Review: The Windsor Knot, S J Bennett

genre(s): (cosy) crime audience: adult readers read it for: an intricately plotted and satisfying mystery tucked into a delightful and affectionately presented ‘sneak peek’ at the home life of HM The first book in a highly original and delightfully clever crime series in which Queen Elizabeth II secretly solves crimes while carrying out her royal duties.… More Review: The Windsor Knot, S J Bennett

Do you do ‘200 word Challenges’ in English lessons? Here’s what they’re for…

Lots of schools started doing 200-word challenges as a quick way to sharpen up GCSE students’ writing skills. I’ve noticed, in working as a tutor, however, that not all students know why they’re doing them. If that’s you, read on – this is what they can help you achieve. They help remind you to use… More Do you do ‘200 word Challenges’ in English lessons? Here’s what they’re for…

Reading guilt

I’ve struggled with reading recently. In lockdown, when I should have been able to give my TBR pile a good bashing, I’ve barely read anything, discarding several things after not being able to get started properly. I’m not naming them, because it’s definitely me, not them. Apparently, quite a lot of people have had similar… More Reading guilt

PC Language: a ‘change’ and ‘diversity’ topic

PC (or ‘politically correct’) language is a topic in English Language A Level that rather nicely illustrates how artificial it is to separate ideas into topics like ‘change’ and ‘diversity’. But, of course, we have to draw lines for the purposes of curriculum organisation. What this actually means for you as a student (or a… More PC Language: a ‘change’ and ‘diversity’ topic

Three ways to sneak Reading for Pleasure into the KS4 classroom

I think (hope?) many of us can agree that GCSE set text lists do not inherently encourage students to become readers. By exposing young teenagers to  books deemed ‘classics’ or ‘great’ and requiring detailed analysis, we often in fact risk putting them off reading. This is, unfortunately, especially true for those not from a reading background… More Three ways to sneak Reading for Pleasure into the KS4 classroom

Recommended Resource (for English Lang A Level): Lexis Podcast

This excellent linguistics podcast started up this year and, at the time of posting, has had 8 episodes. It features four linguistics enthusiasts: Matthew Butler, Lisa Casey, Dan Clayton and Jacky Glancey, discussing language issues in the news and recent research. Most episodes have included an interview with an academic linguist about a specific topic… More Recommended Resource (for English Lang A Level): Lexis Podcast

YA Review: Hideous Beauty by William Hussey

genre(s): contemporary representation notes: LGBT (m/m) read it for: a great combination of a well-written gay romance and a thriller/mystery, bundled with realistic and easy-to-relate-to explorations of YA relationships with friends and family Dylan is forced to come out after his secret relationship with Ellis is exposed on social media, but to his surprise, everyone is… More YA Review: Hideous Beauty by William Hussey

YA Book Feature: The State of Grace by Rachael Lucas (review plus teaching resources)

Age Range: 12+ (according to publisher’s website; I would happily use this throughout the secondary school – plenty to engage older teens, nothing ‘unsuitable’ for yr7/8, although they will be less interested in the romance aspects) Themes: family, friends, being different, romance Narrative style and genre: Strong first-person narration plants you firmly in Grace’s world and… More YA Book Feature: The State of Grace by Rachael Lucas (review plus teaching resources)