Floyd Reading Prize 2026
Head of English, Sam Farmer, hosted this year’s Floyd Reading Prize in the Skinners’ Library, a fitting setting for this annual competition, now in its 104th year. The competition is named in honour of George Alexander Floyd, a renowned teacher at Tonbridge between 1890 and 1921.
This year’s competition was adjudicated by Andrew Mee, teacher of English at UCS and avid writer of both poetry and prose, taking inspiration from the Peaks, Lakes and Highlands, where he enjoys spending time away from the classroom.
The competition showcased a diverse selection of readings from the Novi, Intermediate, and Senior categories.
In the Novi category, Beau (PH1) was praised by Andrew for having a potential future career as an audio book reader, such was the calibre of his voice, commanding tone, strong characterisation and nuanced timing, whilst simultaneously establishing good eye contact with his audience. It was the gear-change between his two pieces, Common Cold by Ogden Nash and an extract from Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell, plus his ability to get inside the texts that made him a worthy winner.
George (WH2) took first prize in the Intermedia category, with Andrew admitting he had no improvement notes for the way George tackled Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night by Dylan Thomas, read in a quiet, low tone which Andrew noted was akin to a phonographic record, alongside an extract from JD Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye.
Jaden (CH5) triumphed in the Senior category after sharing his choices, The Unknown Citizen by WH Auden and an extract from Invisible Man, Ralph Ellison. He was praised for delivering older text in a way that gave them relevance to today’s audience, and for the ability to bring out more characterisation than the text alone could convey.
Summing up the evening, Andrew praised all nine entrants for their bravery in sharing their chosen texts in what was a fascinating literary snapshot. He encouraged them to continue reading, commending them for being an asset to both the School and their Year Groups.
