I would strongly implore anyone who considers studying English literature in Ashbourne to just go ahead and do it. Coming from a non-English background, I carried within me many insecurities over my insensitivity and inability to comprehend works written in English. Yet, never before was I given such attentive and wise guidance. James’s lectures allow you to explore to your heart’s content the level of depth and multiple ways of seeing a single image. Well, as long as you can make a case for it. But don’t worry, James will not only teach you the way, but also give you the freedom and confidence to stand your ground. He is such a literary aesthete as well, you are thus bound to learn to read (and maybe write) beautifully. However, I do whole-heartedly blame James and Arabella (and Dennis for lending me Foucaul’s Discipline and Punish) for the fact that critical theory has become the cause of my suffering till this very day. It’s fantastic. You won’t regret it. I’d give anything to experience the simple joy of sitting in class, talking about Dickens, again.

I was lucky enough to experience Ashbourne as the right place for me personally, at the right period of time in my life. I had taken an initially unplanned year’s break from structured education before joining, having become disenchanted with being bored by teachers who treated me as someone whose opinions were secondary to whatever was written in a revision guide. I wanted to study in an environment where the mass production of good grades was not the only selling point, but the intellectual nourishment of its students, the ability to allow for interesting conversations, and the encouragement of students to follow their interests and think for themselves in an academic context were too. I only found that Ashbourne was this place after my year off was coming to an end, which put me amongst contemporaries and peers with whom I would not have interacted or socialised had I joined a year earlier.

One excellent aspect of Ashbourne is that you are sure to come into contact with people who are compatible with yourself in all kinds of ways, and as such, I was able to meet individuals who remain my dearest friends, and without whom, life would certainly be less colourful. I was also never tired of having to attend lessons, never bored by the teachers, never made to feel as though I was simply being taught to regurgitate information, but rather that I was being given guidance on how to mature my thought process, and actively engage in the material of my study. I enjoyed all the subjects I took, but English Literature had been and remains the subject by which I am enraptured, and which I could study for a lifetime without it exhausting me.

In the past, my love of literature had never been cultivated by teachers, my niche interests were always overlooked; but at Ashbourne the teachers, the ways in which they made their lessons both informative and interesting, their willingness to speak with me outside lesson times, their recommendation of extra reading I might be interested in, and the super- curricular seminars that they held, all made me feel as though the enrichment of my mind as a student were genuine priorities. It was because of this that I managed to achieve high grades and be offered a scholarship to my first choice of university, and I am indebted to those at Ashbourne who helped me achieve that reality.

During my time studying English Literature at Ashbourne I was challenged to see how far I can develop my academic capabilities. The teachers create an environment where you become curious about your potential as they themselves show such intelligence and capability in their teaching which is quite inspirational and motivating in and of itself. It made a compelling argument for why you should work hard and trust their expertise and guidance. My teachers were incredibly experienced and therefore offered effective and efficient teaching techniques which meant I could focus on just working hard to apply what they were teaching, which involved a good balance of following advice and independent thinking.

Looking back on my time studying English Literature, I realise how A Levels are a very important time to be encouraged to test your expectations or preconceptions about your abilities, as it can really change the trajectory of your path. My time there taught me the habit of not trying to guess or project exactly what your potential is but just put in the hard work and the benefits and progress will always unfold. Years after finishing my English Studies, I am still applying the hard and soft skills that I gained from the course which has given me a lot of freedom to gain new exciting experiences in further unfolding my potential.

The English department at Ashbourne gave me a completely new perspective on literature, expanding my understanding of how it could function and be examined. My teachers in the department always created safe spaces for ideas to be presented, explored and challenged, allowing for exciting literary discussions to take place. By tying the texts that we read to different cultural and political ideas, the department offered a broader and extra-curricular approach to Literature which greatly prepared me for my academic studies at university.

My experience at Ashbourne has been life changing. I have learnt more in this brief moment than at any other point in my life. The college has instilled a thirst for knowledge and an enjoyment of critical thought. Without the care and personal attention I was given I would not be the independent and thorough student which I consider myself to be.  Ashbourne has given me the tools to realise my aspirations, and by being in such a great location I was able to find a wealth of helpful resources and to enjoy every moment of my study.

I thoroughly enjoyed studying English Literature at Ashbourne. The small class sizes allow you to gain an in-depth understanding of the texts because you are able to discuss them closely with your class and teacher. The teachers are so inspiring and very supportive with essays, coursework and exam preparation. Studying English at Ashbourne also exposes you to critical theory and contextual information surrounding the texts, which I found very interesting and enriching. The English department at Ashbourne made me love and appreciate English Literature even more than I did before I started at the college.

English Literature at Ashbourne was a great experience, not only was it very engaging and taught in a digestible manner but it was also thoroughly stimulating. James Wykes and the english department encourage you to learn more about Literature, often going further than the syllabus to teach you new, interesting things. There are additional resources such as the critical thinking seminars or the reading group which allow students to read great classical works or discuss essays that have reframed the Western Canon and society, something you may not be able to explore given the limits of the classroom. There is also a heavy emphasis on independent reading and thinking when it comes to classwork/coursework which allows you to have freedom over your work as well as giving you the opportunity to develop your own ideas. The english team are all very approachable and passionate about their subject, it definitely rubs off and you can feel it in the way they all teach.