Over one hundred students from across Meridian Trust academies gathered for an inspiring English enrichment day “Aspire to Be”. The event, in its fifth year, brought students together to ignite enthusiasm for English at A-level and beyond, while providing opportunity to collaborate with peers from other schools in a dynamic and supportive environment.
The day was designed to showcase the richness and relevance of English studies through a series of interactive workshops:
- Exploring Reading Prose, delving into narrative techniques and interpretation
- Drama, including a living discussion on gender and power in A Streetcar Named Desire
- Poetry, examining language and structure
- The Power of Stories, reflecting on how words shape perspectives and society.
Each workshop combined analysis with creativity, encouraging students to share ideas, debate interpretations, and even step into roles during dramatic readings.
The event received overwhelmingly positive feedback from students, with many describing the day as “very interesting,” “inspiring,” and “a new perspective on English literature and language.”
Students praised the passionate, well‑spoken speakers, the opportunity to socialise with peers from other academies, and the chance to engage in meaningful discussion. One student commented, “The teachers were amazing and really inspired me to consider English at A‑level.” Another said, “I enjoyed the drama session – it helped me see theories in action and relate them to real life.”
Crucially, the event appears to have influenced future choices: nearly half of attendees reported they are now likely to take English at A‑level, with several noting the day rekindled their creativity and confidence. Suggestions for our next Enrichment Day included adding more interactive activities, structured mixing between schools, and a short taster of A‑level essay writing—ideas organisers are keen to implement.
Kate Hobden, Assistant Director of English for the trust reflected:
“This event shows the power of collaboration and creativity. When students see English as vibrant and relevant, they start to imagine new possibilities for their future.”
With strong engagement, enthusiastic feedback, and clear impact on progression, “Aspire to Be” demonstrates why experiences like this matter. Plans are already underway to make the next event even bigger and better continuing to inspire the next generation of English scholars.
