On Wednesday 11th March, two Year 11 classes had the privilege of welcoming a former member of the British Special Forces, Grant Spencer, who spoke to them about his experiences as a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan (among other theatres), as well as his work as a writer. Spencer, author of the novel Trust No One, explained how writing both war fiction and non-fiction has helped him confront and manage PTSD.

He shared with students what operating in these conflict zones was like, the roles he undertook, and how those experiences have shaped his identity and voice as a writer. As Paper 2 of the English Literature GCSE engages with several war poems and the psychological challenges faced by combat veterans, Spencer’s talk brought these texts vividly to life.

Not only did he communicate the dangers inherent in military service, but he also highlighted the positive impact such operations can have on the civilians they aim to protect. His visit offered students a powerful, human perspective that deepened their understanding of both war literature and the lives behind it.