Providing fundamental tools for life, the English Department seeks to nurture, enrich and cultivate a love of reading and writing, establishing an ability to communicate in a clear, controlled and effective manner.
While many are involved in using the English language, with various degrees of care, it is in their English classes that pupils are called upon to refine and develop their own, and to decipher with increasing sophistication the language of others. We offer a gateway to life and the world.
Our subject specialists are all experienced teachers, with diverse interests and an infectious enthusiasm for all areas of the subject: reading, writing and speaking and listening. We nourish our students with a range of literature; we foster intellectual debate and inquiry; and we introduce critical thinking and an ability to analyse language in depth from Year 7 upwards. We are able to focus on thinking and writing creatively and to develop the imagination of all the pupils – for coursework, for pleasure and for publication.
All pupils take English Language and the vast majority English Literature at GCSE. Individual teachers choose material to suit the needs of the classes they teach. Unlike most independent schools, we offer English Language as well as English Literature at A-Level. English Language allows pupils to consider uses of language apart from literature, and concentrates on journalistic writing and the analysis of spoken English. It is often taken by those specialising in the sciences who understand the importance of communication in contemporary society. In A-Level Literature, discussion, argument and analysis of literary texts are part of a creative process by which we reformulate our own understanding through works which put our assumptions about the world into question.
Blundell’s School is proud to release A Blundell’s Christmas, a collection of carols performed by choirs from Year 4 to Year 13. Now streaming on Spotify, the album showcases our pupils’ remarkable talent and celebrates a year of musical highlights, including performances at Exeter Cathedral, Bath Abbey, a summer tour to Italy, and Choral Evensong at Westminster Abbey.
Blundell’s is thrilled to announce our investment in The Wellbeing Hub by Teen Tips, a comprehensive resource dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of our Senior School community. With expert-led, evidence-based tools, The Wellbeing Hub will empower pupils, parents, and staff with guidance and resources to support students’ social, emotional, and educational needs. This initiative underscores our commitment to fostering a supportive environment where everyone can thrive.
During this Autumn Term, our Drama Scholars delivered an impressive Autumn Showcase featuring their examination pieces. The performances spanned Restoration Comedy, Comedy of Manners, Musical Theatre, contemporary works, and original material.
The evening highlighted the scholars’ talent, creativity, and dedication, showcasing the high standard of drama at Blundell’s. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and look forward to seeing their continued growth.
House Music was a highlight of the term, with standout performances from Reuben (Old House) winning the Solo Performance Trophy and Nico (Westlake) earning Best Individual Contribution. North Close won the Ensemble Trophy, and Old House claimed both the House Song and overall titles. Pupils were praised for their energy and effort throughout the event.
An incredible experience for our pupils to sing in one of the world’s most famous churches
Blundell’s School pupils have achieved the school’s highest ever GCSE results, for exams taken under standard conditions.
This extraordinary achievement reflects the unwavering dedication and effort our pupils have poured into their studies.
This season has been a remarkable journey for both the Blundell’s Bulls and Bulldogs basketball teams. The Bulls dominated the league, securing seven consecutive victories with impressive margins against strong opponents. Meanwhile, the inaugural season of the Bulldogs Girls Basketball Team has been equally inspiring. From humble beginnings with just a few eager players, the team has grown into a spirited group of nine.
Blundell’s School is delighted to announce another outstanding set of A-Level results, marking the second consecutive year our pupils have surpassed the significant threshold of 80% A*-B grades, since the return to normal grading post-COVID.
Blundell's School was delighted to host the first U13 South West Development Camp, an innovative and collaborative initiative for county pathway cricket.
11+ Scholarships: Apply Now!
Entrance & Awards Assessments: 18th Jan 2025
11+ Music Awards: 20th Jan 2025