General Studies
Qui non ardent non incendit
'He who is not alight, cannot fire others' is the motto of the General Studies programme at Cokethorpe School, and was the favourite maxim of the great post war educational thinker, John Friend. It attempts to encapsulate the spirit in which our lecture programme is delivered. That spirit is multiple in character: classically, as part of the rounding of the whole person; inspirationally, as one of just a few breaths students take as they come to terms with the world they will live, manage and eventually lead. To draw out the metaphor: we want our students over the year of enrichment lectures, to cough with surprise, huff with disapproval, wheeze in perplexity and finally gasp in delight. As such, it is essential that General Studies is not taught in a traditional classroom situation, but rather delivered by hearing from people who have achieved significantly in their own lives, or who have an area of expertise that can be meaningfully shared. It is not an examined subject.
Attendance at General Studies lectures is compulsory for all in the Sixth Form, and talks take precedence over lessons. They occur during the third lesson of either a Tuesday or a Thursday. Many staff that can attend do so. Most talks take place in The Shed, starting promptly at 11:20am, and are formal in nature. Speakers are formally introduced and the guest then presents for about 40 minutes before taking questions from the audience. The Head Boy or Girl then provides the closing vote of thanks from the floor, thus ending the hour long session.
General Studies lectures are listed in advance in the calendar, internally via posters and briefing messages and, of course, on the Blue Boards and the school webpage. We aim for six lectures per year. The programme is inspired by holistic thinking, and so holistic in structure, its themes being:
• English Language/Literature
• Individuals and Societies
• Maths and Computer Sciences
• The Arts
• Experimental Sciences
• Epistemology
• Creativity, Sport, Service
To see a list of speakers for the academic year 2009-2010 click here.
To see feedback and photos from previous general studies lectures click here.
The Head of General Studies, Mr Elkin-Jones, is always interested to take recommendations and suggestions for future speakers. Guest speakers are normally invited to lunch after the lecture for an hour with the Head of General Studies and a small group of staff selected for the occasion. Thereafter, the Headmaster is pleased to take coffee or tea with the speaker in his study before they depart. The Head of General Studies can be contacted on imej@cokethorpe.org.
Caption: Linda Hart with Mr Elkin-Jones and Elizabeth Cranham
Caption: Dale le Vack
Cokethorpe Former Pupil 1958-1962
Sixth Form
About the Sixth Form 
General Studies 
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