Choral Competition - Epsom College

Staff Profile:
Nick Russell
Head of English
Epsom’s new Head of English, Nick Russell, has brought with him a wealth of
knowledge and experience. He talks to The Link about his passion for teaching the
subject, his plans for the future and being part of the wider College community
Nick Russell, the College’s new Head
of English, was clearly born to teach.
Raised in Lancashire by parents who
were both teachers, it seemed only natural
that he would follow in their footsteps and
continue something of a family tradition.
“One of my grandmothers was a teacher
as well, so I don’t think I had a great deal of
choice in the matter,” he said.
The thought of teaching became particularly
appealing to him whilst studying English
at Liverpool University. He enjoyed the subject
so much that he wanted to develop his
knowledge further and share his enthusiasm
with others. “I wanted to continue learning
and discovering, while also sharing my enjoyment
and appreciation of what I had already
learned,” Nick said.
Prior to joining the College, Nick was a
boarding Housemaster and English teacher
at Eastbourne College for 12 years and had
become deeply integrated into the school
and the community. The past few months
have, therefore, been a whirlwind of change
for the Russell family as they have settled
into life at Epsom.
“We’ve been made to feel very welcome,
both within the department and the school
as a whole.We live on campus and are very
much enjoying exploring the area. My wife,
Lizzie and daughter, Imogen, have developed
a worrying attraction towards Kingston,”
he said.
Nick has two other children, Henry, who
is at a boarding school in Eastbourne, and
Verity, who attends St Joseph’s in Epsom.
Lizzie who, not surprisingly, is also a teacher,
works nearby at St Christopher’s Prep School.
As well as being Head of Department,
Nick is also enjoying being a L6th tutor
in Propert House. “Housemaster Andy
Wolstenholme, the tutors and the boys
have been very welcoming,” he said.
Having joined a strong and well-resourced
department, Nick is impressed at what his
team has achieved and is keen to build on
that success. “I do think, though, that there
is scope for us to work more effectively as
a team – to observe each other’s lessons
more and to share ideas and resources.
“But above all, I want to generate an
aspiring and enthusiastic culture within the
students. I want them to be inspired to read
widely and to be prepared to take creative
risks with their own writing.
“Obviously, I want the students to leave
with excellent results but, perhaps even
more importantly, I want them to have an
abiding interest in literature and to be freethinking
skilled wordsmiths throughout their
lives,” Nick said.
Plans for the future include extending the
pupils’ horizons and already this term the
department has made a trip to the Cheltenham
Literature Festival. Nick was delighted
with the students’ receptive attitude and
the feedback was most encouraging.
“The Cheltenham Literature Festival really
stimulated and opened the minds and imaginations
of members of the 6th form.We will
look to make this an annual event,” Nick said.
An educational trip to Italy is also planned
“I want the students to leave with excellent results but, perhaps even more importantly, I want them to
6 The LINK Michaelmas 2012