In our last 'A Conversation With... ' of this half term, we talk to English Teacher, Mrs Eleanor Hallam who talks about her passion for English and reading. Mrs Hallam along with Mrs Green is currently in the process of launching 'BookTok' which is a fun way for pupils to share book reviews in TikTok style videos. In her spare time she loves spending time with her dog Noodle and her family as well as baking!
What is your role and how long have you been at Shiplake?
I am an English teacher and Orchard tutor. I have taught across the age range from 11-18 but currently I teach Years 7-11, with responsibility for KS3 English. I’ve been at Shiplake since September 2007.
Where were you previously?
Previously I was an Assistant Housemistress and English teacher at the Leys School Cambridge, prior to that an English teacher at Bablake School in Coventry. Whilst my children were very young I did some part time teaching in the Art Department at Amersham and Wycombe College, working alongside Mrs Krause from the Art Department here at Shiplake.
What is the best thing about Shiplake?
The people I work with and the palpable feeling of being a family around school. I’m very fortunate that my department is incredibly supportive and an amazing team of people - I’d liken us to the Winnie The Pooh family - you can work out who is who! Another favourite thing is the Year 7 English trip to Harry Potter World!
What do you love most about English and what inspired you to become a teacher?
English was the only A Level that I really enjoyed! I was lucky to attend a Woodard School, with a dynamic Headmaster who put me forward for a post-Year 13 ESU scholarship to the Stony Brook School in Long Island in the US. I’d never been abroad, but set off for New York aged 18. I loved studying American Literature and History, and discovered that Aberystwyth University offered a course in English and American Lit, with the option to study Welsh Literature - the course of my dreams!
I loved studying DH Lawrence at A Level, and interviewed his only surviving relative Peggy Needham, who lived not far from my grandparents’ home. The other key authors growing up were KM Peyton, The Flambards trilogy (who could not have fallen in love with the gentlemanly Will and his rogue brother Mark!), Frances Hodgson Burnett‘s Secret Garden and Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights (I grew up just south of Leeds), and Joan Lingard’s novels set in the Troubles and the relationship between Kevin (Catholic) and Sadie (Protestant). Literature mirrors every day events but uses language in exciting ways to explore and illuminate all manner of things.
At school my favourite teachers were Alan James and Wendy Bain, both English teachers at Worksop College - closely followed by Nick Kitchen who taught me history A Level. Mr James took our A Level English group to see The Pogues & Kirsty McColl at Birmingham NEC - legend! Mrs Bain and Mr James took us to theatre productions all over the Midlands to encourage our love of literature and drama. I loved them to bits!
You have recently launched BookTok to encourage a love of reading. Can you tell us a bit more about it?
Book Tok is a shared initiative with Mrs Green. Prior to Accelerated Reader being introduced to the College, I had set up the Gold, Silver and Bronze Reading Awards to encourage a love of reading at KS3. Reading is such a vital part of any student’s education - much like sport, it impacts across the curriculum. Did you know that 20 minute of reading per day can have the same effect as an extra year of school? It's the tide that can raise all boats - ie raise achievement in all subjects. I’d like to see a 20 minute slot in the school day, where tutors and students have dedicated reading time and share recommended reads.
Book Tok is basically people doing book reviews on TikTok. Lower School have embraced sharing their ideas on short videos that they have made independently and then shared with Mrs Green and me. They will be shared on the school website and social media channels soon. So far I have had to read at least six new books to keep up with their recommendations. And each one has been a great read!
We’ve also participated in the Bishop Stortford College Festival of Reading and enjoyed online live interviews with a number of authors.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I’m a great lover of the outdoors and have family in north and south Wales, so visiting and exploring the regions is really important to me. We have a cross breed springer spaniel/poodle - a Spoodle called Noodle who requires lots of exercise. I was very involved in Park Run, prior to Covid and hope to go back to regular volunteering now that I have had my fourth jab. I love visiting Cardiff, the city where both our children have been/are currently studying (both were students at Shiplake). I love cooking/baking - my department benefits from my cake experiments. Cake-pops have proven popular with my tutor groups!
What does the future hold for Mrs Hallam?
I am excited about Shiplake becoming co-educational and working with my colleagues on developing the English curriculum to accommodate this.
I hope to travel once again - maybe take our campervan across Scandinavia or Europe. I’d like to travel to west coast Canada again.
I’m looking forward to attending our son’s graduation now that restrictions are lifting.
I’m looking forward to not wearing face masks.
