When we first meet the Nurse in Act 1 Sc 3, Lady Capulet dismisses her because she wants to ‘talk in secret’ to her daughter. However, she instantly changes her mind and calls the Nurse back. Perhaps she knows the Nurse is far more likely to influence Juliet. In context, the Nurse would have played […]
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When we are introduced to Friar Lawrence, it is via his soliloquy – a series of oxymoronic statements about the natural world, its ability to heal and to destroy in equal measure. His words are a metaphor for human nature and for the constant battle between good and evil. For me, his words are also […]
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Author: Gwen Nelson The literature NEAs involve a comparison of different texts, linked via a theme, form, or authorial method with application of literary criticism. It is a demanding piece of work which is worth 20% of the A-Level as a whole. There are varying approaches across Centres, with some choosing to use one common […]
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Author: Gwen Nelson Reading a set for exam reports for AS and A-Level for different versions of the A-Level course is no mean feat, but nowhere near as difficult as actually doing the marking and leading a bunch of exhausted assistant examiners. So, to all assistant examiners and team leaders, I thank you for a […]
Read more We’re now three years into what is still being referred to as the ‘new spec’, and students, teachers and examiners have settled into a pattern of expectation: most students know what to do in the exam, teachers teach it and examiners examine it. Something is obviously working because results continue to get better year on […]
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It’s now the third time through the A levels for the new (ish) reformed A level specifications, or the fourth time round if you count the AS exams (which are now sat by just a quarter of those who took them 2 years ago). That usually means that teachers and students are getting more used […]
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In September, when school resumes, new shoes pinch and a seastorm of priorities swirl, the following question is posed to English departments across the country by piranha-like headteachers: how will you help students do better in literature next year? There’s no silver bullet, of course, but some golden advice is contained in examiners’ reports. These […]
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I have noticed that students often don’t know why they are studying English Language or the overall requirements of the final exams they are approaching. They have a vague notion that they have to get a GCSE in English but they have no real idea of what they should be doing or what their everyday […]
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After the dust has settled on results day, an autumn routine should include a forensic study of the Examiners’ Reports. Even the most successful departments will unearth areas for improvement and refinement. From studying the 2019 AQA A Level Drama and Theatre reports, here are my top five takeaways: Avoid the trap of pre-prepared answers […]
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It might seem obvious, but language is all around us. In fact, I’ve bored my classes to tears for years by reminding them of this fact. It’s in the conversations we have, the things we watch and listen to on our phones and in the messages we send each other. “Yes, we know it’s there,” […]
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