Secondary Catalogue

Like all works of literature, ‘Macbeth’ is a reflection of the time in which it was written. This video discusses the historical context of the play, including the ascension of James I, the Globe Theatre and how audiences would have responded to the opening scenes. Valuable insights from experts at the Shakespeare Schools Foundation make this essential viewing for secondary English and Drama students studying the play. Show Less

A central component of the ‘Scottish Play’ is the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. This video explores the shifting nature of their relationship across four key scenes: Act 1, Scene 5; Act 2, Scene 2; Act 2, Scene 3 and Act 3, Scene 2. Valuable insights from experts at the Shakespeare Schools Foundation make this essential viewing for secondary English and Drama students studying the play. Show Less

A central component of the ‘Scottish Play’ is the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. This video explores the nature and deterioration of their relationship in two key scenes: Act 3, Scene 4 and Act 5, Scene 5. Valuable insights from experts at the Shakespeare Schools Foundation make this essential viewing for secondary English and Drama students studying the play. Show Less

At the heart of the ‘Scottish Play’ are the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth and their relationship. This video discusses one of their key scenes - Act 1, Scene 7 – explaining the meaning of the scene and discussing the language used within. Valuable insights from experts at the Shakespeare Schools Foundation make this essential viewing for secondary English and Drama students studying the play. Show Less

Over 400 years after Shakespeare’s death, his plays continue to be studied, discussed and performed around the world. This video delves into the literary devices used in ‘Macbeth’ and its major themes, explaining how they contribute to the timeless nature of the play. Valuable insights from experts at the Shakespeare Schools Foundation make this essential viewing for secondary English and Drama students studying the play. Show Less

The 1930s and ‘40s saw a wave of European film directors emigrate to the US. In the same period, anti-communist hysteria due to Cold War tensions swept across the US and paranoia became commonplace. This video delves into the historical context behind the surveillance and suspicion seen in Alfred Hitchcock’s film ‘Rear Window’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to students studying this film. Show Less

During and after the Second World War, political and nationalistic sentiments saw the burning and removal of books as part of reality. Post-WWII, economic prosperity in the US saw print media give way to new technologies and trends. This video explores the influences on and dystopian elements of Ray Bradbury’s novel ‘Fahrenheit 451’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to students studying this text. Show Less

The period leading up to and following World War II saw both communist and fascist leaders rise to power in Europe. Economic depression and the propaganda prevalent during WWII shaped perspectives on life in Britain during the Cold War period. This video investigates the inspiration behind and dystopian influences on George Orwell’s novel ‘1984’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to students studying this text. Show Less

The lives of women in Victorian Britain were marked by limited opportunities and strict expectations regarding their behaviour. Poor understanding of mental illness and strong beliefs surrounding religious morality influenced society’s perception of women. This programme looks into the real-life background to and Gothic aspects of Charlotte Brontë’s ‘Jane Eyre’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to senior English students studying this text. Show Less

Police approaches towards the investigation of crimes changed greatly in the 19th century. In London, there was an explosion in the number of detectives and true crime stories experienced a surge in popularity. This programme delves into the inspiration for and Gothic features of Arthur Conan Doyle’s ‘The Sign of Four’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to senior English students studying this text. Show Less

Victorian England was heavily shaped by the Industrial Revolution. While some prospered in this society, many others lived gruelling industrial lives from which Christmas offered only a brief reprieve. This programme explores the influences on and Gothic elements of Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to senior English students studying this text. Show Less

The 19th century was a time of shifting morals, behaviours and beliefs. People led secret double lives, leading authors and scientists alike to become fascinated with human psychology. This programme investigates the inspiration behind and Gothic influences on Robert Louis Stevenson’s ‘Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to senior English students studying this text. Show Less

Willy Russell’s ‘Blood Brothers’ chronicles the social circumstances that lead two brothers to tragedy. Although set in the 1960s and 70s, the musical reflects the social issues and attitudes of the time the play was written in the early 1980s. This video examines the historical and social context of the musical and provides a valuable accompaniment to Senior English students studying the film. Show Less

Alan Bennett’s 'The History Boys' is set in 1983, a time when England was rife with class conflict and political reform. This video examines the events and tensions that inform Bennett’s play, from the changing roles of teachers to the social attitudes towards the gay community. It provides a valuable accompaniment to Senior English students studying The History Boys. Show Less

England in the mid-80s was a time of widespread industrial action and social unrest. Striking miners picketed for their jobs, while the gay community fought for their rights. This video explores the historical events and changing social attitudes and gender roles that inform the film ‘Billy Elliot’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to Senior English students studying the film. Show Less

