Back in April, I mentioned how reading and writing are powerfully linked and how authors often research thoroughly to write in a realistic way. During the Easter break, I returned to my favoured genre of crime fiction and read yet another Val McDermid novel. She is a classic example of someone who does her research…so much so, she has even written a nonfiction text ‘Forensics: The Anatomy of Crime’. I decided take my own advice about following your interests and signed up for a free 6hr Open University course on ‘Critical Criminology and the Social Sciences’. I’ve now got my eye on a ‘badged’ course called Forensic Psychology.

However, it isn’t just me. As you know, Mrs Ash recently completed her history MOOC and I even have my recently furloughed next door neighbour starting an introductory course on climate change. Best of all, three of my Year 12 Literature students have recently taken part in a very useful and timely Future Learn course for A Level students on Unseen Poetry. Well done Zeenat, Naomi and Nicole!

Lynn Court
Head of English Faculty