Subject Spotlight: English at Kilgraston

Subject Spotlight: English at Kilgraston

Ms Hall tells us more about: English at Kilgraston

English is a subject that has at its heart discussion; Kilgraston is the place that allows discussion to flourish with the girls assertively articulating their views in an environment that encourages full participation. It is a source of pride that we do not have quiet classrooms with passive listeners. Much of the discussion arises from the sparks that literature provides us with in abundance. Advanced Higher students have delighted in discussing class divisions, the position of women and the unconventional and aspirational hope for love in marriage following their close comparative study of ‘Far from the Madding Crowd’ and ‘Pride and Prejudice’. Higher students, as they do each year, relished the study of Tennesse Williams’ ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ with the conflict between two characters, representing two contrasting world views, inspiring much heated debate. Blanche, the central female character, is arguably one of the finest dramatic creations that ranks alongside the likes of Lady Macbeth, and she never fails to provoke powerful reactions in our girls.

The Lower and Upper Fifth girls similarly enjoy the discussion that arises from their study of ‘Of Mice and Men’. Curley’s wife’s character is always understood by the girls who feel the injustice of her treatment keenly. Likewise, the plight of all the characters leads to in-depth and enriching discussion on race, the futility of the American Dream during the Great Depression and the enduring power of friendship. ‘Journey’s End’ also leads to great interest in WWI and it is wonderful to see the girls using their knowledge gained from History to inform their understanding of this most poignant play. Other texts studied at National 5 include ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and Ms Hall’s favourite for the philosophical debate it provokes on the nature of humankind, ‘Lord of the Flies’.

Texts in the early years of the senior school are equally academic in their rigour with the likes of ‘Animal Farm’ and ‘The Merchant of Venice’ being studied. These are mighty texts that the girls derive great enjoyment from. Pleasure in reading is central to what the English department does. Subsequently we balance these classics with modern writing that is of the highest calibre and is simply brilliant to read. Upper fourth, many of whom were staunch ‘Non-readers’ at the beginning of the year, all read and loved the thrill of ‘Uncle Montague’s Tales of Terror’, wonderfully crafted short stories, written in an accessible gothic style. Lower fourth had the pleasure of Louis Sacher’s modern classic, ‘Holes’, a carefully crafted novel that plays with time and narrative perspective and yet remains a page-turner; it was eagerly devoured by the girls.

We are fortunate at Kilgraston to be able to be responsive to the reading needs of our girls. Our small classes enable us to know our pupils and their needs fully enabling us to choose texts that we know would be most suitable for them. We do love our classics and delight in making those texts accessible (many parents will certainly recognise a few that we study!) but we are not wedded to them; the needs of our girls come first and we take greater satisfaction in finding just the right text that will unlock that love of reading.

Ms Hall, Head of Kilgraston’s English Department