Mr. Steven Hirst - Tutor of S3HL

I was born and brought up in Huddersfield, in the North of England.  I studied English Language and Literature at Wadham College, Oxford University, where I also took part in many theatrical events, as an actor and director.  After graduating, I took up a position as Assistant Director to the playwright Alan Ayckbourn at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough, where I directed productions including 'Romeo and Juliet' and 'Misery' and assisted on many productions there and also at the RSC.  After working as a freelance director in London for several years, I decided to travel to China and taught in a private boarding school near Chengdu in Sichuan, before working in Beijing and Shanghai.  Upon returning to the United Kingdom, I completed a PGCE in English and Drama at the Institute of Education, University of London.  I then returned to Hong Kong where I have worked in a local school and for the last three years at the Korean International School, teaching all grades through IGCSE up to A-Level.  I also worked for a year in an unusual role as private English tutor to the Chinese film actress Gong Li when she was preparing to work in America, and travelled with her to France, Japan, Singapore, and all over Mainland China during this time.

I believe that drama, poetry and performance are great ways to encourage young people to develop their skills in English and are vital to the promotion and well-being of a vibrant school community.  I love combining my interests in theatre, reading and creative writing in the classroom. I also like travelling, cinema and music of all kinds.