“Oh! It is only a novel! … only Cecilia, or Camilla, or Belinda!’ or, in short, only some work in which the most thorough knowledge of human nature, the happiest delineation of its varieties, the liveliest effusions of wit and humour are conveyed to the world in its best chosen language.” - Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey
Students at Cheltenham Ladies’ College join us from a diverse range of backgrounds, cultures and contexts. In our English department, we welcome the ‘Englishes’ that students speak and the breadth of literature that they have experienced. We value reading broadly and diversly; we ensure they can write fluent, evaluative, supported essays; they receive constructive criticism openly – within and beyond the English classroom. Learning is a time to be collaborative, playful and open-minded. In our classrooms, students develop courage, take risks and are not afraid to ask for help. In the wider world, they are able to recognise nuances in meaning, assert boundaries, and seek out alternative and multiple voices. Our microcosm allows them opportunities to practise, to dress-rehearse, to trial and error and to perfect.
Like Jane Austen, we believe that the study of English helps to enrich emotional and imaginative lives, allowing students to develop an awareness of themselves, other human beings and their relationships, and to widen their knowledge of experiences, periods and places other than their own. Learners think critically about the language we find all around us; they express themselves stylishly in reflective, fictional or poetic writing, and can do this regardless of mode: journalistic technique, formal reporting, speechmaking or scriptwriting. We encourage verbal communication skills, including effective collaboration, public speaking, debating and discussion. To encourage this, we have a lively programme of Shakespeare workshops, as well as author visits, storytelling and creative Saturday activities. Successful and well-attended clubs include the Fanthorpe Society, Creative Writing Club and Debating Society.
Our English department offers a multicultural, reflective, dialogic curriculum, promoting self-awareness, integrity and joy.
This is where we ‘sow the seeds’ and ‘nurture the soil’. Students are encouraged to read widely, study a rich variety of texts, develop skills of literacy and oral expression, and write for differing audiences.
By now, we will have embedded ‘roots’ and students will be ‘branching out’. Learners study both GCSE English Language and English Literature. The English Language GCSE includes writing, speaking and listening tasks, language analysis and textual comparison of fiction and non-fiction texts from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. The GCSE English Literature course includes close study of 19th Century literature, poetry, a modern novel or drama text and Shakespeare.
Time to ‘bloom’! English Literature is studied at A Level and as part of the IB. Students study a wonderful range of texts and write coursework on texts of their choice.
Head of English: Ms Amy Meyrick
Second in Department: Mrs Heather Richens BA
IB Co-ordinator: Miss Sarah Hadfield MA
Lower College Co-ordinator: Mrs Rachel Dallibar MA
Ms Gayle Bennett
Miss Cassie Brown BA CELTA
Dr Charlotte Campton BA MA PhD
Miss Xara Davies
Miss Jo Dunphy
Mr Nicholas Garrard
Miss Sarah Harrop
Dr Nichola Haydon BA MA PhD
Miss Beth Lomax MA
Mrs Laura Siller BA MSc
Miss Alice Thomson BA MA CELTA
Dr Claire Wilkinson
Mrs Jo Wintle
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