Getting to Know You: Alex Bassett and Matt Fletcher

In the first of a series of articles introducing Harrodian staff we meet two new arrivals in the English Department

Three weeks into his first term at Harrodian, English teacher Matt Fletcher is already feeling at home. ‘The children here seem so confident, bubbly and happy,’ he says. ‘And I’m loving working in such beautiful surroundings. My only regret is that I haven’t yet had time for a dip in the pool.’ Fellow newcomer to the English team  Alex Bassett is just as effusive. ‘It’s such a friendly department and school,’ she smiles. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever felt happier in a workplace.’

Twickenham-raised Mr Fletcher and Johannesburg-born Ms Bassett have almost identical academic and pastoral responsibilities in their first year at Harrodian. Each is teaching groups in the 11s, 12s, 13s and 14s (Years 7 to 10) as well as taking on the role of form teacher for a year seven class, Mr Fletcher with 11 MFL and Ms Bassett with 11 ABA.

As well as  similar timetables, it turns out the two new English teachers also have literary tastes in common. Asked to name a favourite author, both nominate the work of Chimamanda Ngosi Adichie, inspirational Nigerian author of a string of prizewinning novels including Purple Hibiscus.  ‘I love African fiction and her work in particular,’ says Matt Fletcher. ‘It’s so very distinct and different from what we think of as the “traditional literary canon”.’ 

As you might expect of a South African whose childhood years were split between her home country and Nigeria,  Alex Bassett is also a huge fan of the atmospheric and evocative character of Adichie’s writing. ‘Until I read her books I hadn’t found any writing that captured Africa as beautifully and accessibly,’ she says.

Purple Hibiscus, Half a Yellow Sun and Amerikanah are all available for loan from the Harrodian Senior Library.  It sounds as if would-be borrowers may need to be quick to avoid disappointment.