With the current political climate it seemed only fitting that our Alevel English Literature and English Language students were given the chance to visit the University of Sunderland as part of the launch of The Orwell Youth Prize 2025 which focuses on the concept of ‘Freedom’.
As Orwell’s novel, ‘Nineteen Eighty-Four’, is one of the set texts for our Alevel English Literature students this was a great opportunity to learn more about the author by engaging with the work of the Orwell Foundation. Throughout the day students attended one of three workshops with university staff; English, Journalism, and Film and Media, each one tackling the concept of ‘Freedom’ from their own perspective but with the familiar backdrop of Orwell’s work.
For student Amelie Chippendale who attended the English workshop, it was a valuable experience as she learned that, “creative writing doesn’t have to be perfect, it doesn’t have to be straight to the point. It can go anywhere, allowing the reader to take from it what they wish and let their imagination to the rest.”
She also commented that a highlight of the day was the Q+A with Quentin Kopp, Chair of the Orwell Society, and the time he spent working with the students which she described as being a “monumental experience”- the queue for his signature was certainly a testament to how captivating he had been.
