Secondary English

Using Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde to teach Descriptive writing

Teaching descriptive writing is one of those things I always look forwards to – what English teacher doesn’t love to use language devices with flourish? – Only to often regret when it comes to marking. In my first couple of years of teaching I was always dumbfounded by the results… Read More

Welcome to Dickens’ Victorian Christmas Market!

This interactive drama lesson has been designed to support your teaching of A Christmas Carol. ‘Roll up, roll up, Ladies and Gentleman! Spend your coppers on my wares, for who wouldn’t want the gift of kindness for Christmas? Not you, Sir? Hang on, hang on, what about the chance for… Read More

How to use character mapping to promote familiarity of AO in An Inspector Calls

Starting a new text with your class is always a joy, reading collectively and hearing their opinions and reflections never fails to brighten my day. But how do you teach the text in a way that is creative and animated whilst also letting the crucial exam requirements take centre stage?… Read More

How to differentiate to accommodate all learners

A new year more often than not means a completely new set of learners, each with their own individual ways of learning. Add into the mix those who do not have English as a first language, have additional needs or are more able, and it can be tricky to know… Read More

Expert guidance for the AQA GCSE (9-1) English Language papers

On the approach to the exams for the new AQA GCSE (9-1) English Language specification, we sat down with teacher, coach, and former AQA principal examiner Jo Heathcote who’s provided practical advice on how best to enable your students to secure a pass. Jo has broken down her advice for… Read More

The Benefits of Uninterrupted Reading

Recently, I have been reading up on the benefits of whole class reading. Doug Lemov’s ideas in Reading Reconsidered seem to be (rightly) influencing many primary teachers to eschew small group reading for whole class texts. These ideas seem to align with a trend in my own secondary teaching in… Read More

Building on students’ knowledge: teaching tips for approaching The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Unlike many 19th century novels, students are likely to already have some idea of the central premise of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde before they read the novel – the concept of duality and the sinful double life. However, they are less likely… Read More

A message for us all from Dickens

Dickens – and the message of A Christmas Carol is everywhere – even though the season of goodwill is over four months away. He was on the lips of Labour MP David Lammy in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster, repurposing the title of A Tale of Two Cities… Read More

The Lazy Larry Show: assisting you in the teaching of SPAG

The Lazy Larry Show: an online animated series designed to assist in the teaching of spelling, punctuation and grammar, from Peter Morrisson. “Once again ladies and gentlemen, for both your edification and your entertainment, welcome to The Lazy Larry Show, starring that paragon of teenage idleness himself, Lazy… Read More

A Manifesto for the teaching of Great Literature!

A great book can help children to see themselves not just as they are, but as they might be. Read More