Time and money are always tight, so the idea behind these resources and this website is to save you a bit of both. Bookmark this page now so that when it comes to lesson planning, you can take a minute to browse the resources and see what might be of use to your students. Whether it is a downloadable worksheet, a spot of online revision or some English literature or language-related games or video clips, you can be sure that something will come in handy. It is reassuring to know that the resources come from leading charities, organisations and businesses that are the experts in their field, so it takes the pressure off you. The resources are also carefully and usually explicitly linked to the English national curriculum, so you can be sure they will be relevant. 

GCSE English Revision

Exams will be uppermost in students minds during key stage four, so to prevent them worrying about their AQA or OCR GCSE English examinations, give them some tips from these pages. There are lots of online links to exam papers and coursework examples from each examination board, so depending on the specification they are using, they should always be able to find something of use.

Developing your scheme of work

Your English scheme of work can be enriched by adding materials from diverse sources such as the charities and organisations on this page. Whether it is examples of good writing, or comprehension exercises, you will be sure to find something here that can help. Poems, online games and video clips will also ensure that when you are tackling the same text for the twentieth time, you will be able to add something new to the mix to help keep your teaching ideas fresh and your students engaged.

Pupils at Key Stage 4 will be studying for a GCSE in the subject. Secondary schools will devise schemes of work based on the specification for their chosen examination board. However, the National Curriculum sets down the skills, knowledge and understanding that pupils must be taught in Key Stage 4 as well as the range and content pupils engage with.

Pupils in Key Stage 4 prepare presentations and debates, which may be formal in nature. They take on a range of roles in the formal and formal speaking and listening contexts. Reading texts for pupils in Key Stage 4 may be well-known and those that are frequently referred to and quoted. It is envisaged that reading will give pupils a depth and breadth. A suggested thematic approach, incorporating different periods and genres, can be useful. texts from English literary heritage are recommended, such as works by Mary Shelley, Thomas Hardy, H. G. Wells to name a few. The study of at least one play by Shakespeare is required.

At Key Stage 4, non-fiction and non-literary texts are read and analysed. This may include journalism, essays and multimedia texts that include film and television productions.

When writing, pupils at Key Stage 4 develop ideas and views consistently. They are expected to build themes, imagery and settings in their work when writing to entertain or imagine. It is expected that they will produce different kinds of narrative, play scripts, diaries, information leaflets, review and essays to name a few.