I joined the English Department at Howell’s in 1998 when I relinquished my post as Head of Sixth Form at Kingston Grammar School in Surrey and previously an academic career in higher education in London. During my teaching career at Howell’s I held various positions of responsibility outside the classroom: as a member of the Senior Management Team I was the Senior Teacher responsible for the pastoral welfare of students, temporary Deputy Head and the Special Educational Needs’ Co-ordinator for both the Junior and Senior Schools. As a specialist English teacher my hope was –and still is - to inspire students of all ages to engage enthusiastically with literature; I consider myself fortunate to be still invited to deliver lectures and talks to Howell’s Scholars and to A level English Literature groups, and indeed to maintain my links with other independent schools and higher education establishments in the area. My post-doctoral research interest is focused on the inter-related disciplines of 19th and 20th century literature and art.