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Reading
Hollywood Wall of Fame
How it Works!
Ghengis Khan Trilogy
Catcher in the Rye
Cat's Cradle
The Warlord Chronicles
Gone with the Wind
Piece of Cake
The Mayor of Casterbridge
Blood River
Birdsong
Captain Corelli's Mandolin
The Firm
Get Ahead Get Reading
Barnwell School has a dedicated team of English teachers working with the students to help them achieve their potential.
Reading for pleasure and reading for study have always been at the heart of the work undertaken by the students in English, but there is now a school wide focus on improving the reading skills of our students.
Every student has access to an ever growing collection of literature in the school Library, and now we have a designated reading room where students can go and enjoy their favourite book or share their stories with others. Each student also has a timetabled reading lesson every week as well as their English lessons.
We believe that reading is a critical life skill that can make the difference to success both academically and personally and constantly strive to promote and support it’s value across the school.
As a Department we are actively seen to be advocating the value of reading and literacy skills. We aim to enrich the students experience of Literature as well as focussing on key skills within these activities.
Ms Pellen, Learning Leader of English adds "It is observed that children and teenagers who love reading have comparatively higher IQs. They are more creative and do better in school and at university. Reading helps in mental development and is known to stimulate the muscles of the eyes. Reading is an activity that involves greater levels of concentration and adds to the conversational skills of the reader. It enhances the knowledge acquired, consistently. The habit of reading also helps readers to decipher new words and phrases that they come across in everyday conversations. The habit can become a healthy addiction. It helps us to stay in-touch with contemporary writers as well as those from the days of yore and makes us sensitive to global issues."
Mrs Spanyol, KS3 Curriculum Leader in English thinks that “Books open the door to different worlds. Where else can you be transported to Hollywood,19th Century Cornwall, the final moments of a football match or Middle Earth in a split second than through the pages of a book? What I have always loved about reading is it’s ability to take you to places you could never hope to visit. Worlds beyond reach and times you can’t remember are all accessible instantly if you choose the right book. They can offer escape and laughter, thrills and heartache. I am never happier than when I find a book that moves me…just ask the students who have seen me shed a tear at the end of ‘Of Mice and Men’!”
Staff favourites:
The English Department:
Mrs Jewitt has read too many books to be able to name just one. “As to a favourite book, this is an impossible question to answer. The book I love most changes from year to year - and my own mood at any one time. Perhaps the most recent pleasure was reading the Genghis Khan trilogy by Conn Iggulden (famous for 'The Dangerous Book for Boys'), as I was able to share and discuss these novels with the males in my household, as well as picking-up some remarkable historical knowledge at the same time. I would highly recommend them for anyone who likes action, the evocation of a past age and colourful characters that make our own leaders look bland and grey.”
Mrs.Spanyol also had trouble chosing just one book. She chose ‘Cat’s Cradle’ by Kurt Vonnegut and “The Catcher In The Rye” by J.D. Salinger. “’Cat’s Cradle’ is full of odd humour that makes me laugh out loud and as a deceptively light-hearted and comical look at what matters to us all and how we view the world, it amazes me every time I pick it up. Vonnegut is far and away my favourite writer. Salinger’s ‘Catcher In The Rye’ is a book that reminds me of so much. I remember reading it the first time in one go when I was about 13 or 14. I should have been asleep and I read it by torchlight…I loved it so much, I did exactly the same the next day. I felt like I had finally been understood by someone…it is one of the books that I firmly believe everyone should read.”
Ms Pellen’s favourite book is 'Gone with the Wind' by Margaret Mitchell “just because of the gloriously flawed three dimensional character of Scarlett O'Hara. I particularly like the image of her surrounded by men vying with each other to bring her food at the barbecue - also her appalling cattiness: 'Why India Wilkes, what a lo-vely dress…why I just can't take my eyes off it!'. She is high maintenance and unconventional and I have always lived by her 'Tomorrow is another day' philosophy. The book also played an important place in film history. The life story of Vivien Leigh (who played Scarlett in the film) and her relationship with Laurence Olivier (one of the most famous and renowned actors of the twentieth century) is also worth a read...”
Miss Cowling is part of the English Department and also Head of Green House on the West Campus. Her favourite book is 'Piece of Cake' by Derek Robinson. “It is a black comedy set during the Second World War and follows the antics of a fighter pilot squadron. I love Derek Robinson's writing. Not only does he incorporate comedy but he has a gritty way of tackling some pretty weighty subjects like death and war. I have recommended and leant this book to a variety of students (usually boys) and they seemed to enjoy it as well. Probably better for KS4 students but parents would enjoy as well. If enjoyed Derek Robinson has written many other books about aviation such as 'Goshawk Squadron' 'Damned Good Show and 'Invasion'.”
The Headteacher:
Ms Swaida’s favourite book is 'The Mayor of Casterbridge' by Thomas Hardy. “It's full of twists and turns and there is no 'happy ending' - much like real life. The characters are so plausible and it's set in Casterbridge (modern day Dorchester) which I visit frequently and love. I walk in the Dorset countryside where Hardy's novels are set - modern day Wessex- and love treading the same paths as so many of his heroes and heroines. Maybe it's the great romantic in me!?”
The Heads of Houses:
Miss Blanchford, Head of Blue House on West Campus chose ‘Blood River’ by Tim Butcher. “Africa is my favourite place and I loved finding out about the Congo, a place nobody can get to visit as it is so dangerous.”
Mr Booth, Head of Purple House on West Campus chose ‘Of Mice and Men’ by John Steinbeck. “I studied it for my English GCSE and it was the first time I had covered a book in so much depth.”
Miss Moore, Head of Franklin House on the East Campus chose “Anything by Jill Mansell – I love chick-lit! Take a chance on me, is probably my favourite.”
Miss Jones, Head of Brunel House on the East Campus chose Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte “because it is a love story about characters with flaws who still have strong dreams and desires.”
Other staff:
Mr Patching is an Assistant Headteacher and responsible for KS3. His favourite book is Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks. “I am fascinated by the 1st and 2nd World War and in particular the ultimate sacrifices made so many men made for their country. This book looks at the life in the trenches during the first World War and in particular the life and loves of a trench tunneller who's job was to dig tunnels from his own trenches underneath the German trenches, set charges, get out and blow them up. This was considered the single most dangerous job in trench warfare. It is a stunning book capturing the horrors of the war but at the same time giving a different perspective through the eyes of a soldier. I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone, especially as I strongly feel that not enough people have an awareness of the sacrifices of the young in wartime.
Mr Roberts is an Assistant Headteacher and teaches Maths. His favourite book is ‘The Firm’ by John Grisham. “Not a classic but it is the book that got me properly into reading at the age of 28. This book drew me in from the start and the pace didn’t allow me to put the book down. The style of writing and content captured my imagination and I have subsequently gone on to read every book that John Grisham has written and branch out to similar authors using online search sites.”
Dr Noakes is an Assistant Headteacher and also teaches in the Science Department. His favourite book is ‘Lord of the Rings’ by JRR Tolkien. “Amazing plot. Deep characterisation. Incredible feat of imagination and creativity.”
Related Documents
- Year 7 Recommended Reads (27kb)
- Year 8 Recommended Reads (25.5kb)
- Year 9 Recommended Reads (30kb)
- Reading Suggestions for KS4 Students 2011 (39.5kb)