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.

Venues for this Curriculum

The most thought-provoking museum in the Lakes

Coniston is a prime example of a place where nature and history, environment and man meet in a topographical dimension and together generate culture. The Ruskin Museum is Coniston’s Cabinet of Curiosities, which features: a Lake and a Mountain, a Prophet for the Millennium, a real Boy’s Own Hero and Swallows and Amazons.

The Scott Monument is the largest monument to a writer in the world. It commemorates Sir Walter Scott.

There are 287 steps to the top of the Scott Monument, from where you can enjoy breathtaking views of  Edinburgh and the surrounding countryside. Find out about Sir Walter Scott and the monument in the museum room.

Intrepid story-makers enter through the chocolate doors into this great little award-winning and family-friendly Museum. We have two fun and fact-packed biographical galleries and a fantabulous interactive Story Centre.

Explore the town’s history, which stretches from before the Romans to racing cars, aeroplanes, Hammer Horror films and scandals at Cliveden.

Explore the amazingly varied history of Maidenhead at this Heritage Centre with lots of hands-on activities for families.

The permanent Story of Maidenhead exhibition with Roman Dress-Up and other regular family activities is supplemented with five free exhibitions a year in the Sammes Gallery, so there is always something new to see and do.

Prepare for a rare experience!

Cholderton Charlie’s Farm is a unique activity centre on the border of Wiltshire and Hampshire, and an absolute must for animal lovers.

Its Rare Breeds Farm and Education Centre makes it a fantastic place for young people to learn about endangered species and the environment.

Sarehole Mill is one of only two surviving working watermills in Birmingham. The existing building was constructed around 1750, although there was known to be a mill here as early as the Tudor period.

A Mysterical Adventure

Enjoy a mysterical adventure at Hobbledown. Meet our animals, play in the Barn, go down our mine and have fun in the party cottage.

Schools Visits

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