English Department

The English department is at the heart of Sherborne School. Every boy takes an IGCSE in English language, and also in English literature, and while these are more stretching than the GCSEs, pupils gain excellent results throughout the school. As a result, the A-level is becoming more and more popular, and others happily choose the IB, which includes a study of literature from all times and places.

But the department is about far more than exams and syllabuses. In their first year at the school, boys follow a wide-ranging course that embraces plays, poetry and every sort of prose; they also receive a solid grounding in grammar and learn to become articulate about what they read. Most importantly, they are encouraged to read widely for their own pleasure. We enjoy excellent support from the school's splendid library, where boys find a huge range of books and friendly advice on what to read; and also from the distinguished drama department.

Our teachers also run Agora with an invited membership of third form scholars and the Creative Writing Club run by a member of the department who writes regularly for 'The Daily Telegraph'. Our teachers also nurture Salon where boys and teachers can share their own writing, the C. Day-Lewis Society where they explore literature, whatever its source, from letters to lyrics and the Film Club which is open to Sixth Formers from Sherborne Girls, Leweston and the Gryphon as well as from here. Boys are taken to the theatre regularly, both locally and in London.

In short, the English department touches the lives of all boys at Sherborne, and offers every opportunity to enrich them.

The English Department was recently asked to be a case study for the Cambdridge IGCSE - read more here...

Rebecca de Pelet MA
Head of English