Tim Brewis, Head of Department

Having graduated from the University of Exeter with a BA Hons in English Literature, Tim began his professional life as a soldier, serving as an infantry Officer in 1st Battalion, The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment. However, several tours of Northern Ireland convinced him that the classroom was infinitely preferable to the interior of a Snatch Landrover. Three inaugural years in the English Department at Cheltenham Ladies’ College gave him a thorough grounding in the trade before he joined Cheltenham College. Now in his fifth year here, he is currently Head of English and Drama. Specialisms include the Gothic, George Eliot, Milton, Sensation Fiction, Thomas Hardy, war poetry (in particular, Wilfred Owen) and Edward Thomas.

Tim is himself an accomplished page poet; he counts Owen, Edward Thomas, Hardy and Norman MacCaig as his strongest influences. He is also a successful performance poet and has been competing in poetry Slams since 2007. Notable slam achievements include: 2010 Cheltenham Science Festival "Slam the Atom" - Runner Up; 2011 Cirencester Big Love Slam – Winner; 2011 Times Cheltenham Literature Festival UK All Stars Poetry Slam! - Winner.

Much of Tim’s material, both page and performance, is war poetry about the recent conflict in Iraq and the on-going conflict in Afghanistan. He also frequently writes about contemporary social issues such as gender stereotyping and the sexualisation of children.

Jane Brodigan, 2nd in department

From Berlin to Cheltenham via Somerset and Zanzibar, Jane Brodigan has taught English in a wide range of educational settings. Her passion and enthusiasm for her subject stems from the fact that she gets to learn about literature and language every day!

Over the years she has taught the full range of subjects within the English spectrum: English Literature, English Language and Media Studies from A Level through the Key Stage 3. She claims the best book ever written is ‘Great Expectations’ - Dickens’ the consummate story-teller keeps us guessing right until the last half of the last sentence! Her favourite work of contemporary fiction is 'Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamandia Ngozi Adichie - tremendous in its characterisation, scope and the beauty of her writing.

One of the most amazing experiences of her life was the time she spent running and supporting teacher-training programmes in Tanzania. Here she witnessed teaching in the most basic of circumstances and it taught her that our minds are indeed our best resource. She believes in the central role education has to play in enabling the individual to achieve what she or he has reason to value.

Karl Cook, BA

Karl was born in Bristol and educated at Clifton College and Southampton University; he won an exchange to the University of Wisconsin in North America to further his English and American Studies degree, and specialise in American Literature. After graduating, he entered the world of coaching as a Professional of Rackets and Real Tennis - where he now chairs the National Schools - before teaching English full-time at College in 1990. Together with his wife, Ruth, and their four boys, he was Housemaster of Leconfield for 15 years, either side of a teaching spell in New Zealand 2005-2006.

From The Cheltonian to the stage, Karl has embraced much creativity away from the classroom whilst enjoying a sanguine involvement at College in matters sporting, coaching rugby and hockey and as master-in-charge of Rackets and senior Tennis. Since 2010, he has been College’s Prep Schools’ Co-ordinator.

Fergus Llewellyn

Fergus Llewellyn has been teaching at College since 2005. He read English at the University of London, flirted briefly with an acting career, before becoming a teacher. Since being at College, Fergus has been Head of English and Drama and is now Housemaster of Newick House. Fergus is especially interested in Chaucer as well as the rise of the modern novel.

Fergus is fully involved in all areas of College life. He is a keen sportsman who coaches rugby and cricket, he sings with the Choir, directs plays when time allows and runs the College Christian Union.

Natalie Wofford

New to College this year is Natalie Wofford who had previously taught English Literature and Language in Somerset, India and Thailand. Having read English at Swansea University, where she received First Class Honours, Natalie took an MA in Shakespeare in History at University College London. Shakespeare Studies, Renaissance Drama and Romanticism are among Natalie’s particular departmental interests.

A keen sportswoman, Natalie coaches both netball and hockey at College and enjoys sailing, riding and skiing.