‘No [woman] can be really esteemed accomplished, who does not… have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages…’
‘…and to all this she must add something more substantial, in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading.’ (Mr Darcy to Miss Bingley in Pride and Prejudice)
Whether or not students choose to pursue English to the highest level, we hope that our students will leave Francis Holland School skilful, confident and perceptive in using English in all its aspects. They are given opportunities to explore varieties of English and are enabled to achieve academic success to their full potential. We hope to instil a lifelong sensitivity to, and pleasure in, literature.
Staff
The Department is run by Mrs Kirsty von Malaisé and comprises two other full-time members of staff, Mrs Katie Cronan and Ms Megan Pryce, and two part-time staff, Mrs Julia Banks and Mrs Pamela Homer Norman. We are a highly qualified team, having undertaken qualifications in addition to our English degrees, in Victorian Studies, Gender Studies, The Victorian Novel, Modern and Contemporary Literature, Psychology, and German. We provide stimulating lessons and academic rigour.
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We achieve excellent results at GCSE, (2009: 79% A*/A in English and 76% A*/A in English Literature) and are a popular choice of subject at A level, where we also have an excellent track record of success, (2009: 90% A grade).