Leah Kedge is the English Coordinator at The King's School International College.

What is your favourite memory at King’s?

One of my favourite memories is our celebration for the Queen’s 70th jubilee when we decorated the College, complete with life size cardboard cutouts of the Royal Family and transformed the courtyard into a traditional British summer fair. The students really enjoyed games such as hook-a-duck, tombola and quoits. Unsurprisingly, their favourite was the stocks, where they relished the opportunity to throw wet sponges at their teachers! We finished the day with traditional games, including an egg and spoon race and welly wanging competition! It was such a fun and memorable way for the students to learn about British culture.

What makes the International College special?

The IC is such a supportive community for all who work here, as well as for the students. For many of the students who come to the College, it’s their first experience away from home, as well as their first visit to the UK, which can be completely overwhelming. That’s before we even start teaching! We try to make the IC feel like a home from home, embracing each and every student’s culture, celebrating their successes, and nurturing them through more difficult times. I truly believe that the College provides its students with the safest, most supportive and most comfortable space to begin their academic career in the UK, and that’s what makes it so special.

What is your favourite piece of literature and why?

It’s so difficult to pick one piece of literature as a favourite. I particularly enjoy 19th century English literature as there was so much going on at that time and writers were becoming more experimental. Alice in Wonderland was a firm favourite as a child. Our wedding ceremony included a reading from The Velveteen Rabbit, which may or may not be considered literature, but is a special piece of writing for me. 

What do you do in your spare time?

My husband and I (with our cat Lola) have recently moved to a new home, so we spend a lot of our spare time redecorating or gardening. Sometimes successfully - sometimes not! I also enjoy reading - very typical of an English teacher! I have so many books waiting to be read, but often only find the time to lose myself in a good book over longer holidays such as Easter and summer. I enjoy travelling, and a good book is often the perfect companion.

What is at the top of your bucket list?

I think one of the top things on my bucket list would be a trip around Eastern Asia. There are so many wonderful sights to see and delicious food to try! I would particularly like to visit Japan in the spring to experience cherry blossom season, as well as a visit to central China to try an authentic hotpot. Travel is a must for me. Alone, with my husband, with friends. It doesn’t matter. I try to take every opportunity I can to see more of the world.