English Week at the Senior School saw a range of events and talks, all offering a different response to our stimulus theme: ‘Why words matter.’
On Monday, pupils heard from Bede’s alumnus and barrister Anna Moody. A former English A-level student and Cambridge graduate in English, Anna was able to attest to the real-world value of skills honed in her lessons: skimming and scanning texts, analysing language and developing arguments through discursive writing. For our students, the idea that the law itself is so largely a question of interpretation and argument, all conducted through language, presented something of a revelation. But there were lighter moments too, as students took on our challenge: could they use case notes to prosecute a rather improbable-sounding case of negligence? Though our fictional scenario, involving a lady swallowing a wasp in an unattended shop, seemed absurd, it was actually based on a landmark 1932 case: Donoghue vs. Stephenson. Well done to First Year student Freddie Till, for giving the response that most closely resembled Anna’s own. Her parting advice to would-be barristers was to read as much as they could, and always be aware of nuances in language.
Anna Moody discussed law, language, and the curious legal case of a swallowed snail.
On Tuesday, we launched our new edition of Small Island, our annual gathering of all prize-winning pieces from the three writing competitions we host a year. It was wonderful to be able to celebrate students in all years for their poems, environmental pieces and journalism.
On Tuesday, we also welcomed online journalist and travel writer Gloria Dickie, who took part in a fascinating Q&A on the writer’s craft and helped us award prizes for our FY Exploration Prize-winning writers. Joining us from Bangkok, Dickie talked animatedly about her award-winning study of bear conservation across several contients, Eight Bears, as well as recent journalism for The Guardian, The New York Times, and Scientific American. Given that conversation roved widely, from durian fruit to monitor lizards to disease-carrying insects, our audience seemed stunned by the variety and breadth of Gloria’s different assignments. Here, we were indebted to L6th English student Lexie Pettett for her help in interviewing Gloria.
Gloria Dickie joined us from Bangkok, where she has recently reported for international newspapers on insect swarms, monitor lizards, and the durian fruit trade.
On Wednesday, we caught up with The Guardian’s Manchester football correspondent, Jamie Jackson, back by popular demand after previous interviews. Not only is Jamie the author of two football books, countless football match reports, and a new novel, he is also a huge advocate for all forms of literature. Again, he stressed the importance of wide reading for any would-be writer, nominating Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë and the works of Charles Bukowski as his favourites. Jamie’s challenge - to write up the greatest minute in sport - really appealed to so many of our younger students.
The Guardian football writer Jamie Jackson discussed everything from FA Cup thrillers to Victorian novels and American poetry.
Thursday and Friday saw two more fascinating conversations with former Bedians: Ana Entwistle, who spoke about charity work as a government advisor for Wellcome Trust, and Lily Potter, who gave students insight into strategic marketing at Sky Media. Both these speakers really brought home for students the absolute centrality of the spoken and written word in all professions. Using everyday examples, such as an email to a colleague or a professional review, both speakers helped students see how communicating clearly and convincingly really is amongst the most important attributes any aspiring professional could have. Whilst Ana’s role in the Wellcome Trust frequently sees her harnessing her persuasive skills in speaking to politicians in all parties, Lily explored with us how effective communication was at the heart of all great managers. Lily challenged pupils to write an email letting a long-time colleague know they had not secured a promotion, a task that required not only clarity and honesty but also tact and sensitivity too. It was superb to be assisted in both these interviews by 6th form students Ava Balfour, Ana Sofia Arroyo Aguilera and Emily Edwards.
Alumni Lily Potter and Ana Entwistle gave outstanding examples of where communication and even word choice itself had a huge impact on the success of media and charity projects.
Though ‘English Week’ focused on how the subject actively prepares students for successful careers in any field, several events reminded learners that, at its heart, English still celebrates creativity above all things. As well as the Small Island launch, we were delighted to celebrate creativity at our first ‘Sixth Form Lit Salon’ in the library with performance poetry from Brighton-based artist Rikki Tarascas. With improvised backing of three Bede’s students on drums and keyboards. Rikki introduced students to the rhythms of beat poetry and the counterculture of the 1960s—a fitting choice as our theme was ‘flouting authority’. Students entered into the spirit with their own acts of tongue-in-cheek defiance: fancy dress, outlandish sunglasses, and props. Whilst no animals were admitted, one student brought along a pot plant as a mascot.
Before a live set by artist Rikki Tarascas, students took part in a brief open mic with the theme of ‘flouting authority’.
The whole evening capped off English Week wonderfully, reminding us of the infinite potential of language to not only persuade, influence, and assert ourselves, but also its capacity to elicit joy, playfulness and connection between us all.
