In Toto Ed
Meet the Cambridge English Department
The English Department at our Cambridge In Toto Ed site has had an incredibly impactful term, demonstrating that great writing skills go far beyond the classroom. Our students have successfully engaged in projects that reflect historical depth, personal expression, and profound community action.
The Write Stuff: How Cambridge students are using words to honour the past and help the present
We are proud to highlight three recent achievements that showcase the powerful voice and active citizenship of our students: a poignant Remembrance Assembly, the launch of the student journal “In Toto Tales,” and the inclusion of news on the successful student-led Foodbank initiative.
Honouring history through powerful words
Our recent Remembrance workshop was a deeply moving event, bringing history to life through the powerful, authentic voices of the past. Students were confronted with tackling the deep sentiment and humanity present in dramatic excerpts from First World War diarists and poets. This project built on students' already strong interest in history but also provided students with an opportunity to engage with real-life written accounts, allowing them to connect with and convey the profound emotions embedded in historical primary sources.
In Toto Tales: Student voices take the lead
Championing student autonomy and real-world writing, the department supported the launch of “In Toto Tales.” This exciting new student-led publication is a journal where students chronicle their diverse interests and the latest happenings across the Cambridge site. It has quickly become a vibrant platform for expressing opinion, practising journalistic reporting, and sharing the unique perspective of our student body.
Writing for a cause: The Foodbank Initiative
Crucially, "In Toto Tales" has also been a tool for community awareness, highlighting the remarkable efforts of our students who independently established a Foodbank initiative. This project demonstrates how the empathy and critical awareness fostered in English literature can be translated into powerful social action, showing a genuine commitment to supporting the wider Cambridge community.
Looking ahead: Classic texts meet contemporary debates
The momentum in the English Department is continuing into the next term, where we are balancing a deep dive into classic literature with engaging with today's most pressing social issues.
Timeless Literature: Students are beginning their study of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, analysing how Victorian social commentary and moral messages remain relevant today.
Speaking & Listening for the 21st Century: We are preparing for a varied array of Speaking and Listening topics designed to challenge students to research, structure, and deliver persuasive and entertaining arguments.
Topics range from social issues like the complex relationship between AI and creativity in music, analysis of the current situation in the Middle East, and captivating presentations on students' own hobbies and interests.
This varied curriculum ensures that our students develop strong skills not only in interpreting and appreciating classic texts but also in articulating complex contemporary ideas with clarity and confidence.