Year 12 IB English students had the opportunity to take part in an inspiring Zoom session with the author of ‘Who They Was’, Gabriel Krauze.

Gabriel began by introducing himself and reading an extract from his novel. Students posed questions specific to the novel, before Gabriel went on to answer some of the questions they had formulated in the lesson the day before.  His responses were fascinating, and elicited much nodding from the class. He touched on a huge range of topics, from the inane investment of money into anti-knife crime posters as opposed to youth projects, to the monopolisation of literature by the privileged.  We were running out of time by the end, but had just enough time for students to read two of their own creative pieces. They received great feedback from Gabriel, who noted how much potential he had seen in the students’ work.

We would like to thank Gabriel Krauze - it was a fantastic session, and a joy to see the students writing in their voices about their London. 

Ms Rowan, Key Stage 5 English Coordinator