English

Ms Snowdon

Curriculum Leader for English

I have been teaching English since 2006 and began my career in the North East of England. Upon moving across to the North West, after a prolonged maternity leave on the beautiful isle of Jersey, I was lucky enough to find myself joining the English department at Penwortham Girls’ High School. I love teaching English because it provides an opportunity to explore life’s possibilities through a plethora of different texts. My passion is reading as I love the idea that we can immerse ourselves in another world, if only for a fraction of time. My favourite book is Daphne Du Maurier’s ‘Rebecca’ – it was the first novel that I ever read that truly gripped me.

Miss Starkie

Assistant Curriculum Leader for English

I first came to Penwortham Girls’ School as a trainee teacher in 2017 and I was instantly impressed with the enthusiasm and engagement shown by the students. For me, one of the greatest joys of teaching English is seeing how one piece of literature can be interpreted in so many different ways and at this school I am consistently awed by the insightful and original reactions the students share when reading a text – it truly makes teaching here so enjoyable! My favourite book is Joseph Heller’s ‘Catch-22’, the way it manages to shift between being hilarious one second and heart-breaking the next is incredible.

Miss Garlick

I am excited to say that I will be starting my teaching career right here at Penwortham Girls’ High School, having completed my training here in 2016. I have learnt so much already, and I am so excited to hit the ground running with help from the fantastic team. As well as English, Drama is my passion. My favourite play is Willy Russell’s Educating Rita, and my favourite musical has to be Evita. I love how powerful drama can be, and am looking forward to sharing this passion with my pupils!

Mrs McGibbon

I’m proud to say that I began my teaching career right here at Penwortham Girls’; it’s a truly remarkable school full of talented young women who never cease to amaze me.  Books are my passion, and I am a member of a local book club and have therefore read some amazing stories over the years, but I will always return to my childhood favourite – Roald Dahl’s ‘Matilda’ – I’m so fond of this book that I named my daughter after it!

Miss Ibrahim

I find teaching to be an incredibly special vocation and I feel privileged to be able to teach such talented and committed students here at Penwortham Girls’ High School. I absolutely love teaching my subject; I studied, both, English Language and English Literature at degree level as I couldn’t pick between the two! I have also have a Master of Arts in Education. Considering language as an art form, English Language teaches us how to become articulate and expressive individuals using that art, and English Literature teaches us how to interrogate that art. From the different characters to the different cultural contexts encapsulated within the artful use of language, the two disciplines allow us to explore, discuss and reflect on the past, present and future of the world around us. I firmly believe that no matter what and who you want to be in life, the subject of English will play an imperative role. English is definitely a subject that profits us all with empowering life-skills and, in turn, paves the way for life-long self-confidence and success.

Mrs McKeown

I’ve been teaching since 1997 and joined Penwortham Girls’ in 2012. I love teaching because no two days are the same – I never get bored! It is immensely rewarding to see pupils understand a new concept or skill they find challenging. Penwortham Girls is a fantastic school because the girls are always so willing to learn and develop. My favourite book is ‘Perfume’ by Patrick Suskind. The most original fiction I have ever encountered.

Mr Oliver

Before I began my teaching career in Manchester in 1989, I had studied English at Durham University then a P.G.C.E in English and Drama at Manchester University. An early highlight of my career was working in an Arts College in Blackpool – being able to teach 2 expressive and creative subjects, like English and Drama, was a dream come true for me. I have been so fortunate in being taken on by Penwortham Girls’ where I can also teach English and Drama. I have enjoyed directing plays over the years, especially ‘Grease’ which featured lots of teacher cameos. For 5 years I entered the Schools’ Shakespeare Festival and created 30 minute performances of ‘Hamlet’, ‘As You Like it’ ‘Twelfth Night’ and ‘Winter’s Tale’. Teaching is the only career I have known and it’s a job that is fulfilling on so many different levels. I like to bring positivity and confidence-building to the classroom so that every student can fulfil their potential. I am proud to be a member of the English and Drama team here at PGHS.

Mrs Woodhouse

I love teaching and particularly that magic moments when “the penny drops” for a student. I believe that we never stop learning new things and I frequently learn new ideas and techniques from students!  Like Miss Thackeray, I began teaching in Blackpool, way back in 1999 and I have been at Penwortham Girls’ High since 2004. My passion outside school is theatre and my favourite productions have been “Matilda” in the West End (everyone has to go and see this spectacular show for the amazing set design; clever and witty songs and incredibly energetic performances) and a brilliant Midsummer Nights’ Dream in Manchester’s Royal Exchange – an outrageous production set at a music festivals.