English

English

‘English’ at all ages and levels at school contains many elements – learning the language and understanding how it is made up, developing skills at using the language, reading its rich literature, learning to read factual communications, writing personal works of fact and/or fiction, and learning to revel in this understanding and usage.

At GCSE and GCE A level the courses usually offer a skills based approach, allowing students to explore a range of literary and, in some courses, language topics. All of them rely mainly on ‘set books’ chosen from a list set out by the examination board

Teachers of English usually try to capture students’ interest in language and literature by attending plays and participating in conferences and debates. A number of educational visit companies offer such opportunities. And visits to localities featured in famous books and to authors’ and poets’ homes can inspire even the most reluctant student.

 

Main organisations:

National Association for the Teaching of English

Inclusion: NASEN

 

Thought of visiting?

The British Library

Birmingham Library

The Tolkien Trails (Birmingham and Lancashire)

Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre, Bucks

Dr Johnson’s Museum and Library, Lichfield

Shakespeare’s Globe

Jane Austen’s House and Museum

Dickens World, Chatham

Bronte Parsonage, Haworth

Classworks Theatre, Cambridge

Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond

The New Vic, Stoke-on-Trent

English Touring Opera

 

Articles on English, Education and Trips on SchoolTripsAdvisor

The Literary Map of London is both a snapshot of London’s literary history and beautiful in its own right. Find out more HERE.

 

For a complete list of venues and providers who deliver specialist courses and activities for this subject see below:

Stratford-upon-Avon Picturehouse

Venue Type: 
Media (Film, Television and Radio)
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Stratford's premier cinema.

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British Library

Venue Type: 
Libraries / Archives
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The British Library is a treasure trove of the written word, housing just about every famous manuscript you can think of.

Here you can find:

  • The Gutenburg Bible

  • Caxton's Chaucer

  • Shakespeare's Quartos

  • Magna Carta

  • Lindisfarne Gospels

  • Captain Scott's Diary

  • Leonardo da Vinci's notebook

and of course much, much more.

You can view our online gallery HERE.

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Shakespeare's Birthplace

Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
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This is where the Shakespeare story began.

Shakespeare's Birthplace has been welcoming visitors for over 250 years. This is the house where William Shakespeare was born, grew up and played. He ate meals in the hall and he slept and dreamt in these rooms. Shakespeare also spent the first five years of married life in this house with his new wife, Anne Hathaway.

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Hill Top

Beatrix Potter's 17th-century farmhouse: a time-capsule of her life
Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
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Enjoy the tale of Beatrix Potter by visiting Hill Top. Full of her favourite things, this house appears as if Beatrix had just stepped out for a walk. Every room contains a reference to a picture in a 'tale'.

The lovely cottage garden is a haphazard mix of flowers, herbs, fruit and vegetables. Make your way up the garden path to the front door and see for yourself why Beatrix loved this place. Bought in 1905 with proceeds from her first book, the Tale of Peter Rabbit, she used Hill Top itself and the surrounding countryside as inspiration for many of her subsequent books.

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Penyrheol Theatre

Venue Type: 
Theatres, Music and Performing Arts Venues
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Penyrheol Theatre is situated in the heart of Gorseinon and forms part of Penyrheol Leisure Centre, which is heart of Gorseinon with direct and easy links to Junction 47 of the M4.

Penyrheol Theatre is a community theatre and plays host to a wide range of events and shows every year. These include fashion shows, private functions, plays, talent shows, productions such as High School Musical, Annie and Cinderella as well as the annual Pantomime and Dance Festival.

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JM Barrie's Birthplace

Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
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J M Barrie (1860-1937), the creator of much-loved character Peter Pan and a celebrated novelist and dramatist, was born in this two-storied house on 9 May. School visits are welcome by appointment.

Please contact the property or the Area Manager to arrange a School Visit. The 'Peter Pan Experience' in the house is a favourite with children of all ages, and offers the opportunity to dress up and become Peter or Wendy. Story telling and readings can also be arranged.

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Melford Hall

Discover the stories behind this eclectic home.
Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
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It’s fair to say that Melford Hall has had its share of trials and tribulations, but it’s thanks to many generations from medieval monks to the Hyde Parker family who still live here, that this home still stands.

Around every corner there’s a new twist in the story – from Beatrix Potter sketches to collections of naval paintings and Chinese porcelain – everything tells a story and everyone has left their mark.

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Orange Tree Theatre

Venue Type: 
Theatres, Music and Performing Arts Venues
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The Orange Tree Theatre is a 172-seat theatre which was built specifically as a theatre in the round. It is housed within a disused 1867 primary school, built in Victorian Gothic style.

The theatre was founded in 1971 and exclusively presents its own productions. It also operates an educational programme called Shakespeare for Schools and runs a trainee director scheme.

Education

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Leeds Castle

Discover more than just history
Venue Type: 
Castles
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Leeds Castle welcomes school visits from all over the world, all year round. As part of our charitable mission we offer special subsidised rates to schools from Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Essex and London. 

The new National Curriculum

Leeds Castle has over a thousand years of history, so why not come and visit us for your Local History studies; did you know King Henry VIII stayed here in 1520? An updated workshop entitled ‘Party in the Park’ looks at this significant event.

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Fountains Abbey

Cistercian abbey, elegant Georgian water garden and medieval deer park
Venue Type: 
Religious Buildings
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For centuries people have been drawn to this inspiring place.

From humble beginnings the magnificent abbey was established by devout monks seeking a simpler existence. The atmospheric ruins that remain are a window into a way of life which shaped the medieval world.

When the socially ambitious John Aislabie inherited Studley Royal, he set about creating an elegant water garden of mirror-like ponds, statues and follies, incorporating the romantic ruins into his design.

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