Ruth Robinson

BA; PGCE

Head of English

Why study English? Obviously everyone has to study English and it is vital to gain at least a C grade to progress to higher education. Of course we aim to help our students gain far higher grades than that, but achieving top grades is only one of the aims. We approach English from a literary angle; sharing, enjoying, and analysing the best plays, prose and poetry will hopefully lead to a love of both Language and Literature. As well as focussing on written communication, throughout the school, great emphasis is placed on speaking skills, be it debating, discussion, or individual presentations.

What's a typical English lesson like? In a typical lesson we might have a formal debate (based on the Oxford Union model); share a short story or poem; read a scene of a play; improvise a scene based on something we have read in class; or even revise some basic grammar and punctuation for a special treat. (This last activity is dealt with in regular short bursts, for maximum impact.)

What's the best thing about teaching at Leckford Place? Teaching at Leckford Place is especially rewarding because of the type of pupils the school attracts. They are invariably lively, and real individuals. An indication of the good relationship a small school with small teaching groups fosters is that whenever I meet students in town, for instance, they are always extremely keen to say hello. And this is despite my advanced age!