English CPD

A series of CPD articles and downloadable resources to support English teachers' professional development from experts and lead practitioners. Includes ideas and advice on teaching poetry, Shakespeare, vocabulary development and more. 

  • Improving engagement with pre-1900 texts

    Improving engagement with pre-1900 texts

    Published: 05/12/2022

    Pre-1900 literary texts can be challenging for KS3-4 English students. Here are some ideas and classroom resources to engage students and build important comprehension and GCSE exam skills. 

    By: Victoria Walker
  • Translating Shakespeare: how to familiarise students with his language

    Translating Shakespeare: how to familiarise students with his language

    Published: 10/02/2014

    Shakespeare's language often presents a barrier to students' learning. In this suggested approach, author and PGCE course leader Francis Gilbert outlines how modern translations can provide a useful way in.

    By: Francis Gilbert
  • Encouraging more diverse reading experiences

    Encouraging more diverse reading experiences

    Published: 22/06/2022

    Beth Kemp, English teacher and diversity in literature researcher, offers her suggestions for classroom resources and reading recommendations to help you to diversify and enrich your KS3-5 English curriculum.

    By: Beth Kemp
  • Creative, imaginative, descriptive and narrative writing

    Creative, imaginative, descriptive and narrative writing

    Published: 27/01/2022

    Develop KS3-4 English students' confidence and enjoyment in writing for pleasure with a selection of inspiring classroom resources and activities. 

    By: Kate Lee
  • Writing and comparing poems

    Writing and comparing poems

    Published: 15/09/2022

    Trevor Millum, Teachit’s poet in residence, shares some resources to help KS3-4 English students enjoy writing poetry and comparing poems.

    By: Trevor Millum
  • Enriching students' cultural capital

    Enriching students' cultural capital

    Published: 19/09/2019

    Emma Granton and Simon Briggs, Lead English Experts for AQA, share their ideas about how to enrich students' cultural capital in preparation for teaching literature texts at GCSE.

    By: Emma Granton and Simon Briggs