Our pupils do amazing things every single day, but behind those achievements are all of the hardworking staff here at Merchant Taylors’ School. In Staff Spotlights we look to explore the diverse backgrounds and skills of the people who make Merchant Taylors’ a great place to be. This week we hear from David Robinson, Teacher of English
When did you join Merchant Taylors’?
September 2018.
Tell us about your subject. What excites you about it? How did you get into it?
I always loved stories. I have strong early memories of listening to an audiobook of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe on cassette, and Stig of the Dump on CD. As well as these, and when I was still at primary school, I fell in love with Michael Morpurgo’s Kensuke’s Kingdom and Private Peaceful, Roald Dahl’s Danny the Champion of the World, and Phillipa Pearce’s Tom’s Midnight Garden. In hindsight, I can see why I loved these books: they are all about isolated boys who find adventure in the everyday and meaning despite hardships, but at that stage of my life I didn’t need a reason; they were simply magical.
When I was slightly older, I would stay awake at night reading the Harry Potter books by lamplight, before my secondary school reading really kicked off. I can strongly recollect reading Wuthering Heights one summer holiday while staying in an isolated Dorset cottage, hearing nothing but the wind and being stirred by the strength of Brontë’s prose. A private communion with your innermost feelings, while the rest of the world sleeps on, is a fragile and beautiful thing.
As I get older, reading has become no less important to me. I really love the busyness and community of school life, but when the dust settles at the end of each term, setting aside some time to explore deep rest through reading and self-reflection resets me for another busy few weeks at school. Reading has continued to help me navigate life’s undulating emotional landscape, but perhaps even more importantly, has always reminded me of who I was as a child. I really believe that our younger selves know what makes us happy; we should listen to them as much as possible.
What are you most proud of outside of your work at school?
On a handful of occasions in my life I have required courage to stand up for someone in need. In those moments my values were truly tested, and I am proud that I passed. I am also proud to have been Best Man at my brother’s wedding. Family means everything to me.
What did you study at A-Level?
English Literature, History, German.
What piece of media would you recommend and why?
Rather than a single piece, I offer a list covering a range of forms.
Novel: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin.
Poem: ‘As I Walked Out One Evening’ by W. H. Auden.
Films: Tár; Past Lives; Interstellar.
TV: One Day on Netflix.
Song: ‘Purple Rain’ by Prince (but it has to be the full, nine-minute version).
Those who know my tastes can expect to revel in the beautiful melancholy with these works. I can, however, promise that you will catch a glimpse of the truth of human nature.
