Lydia Ridding and Sam Orciel, English Subject Advisors

Throughout  May, across our social channels we shared powerful, personal reflections from teachers and colleagues on why they #LoveEnglish. This blog brings together those reasons and stories – a brilliant reminder of just how special this subject is.

We know that, for some, passion for English is starting to fade. Our Striking the Balance report raised concerns about the subject’s falling popularity, with the GCSE contributing to a decline in uptake at A Level and beyond. But English is – and always has been – about so much more than assessments. It’s about stories that move us. Words that stay with us. The characters, conversations and questions that help us explore who we are. English sparks creativity, sharpens our thinking and equips us with invaluable skills for life. 

English opens our eyes to new worlds

Cassie Martin, Head of English at The King's School Gloucester, says she loves how the subject can expand students’ horizons:

“The thing I love most about English is the power of language and imagination – it unlocks our potential and gives everyone a voice. Reading helps us to live a thousand lives vicariously and helps us to see the world as it is, was and could be.” 

Rina Chauhan, English and Media teacher at Beauchamp College, finds fulfilment in helping students explore and better understand both the past and the present: 

“Each piece of literature offers a unique perspective shaped by its historical, cultural, and social context. By delving into these, we can understand how different influences shape the narratives and characters we study

“I love relating the content we study to real life and the present day... Whether it’s examining the impact of technology on society through dystopian fiction or exploring themes of social justice in classic novels, literature provides a lens through which we can better understand our world.”

The invaluable “eye-opening” power of English is a sentiment Product Manager for Support Propositions, Nicola Raphael, who spent 15 years in the classroom and now develops resources for qualifications such as English, echoes: 

“English is a window to the world. The power of the written word has the potential to make you laugh, make you cry, make you do something or act a certain way. For me, the best thing about English is that you can go into the classroom and all read the same words or text, but have a completely different interpretation.”

English helps students find their voice

English is also deeply personal. It helps students shape and share their own ideas, and gives them the confidence to express them – something Rina also values highly: 

“In our classroom, we create an environment where everyone feels comfortable expressing their thoughts and feelings. This open dialogue encourages students to engage with the material on a deeper level, fostering critical thinking and empathy.”

Similarly, Assistant Principal and English Teacher Oliver Rowe, a fellow member of the Beauchamp College team, loves the way English sparks open, engaged and passionate discussion: 

“The greatest privilege for me is to watch students passionately share their ideas and debate them with their peers, forming compelling arguments and engaged analysis of language. In a society that can feel apathetic towards reading, I see it as my job to make students of all abilities and experiences care about the texts they are reading and see them as important and relevant.” 

OCR’s Lisa Coar, Head of Product Support, Propositions and Strategic Partnerships, agrees. A former teacher, she values how English creates space for students to realise that their voices truly matter: 

“There are not many subjects where ‘wrong answers’ don’t exist. But, in English, that is generally the case. 

“For me, it’s the lightbulb moments where students realise that this is the case, that their interpretations, ideas, thoughts and opinions matter. That is the most rewarding part of sharing English with students.”

English gives students the power of language

And English doesn’t just open minds. It equips students with the skills to express themselves and navigate the world with clarity and confidence. 

Madeleine Champagnie, Innovation Lead and Head of English at Thames Christian School, describes English as developing vital skills that young people need today: 

“It’s more important than ever that as humans we can wield the weaponry of words – through the creation of beautiful text, through laser sharp analysis and through critique that comes from soul-level understanding... It is a privilege to explore the discipline with young people.” 

Empowering students to use language effectively is something that our Product Designer Samantha Tibbs – who spent a decade teaching English before joining us to work on the development of our qualifications – is passionate about too:

“What I love about English is its versatility, its diversity and the fact it’s more than just books and stories. It’s about foundational language as well. 

“By studying English and the beauty of language, you’re able to understand how it works, how to manipulate it and how to use it, its nuances and its biases. When you have this knowledge, you can do anything at all.”

English inspires us through stories

Another reason many of our contributors #LoveEnglish is the simple, profound power of stories. This is something Lisa sees clearly: 

“Perhaps it’s easier to talk about what ‘English’ is not? It’s not grammar. Or memorising quotes. It’s not decoding vocabulary, or comprehension. English is something much bigger than essential life skills. It’s about reveling in the stories that shape us, connect us, comfort us, inspire us. It’s about learning how to use words in ways that empower, instill peace, provoke protest or engender change.” 

And for us, our love of English started with stories – and that’s a love that’s never left. For Sam, storytelling is at the heart of it all: 

“The thing I love most about English is that it’s full of infinite possibilities. It’s being creative and using your own language to tell your own stories. Then it’s also about hearing, reading, seeing the stories of others. And in the classroom, the real joy is seeing that all come together with whole groups of really diverse students.” 

While Lydia’s love of stories began early – and led to a career in English: 

“The thing I love most about English is stories. Ever since I was a really young child, I’ve loved fairy stories and then, when I started school, story-time was my favourite thing, with books like Charlotte’s Web and Stig of the Dump. I wanted to become an English teacher to share my love of stories and how stories work with students.”

Have your say and shape the future of English

We hope these reflections have inspired you as much as they inspired us. Whether it’s discovering new worlds, finding your voice, unlocking the power of language, or being moved by unforgettable stories – there’s so much to celebrate. 

We’d love to keep this conversation going. As part of our planning for the future of English qualifications, we’re keen to hear the views and opinions of a wide range of English teachers. If you’d like to be involved and help shape the future of the subject, please sign up to our Insight Panel – we promise, it only takes a few minutes – and explore the activities and discussions in our English Advisory Group.

Stay connected

Have questions about our English qualifications? You can email us at english@ocr.org.uk or message us on X @OCR_English.

You can also sign up to subject updates to keep up with the latest news, updates and resources.

If you are considering teaching any of our qualifications, use the online form to let us know, so that we can help you with more information.

About the authors

Prior to joining OCR in June 2023, Lydia spent 20 years working in a range of sixth form colleges across the country, teaching A Level and GCSE qualifications in English. She was a coursework moderator with OCR for a number of years and has an MA in Victorian Studies from Birkbeck University. 

Before joining OCR in September 2022, Sam spent ten years teaching a range of English qualifications in secondary schools, including as a head of department. She did this alongside completing a MSt in Advanced Subject Teaching at the University of Cambridge, specialising in A Level English curricula and pedagogy.