This video explores the basic concept of sentence structure. Gil T. Mann is very close to learning the result of his court trial. The sentence structures contained in his written statement will determine whether he is found guilty, or just plain Gil T. Learners from secondary school age up to adulthood will benefit from this humorous exploration of simple, complex, and run-on sentences, and the value of the humble conjunction. Show Less

Learners can struggle with conjugation and tense agreement. It all sounds like utter linguistic jargon to Gil T. Mann. But these are actually core grammar concepts we use every day when writing English. Gil quickly learns the importance of matching the number of nouns with the correct conjugation of a verb, as well as using consistent verb tenses to get his meaning across on the stand. Will he learn quickly enough to get himself out of trouble? Show Less

This video explores basic grammar questions for learners: When should you use a comma? How do you use quotation marks in your writing to show someone else is speaking? And what on earth is the difference between a colon and a semi-colon, anyway?! Many learners from secondary school age up to adult struggle with these basic grammar concepts. Gil T. Mann shares the same frustrations as he fumbles his way through his written defence statement in court. Will he be able to correctly punctuate his innocence? Show Less

'May Your Pen Grace the Page', written and performed by Luka Lesson. May your pen grace the page at the same pace as your brain May your grey matter From now on No longer be grey May you mean every word that you say And may writing your lines Be the way that you pray Get up Step up Never let up Get your setup Set up Get recording Get stories pouring Ignoring your calling and calling you ‘boring’ Is boring You need to be touring What are you doing - you’re basically stewing No space for day dreaming No place for that feeling No place for pacing the building or facing the ceiling There’s no way that it is dealing Your brain it is stealing And there will be no change to you And there’ll never be any change to that ceiling I’m basically feeling that art isn’t hard What's hard is your heart And it starts in the past, but the past’s in the past So love who you are Pass a rush of blood till your arteries blast And let the blood rush to your arm and let your artistry start May your pen express upon the page every feeling you’re in May your white page – Yang Love your black pen – Yin May the ball in your ball point roll ‘cause that’s the point of the ball And if we can’t make our points then what’s the point of it all? May the lead in your lead-pencil lead you astray We spell it L-E-A-D ‘cause we’ve made leaders this way And I know it’s hard but easy to say But I mean what I say When I say: “Mean what you say” Potentially my pencil be the deftest thing you’ve ever seen Adept at expressing everything that you’ve never seen Especially when you question me My pencil, man, she gets to me She comes to me and comforts me and takes me out to lunch You see We have a cup of coffee Before I know it she’s on top of me She rocking and she’s rolling me We’re touching uncontrollably She likes to switch the roles on me I'm writing with her But she is writing with me It's my life as I desire to be It’s only right that she’s my wife 2B She takes me to her bed of white We try it in the dead of night Pages till we get it right We make love between the sheets May your pen grace the page at the same pace as your brain May your grey matter From now on No longer be grey May you mean every word that you say And may writing your lines be the way that you pray Show Less

'The Tempest', not only Shakespeare’s final play, also his shortest, unfolds before the audience in real time. This video explores a range of dramatic techniques employed, including its structure based around the three unities, exposition, Caliban’s surprising use of verse, soliloquy, Prospero’s frequent asides – even early versions of special effects. An outstanding resource for middle to senior level students of English and Literature. Show Less

Two key characters in 'The Tempest' are Prospero and Caliban. This video explores the relationship between the dominating, magical ruler of the island and his slave, who is dismissed by some as a monster. But both are very complex and conflicted characters, and central to the play’s themes and sub-texts. Middle to senior level students of English and Literature will find this an engaging and informative resource. Show Less

Power is a theme Shakespeare visits throughout 'The Tempest'. This video probes that theme – including Prospero’s supernatural powers and yearning to resume his dukedom, Antonio’s power base in Milan, the murder plot to make Sebastian king of Naples, and more. It also reflects on the personal costs of having power, and surrendering it. Ideal for students of middle to senior level Literature and English. Show Less

Shakespeare was at the height of his success when he wrote The Tempest. This video reveals aspects of the playwright’s life and times that influenced the work, including the ‘discovery’ of new worlds by colonial powers. It also examines the origin and relevance of the masque in Act 4. It is an excellent resource for middle to senior level students of English and Literature. Show Less

A big reason why Pride and Prejudice is considered such an outstanding literary work revolves around the writing style and literary techniques employed by Jane Austen. This programme examines various techniques including her comprehensive use of dialogue, irony and her authorial voice. It gives students of English and Literature a deeper understanding of one of the key literary aspects of this classic novel. Show Less

Jane Austen created a fascinating and engaging range of characters in Pride and Prejudice. This video analyses the character and function of the story’s witty, high-spirited heroine, Elizabeth Bennet, her interactions with the other characters and the complexity of personality traits that make this romantic novel a true classic. It is an engaging and powerful learning resource for students of English and Literature. Show Less