Cultural Perspectives

Welcome to the world of the ‘cultural perspectives’

Students will choose a cultural perspective per term and each course has one or two sessions per week.

Teachers use their creativity, backgrounds and/or wider interest to design a cultural perspective course that appeals to students. Students must choose and stay on board their chosen cultural experience. It is not an opt-in. 

We design these perspectives to particularly:

• encourage creativity and wider reading
• spark interest and generate a sense of ‘awe and wonder’ around a topic or event
• give students genuine opportunities to talk, debate and show leadership
• be rooted in spiritual, moral, social and cultural education.

Students also have to submit a final response to the cultural perspective session. It doesn’t necessarily follow the response has to be an essay! The response expected will reflect the cultural perspective itself, naturally blending with the topic, delivery and content of the course itself. It could be a presentation, artefact, dramatic piece – who knows?

The teacher’s judgement on the quality of the response will be included in our reports to parents and feedback to students.

Here are the titles of the current cultural perspectives:

• UNESCO World Heritage – Immaterial culture and its significance for humanity
• Exploring China
• General First Aid course
• Global Gratitude: Mindfulness Practices from Around the World
• Film Club: 6 Films that reflect their time and environment
• Impressionism to photo realism: An exploration into the creative genius of artists such as Renoir, Manet and Cezanne.
• The Manbox
• Predictions of the future: What will our world look like in five years time?
• The Moral Maze: What are your answers to today's tricky questions?
• Do prisons work?
• Curious Cases of the Human Brain
• Writing and Producing Music
• The enjoyment of being both clever and interesting
• Suceeding in Science at University
• Creative Writing: Fiction
• Medicine, Dentistry & UCAT Preparation
• When Women Elevate

What students have had to say about Cultural Perspectives this year:

The discussions have broadened my perspectives and encouraged me to confront complex societal issues with courage and empathy

This Cultural Perspective has helped me realize the importance of being interested in things outside of academics.

Through this course, I’ve not only prepared for the challenges of university but also the joy of lifelong learning.