Allanian Chris Wilkie returns as Head of English

Welcome back to Dame Allan’s! How has it been returning to the school?

It’s been great, thanks. It is very familiar, but also very different, and some of the new additions to the school, like the Sixth Form centre, look amazing. At the same time, it can be quite strange to be back as a teacher in rooms where I used to be the student - my form room now was my GCSE geography classroom when I was at school here!

What are your standout memories of attending Dame Allan's as a pupil? Do any particular teachers or subjects stand out?

There are so many that it’s difficult to narrow it down. Obviously, I loved English and Mr Proctor and Mr Lewton had a huge impact on me and my career choices - without their influence, I very much doubt I’d be back here doing what I’m doing now.

I also remember Mrs Hutt very fondly - I was part of the first cohort to sit A Level Politics with Mrs Hutt, and that was a fantastic experience. As well as this, I have many sporting memories of Dame Allan’s, representing the school at cricket, rugby, table tennis, tennis amongst others - there were so many opportunities. And I will always be grateful to Mr Benn for sorting out my “wonky” bowling action so that I can still trundle in to bowl today without damaging myself too badly. 

Can you tell us a bit about your educational and career background? 

I was torn between a degree in English Literature or Linguistics, so I chose to study a combined course of English Literature and Language at the University of Liverpool, before completing a Masters degree in linguistics at Newcastle University. I had always been interested in politics, and when I’d finished my higher education I worked for Rt Hon Nick Brown MP, both running his constituency office in Newcastle, and also in the House of Commons. Mrs Hutt sent me a few of her A Level politics students for work experience at this point so it was nice to be able to do something to help the school out there.

In my late twenties I did my PGCE at Newcastle University and then spent six years teaching at Gosforth Academy before moving to St Thomas More in Blaydon where I spent 10 years, including being Head of English for the last five years. 

What do you think makes Dame Allan’s so special?

I think it’s the feeling of community. I remember this from when I was at school myself, and it is just apparent now having returned as a teacher. It creates an environment where students feel comfortable enough to take risks and try new things - and the amount of opportunities available to the students seems endless!

What do you get up to outside of school?

I am still a keen sportsman. I still play local club cricket, and I coach junior football at a local football club and this takes up quite a lot of my time outside of school.

What book do you recommend to everyone? 

This is a very tricky question. I read The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood as part of my A Level course, and this had a profound effect on me, and my choice of books today is still influenced by this. As a younger child, I was fascinated by my parents’ illustrated copy of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge - I must have read and reread it hundreds of times, and I would recommend that to anyone, young or old.