Alice Stokes

Head of English and Class Teacher

Talent

OxfordMember since October 11, 2026

EnglishPSHEDramacurriculum designbudget managementstaff developmentadmissionsstrategic planningLetters and SoundsRWITalk for WritingThe Power of ReadingISAMSMYCONCERNParnasSyscommunication skillsnegotiationmentoring

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EnglishPSHEDramacurriculum designbudget management

About

As an educational leader with twenty-four years of experience across national and international contexts, I remain steadfast in my commitment to preparing young people for a complex, interconnected future. My career has been shaped by a dual focus on pastoral care and global citizenship, underpinned by specialist expertise in English, PSHE and Drama. I view literacy not merely as a curricular subject, but as a foundational competency for critical thought, cultural understanding, and personal agency.

Recently I have written Oracy in to the assessment framework. In 2021, I conceptualised and launched a 50/50 English–Mandarin Immersion Programme, an initiative that compelled me to re-evaluate pedagogical approaches to multilingual competence. I hold that fluency in more than one global language, coupled with strong negotiation and communication skills, equips students to become adaptable problem-solvers.

My own pursuit of German and Dutch reflects this belief in linguistic and cultural openness. Currently a doctoral candidate at Brunel University, London, I am researching the historical evolution, contemporary diversity, and prospective trajectories of international education. This builds upon my MA in International Education, for which I examined the centrality of high-quality Global Citizenship Education.

My academic work is complemented by practical leadership: I have served as Head of School, Safeguarding Lead, and Head of English, with responsibilities encompassing curriculum design, budget management, staff development, admissions, and strategic planning. My leadership is characterised by visibility, transparency, and a collaborative ethos, grounded in the conviction that sustainable school improvement depends upon valuing every member of the community. I have taught across the IB Primary Years Programme, the International Primary Curriculum, the UK National Curriculum – including phonics programs such as Letters and Sounds and RWI and reading/writing programs such as Talk for Writing and The Power of Reading.

I have taught students from three to thirteen, from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. Central to my practice is the belief that the teacher–student relationship constitutes the most significant variable in educational success, requiring consistency, trust, and an unwavering commitment to each learner's potential. Safeguarding remains a priority of the highest order; I maintain current qualifications and am particularly attentive to the evolving challenges presented by digital technologies.

My record-keeping is meticulous, and my approach, though firm, is characterised by courtesy and measured judgement. I have utilised platforms including ISAMS, MYCONCERN, and ParnasSys to ensure robust tracking of both academic progress and pastoral concerns. I am a fluent native English speaker and an active networker within professional educational communities, most recently joining WomensEd.

My leadership style has been informed by obse