Workers’ Educational Association
The UK’s largest voluntary sector provider of adult learning
Course Outline
This course outline describes what will be covered in your course.
It also sets out what you should expect to learn. There will be an opportunity for course
members to discuss the course content with the tutor.
Course Title
The River Thames : Chelsea to Tower Bridge
Course ID
Start date
No. of sessions
C3732719
18/09/2012
10
Tutor
Val Pretlove
Day(s)/time(s)
Tuesdays 10.15
Hours per session
2
Fees
2
Enter fee
amount or N/A
if not applicable
Venue
Braywick Nature Centre, Maidenhead
Branch/Partner
Maidenhead
Branch/Partner
Enter Branch contact details OR Partner Contact Details
contact details
Publicity Description
The River Thames has always been the life-blood of London and was crucial to the development of this
great trading centre. Starting in Chelsea, we will trace its course through Westminster and the City of
London and will explore the riverside, bridges and most of the historic riverside buildings. There will be
one or two visits to the riverside.
Course Aims
To explore the river itself and its importance to London as a world trading centre. To study, in
detail, the riverside buildings and spaces and the bridges.
Main Topics Covered
We will survey the river in sections from Battersea Bridge through Chelsea, Vauxhall and
Westminster to the City of London and then to Tower Bridge
Pre-course preparation, reading, internet research etc.
General background reading and walking in London would be helpful.
There are many useful “River Thames in London” web sites such as
www.thames-explorer.org.uk
TITLE
AUTHOR
PUBLISHER
Walks Along the Thames
Emmons R
New Holland 2001
Path
London’s Bridges
Matthews P
Shire Publications 2008
London:The Biography
Ackroyd P
Vintage 2001
Essential costs/materials
A suitable copy of the London A-Z. Train fares to London for visits
Entry Requirements/Level
Nothing formal – only an interest in the course subject
Title of qualification to N/A
be gained (if any)
Awarding Body (if any) N/A
Teaching and learning methods used
Powerpoint presentations with as much student participation as possible. Question and answer
sessions and an encouragement of personal exploration whenever appropriate. Selection and
discussion of newspaper and magazine articles and reports of relevant TV programmes. One
or two visits to the riverside.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course learners will be able to:
1. Recognise a number of riverside buildings
2. Describe their architectural style
3. Compare and contrast their forms and functions
4. List the bridges between Battersea and Tower Bridges
5. Outline the history of a number of these bridges
6. Define some of the changes in river usage
How will you know you are learning?
By discussing questions and comments with the tutor and other students, by using the internet
to explore and gain confidence in acquiring a good knowledge base
Suggested Further Study and Progression Routes
Read about London and explore it
Brief tutor profile
Val Pretlove has many years experience in Adult Education. She has always been fascinated
by London and is a Registered City of London Guide
If you would like more information about other WEA activities and courses please contact WEA
London and Southern Regions’ Support Centre.
The WEA is committed to equality of opportunity and inclusive learning.
Services for Learners contains information about support and progression opportunities for
learners and will be made available to you when you start your course. However, if you would
like to receive a copy before the start of your course, please telephone the learner enquiry,
freephone line on 0800 328 1060.
S:\WEAMISdata\SR\Outlines\C3732719_outline.doc
You can now enrol and pay online. Go to: www.wea.org.uk
WEA London and Southern Regions' Support Centre
57 Riverside 2, Sir Thomas Longley Road, Rochester, Kent ME2 4DP
Tel: 01634 298600 Fax: 01634 298601 email: london&southernrsc@wea.org.uk
The Workers' Educational Association (WEA) is a charity registered in England and Wales (number 1112775) and in
Scotland (number SC039239) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 2806910).
Registered address: 4 Luke Street, London, EC2A 4XW. www.wea.org.uk