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English

"I assert literature to contain the materials which suffice for … making us know ourselves and the world."  (Matthew Arnold, poet and Inspector of Schools)

"There is nothing outside text."  (Jacques Derrida, critic and philosopher)

The skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening are of vital importance for a pupil's future, making English a uniquely important school subject, underpinning a successful academic career at all levels.  English gives its students not only the resources through which they will arrive at a greater understanding of their world and themselves, but also the ways and means through which they communicate that understanding, in practical or imaginative forms. 

Proficiency as a reader and writer can add immeasurably to an individual's chances in many careers, and life generally:  a love of literature - prose, poetry and drama - helps bring young people into a cultured adult community.  At King's we bear all this in mind, sharing the intention of inspiring imaginations and interest, while ensuring that the compulsory study of English and English Literature in the 3rd form and GCSE develops critical and analytical reading and listening, and equips all young people with accurate and expressive communication skills. 

All pupils in the 3rd form study English for four periods each week, in streamed forms.  In GCSE years, pupils are taught in five streamed sets.  The vast majority take WJEC English Language and English Literature as separate GCSEs;  for some pupils a core GCSE in English, combining elements of Language and Literature, may be judged the better option.  At AS and A level, pupils can opt to take English Literature following the OCR specification;  English is a popular subject at this level, studied with great success over recent years.

Beyond the classroom, the library is a vital resource for all pupils, and the English Department integrates private reading into the curriculum, particularly at 3rd and 4th form, and 6th form level, encouraging pupils to borrow books and to read for pleasure. Research reading skills are also taught. Theatre trips are for all age groups an important part of bringing drama texts to life, and feature regularly in the English department calendar.  When possible, we take pupils to see the settings of the works they study, such as Bath for Jane Austen, or Hardy Country.  The English Society invites all 6th form studying the subject to events each term, which combine literature with a social occasion.  Outside speakers are also invited to address the society.  The department runs the college online news magazine, Pelican Brief, to which pupils in all years are encouraged to contribute.  The annual Poetry Recitation Competition sees all pupils in school compete for year group prizes, and as the culminating event, these winners recite their entries to the whole school.

Staff profiles

Toby Smith is head of department, and read English at Cambridge, then taught English as a Foreign Language in Russia and Paris for four years before completing his PGCE at Bristol University.  He joined King's College in 2007.  He is also Scholars' Tutor, responsible for academic scholars in the lower school, and an assistant tutor in Tuckwell house.  He enjoys exploring literature, fiction and non-fiction, from a wide range of eras and cultures, and has a personal enthusiasm, generally shared by his classes, for poetry study.  He makes a determined effort to find time for reading in term time, but would struggle to name his favourite writer.

John Lee read English at Exeter University, then took a PGCE at Liverpool University.  He joined King's in 1972 and became Head of the English Department in 1975.  He surrendered this position to become Housemaster of Bishop Fox house.  Subsequently he became Head of Careers, with responsibility for careers advice and university applications, and he is currently also Senior Tutor.  He was also an A Level and AS Level examiner for several years.  He has taught most literature on syllabuses past and present, but is always looking for original and interesting combinations of texts, and new techniques with which to engage the imaginations of current pupils. 

Anna Butler completed a degree in English Literature with Media and Communication Studies at Middlesex University, then while training for her PGCE at Exeter University, was placed at King's, and once qualified, soon returned, feeling very at home here.  This is now literally the case as she is Housemistress of Taylor house.  The School Librarian for two years, she has helped with the design of the new library to be housed in The Philip Richards Centre, and hopes the exciting project will encourage more pupils to read for pleasure.  Mrs Butler teaches every year group, and also has a particular interest in drama - she is heavily involved with the local Pantomime Society, The Wayfarers, and helps out with school productions when time allows.

Emma Forward studied English at St Hugh's College, Oxford, and completed a PGCE at Exeter University.  She taught in a London comprehensive school for three years before joining King's College in September 2009.  Emma teaches all age groups, but revels particularly in 6th form teaching with a particular focus on essay technique;  she enjoys pre-20th century literature and has an interest in linguistics.  She organises school debating and public speaking activities, and outside King's she is a lay member of the General Synod of the Church of England.  Emma is also Deputy Housemistress in Taylor house. 

Karen Cole studied English at Swansea University, and later completed her PGCE at Exeter.  She is Head of Learning Support, but teaches English at GCSE and A level within the English department.

Click here for details of the 3rd form curriculum

Click here for details of the GCSE course

Click here for details of the A Level course