The faculty of English & Media is known for its academic achievements and the success of its alumni, with students moving on to top universities and employment across the English and Media sector.
As part of the Creative Arts Academy, the faculty offers industry-standard facilities such as a green screen, editing software and our own radio station. Itchen Radio is run by students with shows being broadcast weekly via Unity 101 Community Radio.
Extra opportunities include national and international trips to places such as museums, universities and TV studios; access to a variety of guest speakers working in the English and Media industries; and the chance to showcase your work through local events and exhibitions. Students also have the option to add the Extended Project Qualification to their academic programme and pursue creative writing interests.
I've done lots of linguistics over the years and all because of Itchen showing me just how cool it is!
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Student success
Emily Priest
Emily tailored her studies around wanting a career in the creative arts, taking Fine Art (Distinction*), English Language (A*), Creative Writing (A) and Journalism (Pass). She was also an active member of Itchen Radio, broadcasting shows across Southampton on a weekly basis, and also ran her own blog.
Deciding to continue down the creative path with the goal to become a writer, Emily went on to the University of Portsmouth, where she is currently studying Creative and Media Writing. She has continued writing her blog and building a social media presence, is working on her debut novel, and has been published in various literary magazines and journals, including The London Magazine.
Jono Holmes
Jono spent three years at Itchen, studying a wide variety of subjects including Media Studies and English Language and taking part in Itchen Radio. He also won an award for Media Techniques from The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers in London, through City and Guilds.
After college, Jono attended the University of Westminster where he studied Radio Production. He has worked for BBC1 Radio 1 on Nick Grimshaw's Evening Show, BBC Radio 5 Live on the 60s Phone-In Show and BBC Sport as an 2012 Olympics Commentary Systems Operator.
He has since moved to Capital FM, where he is now a Breakfast Presenter, and he also lectures in Media Studies.
Department news
Radio Presenter and Sports Journalist Return to Itchen
Itchen College welcomed back two of its successful alumni as Capital South Coast presenter Jono Holmes and respected sports journalist Stuart Appleby returned…
Read more >Itchen Journalists Speak at City Holocaust Memorial Event
Itchen journalism students Jon Lacey and Georgia Keetch spoke at Southampton’s annual Holocaust Memorial Day event, which took place at Solent University on…
Read more >Holocaust Survivor Shares His Testimony
Holocaust survivor Walter Kammerling visited Itchen College on Monday 4 December to give a moving testimony of his experiences as a Jewish teenager in…
Read more >Key personnel
Shaun O'Toole - Head of Faculty for English and Media
Shaun is a teacher of English Language. He is very proud of his department, and they often run national trips to locations such as the Globe Theatre, The British Library and have visits from university lecturers.