JC

CrEaTiVe PrOjEcT

JC
When I first started the Sound of Pen project, it was with enormous help from my good friend, Simon. We met in 2004, when he was playing guitar in The Trend (later to become Narration). I managed his band for the next five years. Later, the two of u... Read More...
A-LevelGCSEJC's WritingStudy 4
The best essays are soooo brat.

BrAtWooD

JC
We started the school year by listening to Charli XCX's 'I Love It' and exploring 'The Handmaid's Tale'. We learnt so much about how to write an essay and had such a good time! Back in September 2024, we kickstarted another year of Sound of Pen ... Read More...
A-LevelPodcast & VideoStudy 4

aNaLySiNg LoSS & LaNgUaGe WiTh DiMsCuA

JC
We don't often talk about post-metal at Sound of Pen. But if you want music that takes you on a journey - in the same way that a novel might - then you should definitely be listening to the songs of Dimscua! I felt unsure whether I should bui... Read More...
A-LevelStudy 4
Julia Wolf pondering the same issues about love and obsession that have bothered Fitzgerald, Keats and other A-Level writers.

JuLiA WoLf: LoVe Or ObSeSSiOn?

JC
So many of our A-Level Literature texts revolve around feelings of love and obsession. But, what actually is the difference between love and obsession? In the fourth of our 2000trees 2025 series, Julia Wolf's going to help us figure out how to spot ... Read More...
A-LevelClassesStudy 4
newshapes' artwork: as hard to untangle as the texts you're studying for your English Lit exams!

nEwShApEs @ ThE bLaCk HeArT

JC
Once upon a time, I scribed for Kerrang!, Rocksound and various other magazines. I would write about music just because I loved it. Such an uncomplicated and gorgeous time! These days, things are different - I find it almost impossible to talk about... Read More...
A-LevelMusicReviewsStudy 4
A Level and GCSE English Lessons

ToPiCs & ArTiSTs

JC
Lots of the Sound of Pen classes are aimed at simply heightening your enjoyment of English - but each one does also tie neatly to a particular unit or theme. S... Read More...
Study 2

LiGhTs OuT, FoLLoW tHe NoiSe

JC
How listening to music can help us navigate the darkness - and our English Literature studies! For a long time now, I’ve been using music in the classroom. I’m an English teacher and I run sessions - at least once a week - for students who enjoy ... Read More...
A-LevelJC's WritingStudy 4

bEsT aLbUmS of 24

JC
Here are Sound of Pen's favourite albums of 2024! Fred again.., 'ten days' Charli xcx, 'brat' Dua Lipa, 'Radical Optimism' Mk.gee, 'Two Star & The Dream Police' Jamie xx, 'In Waves' Pale Waves, 'Smitten' Ankor, 'Shoganai' ... Read More...
A-LevelClassesListsMusicStudy 4
No U In Ftre

fTrE: cHaPtEr 1

JC
Bright Star is locked in her manager’s office, Cynthia is locked in a friend’s basement and Ayley is locked in her bedroom. Sound of Pen’s ‘fTrE’ novel explores what happens next. Watch the video, press pause when you reach each activity slot and ge... Read More...
ClassesJC's Writing 4
Taylor Swift Great Gatsby Essay

FoLkLoRe & ThE PoSiTiOn Of WoMen

JC
Taylor Swift is a feminist icon. Let's listen to 'folklore' and have a think about how the singer uses language to ensure her ideas about equality hit as hard as possible! …Ready for it? ACTIVITY 1 How does Taylor Swift use 'folklore' t... Read More...
A-LevelClassesStudy 4

JC

English Teacher & Music Journalist

Favourite artists: Against The Current, Holding Absence, Trophy Eyes, Taylor Swift, Kim Petras
Favourite album: Blind Melon: Blind Melon
Favourite song: The Used: Taste of Ink
Best gig: 30 Seconds To Mars @ Main Square Festival, July 2013
Lyric worth remembering: Live right now, just be yourself; it doesn't matter if it's good enough for someone else
Most likely to feel: Inspired and determined
Favourite month and why: June – the start of festival season