College, with daily acts of worship being led by the Chaplain, Headmaster, visiting speakers or other staff. The Chapel window, designed by a parent, places the images of our missionary past next to the education of children in a modern world. Central to the whole window are the images of Eric Liddell and the magnificent plane tree which dominates the College site.